High-Performance Director

Orlando City SC; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Orlando City SC is seeking a High-Performance Director to lead the Performance and Medical branch, applying evidence-based principles to optimize player habits and career longevity.

The role oversees testing, injury prevention, strength and conditioning, sports science analysis, and return-to-play protocols, collaborating with Elevate, the Team Doctor, and Head Athletic Trainer to align with the club's vision and game objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher in a sports science field with relevant certifications.
• Minimum 5 years in a sports performance environment and 3 years in soccer.
• Candidate must be able to lead technical staff and collaborate with clinical teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead medical and performance department with oversight of testing, injury prevention, and return-to-play.
• Develop strength and conditioning programs for all players.
• Collaborate with clinical staff to design return-to-performance plans.
• Coordinate with coaching staff on training periodization and player readiness.
• Ensure GPS and wellness monitoring are integrated into daily routines.

Skills

Strength Training

Injury Prevention

Sports Science

GPS Monitoring

Team Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology or related field

Master’s Degree (preferred) in related field

Job description

Position Summary/Objective

Are you passionate about optimizing athlete performance and driving a winning Culture? Keep reading because we have a job opportunity for you. The High-Performance Director (HPD) will play a vital role in the professional team's daily operations, serving as a driving force behind the department’s and club’s growth. Using an evidence-based approach, the HPD applies scientific principles to enhance player habits, optimizing performance and career longevity.

Are you passionate about optimizing athlete performance and driving a winning Culture? Keep reading because we have a job opportunity for you. The High-Performance Director (HPD) will play a vital role in the professional team's daily operations, serving as a driving force behind the department’s and club’s growth. Using an evidence-based approach, the HPD applies scientific principles to enhance player habits, optimizing performance and career longevity.

The HPD will have full oversight of the Performance and Medical branch, ensuring a safe, positive, and high-performing environment. Key responsibilities include conducting soccer-specific testing, implementing injury prevention strategies, designing strength and conditioning programs, managing sports science analysis, and overseeing on-field return-to-play protocols. Additionally, the HPD will collaborate closely with Elevate, the Head Athletic Trainer, and the Team Doctor to develop the most effective return-to-performance plans.

Beyond performance and medical duties, the HPD will support the Head Coach and technical staff in refining the team’s tactical periodization methodology in alignment with the club’s vision and philosophy. While responsibilities may evolve, the following itemized list outlines the core aspects of this role in further detail.

General Responsibilities

• Always promote a professional image of the club and the High-Performance Director position.
• Identifying and taking initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the department, staff and services delivered.
• Maintain and develop appropriate electronic record-keeping practices for the benefit of the club.
• Work with and support other team members as required, ensuring effective and efficient service is developed and delivered.
• Treat others with dignity and respect.
• Understand and be committed to the Club’s mission, vision, core values, key relationships and goals.

KEY Responsibilities

• Provide Technical Staff & management with required information through consistent reporting and communication.
• Enforce team and league rules applicable to the team’s players and/or coaching staff. Fitness & Nutrition
• Expected to contribute to the health and safety of the working environment in a supervisory capacity.
• Work with all NMU-signed players, as well as academy-contracted players and trialists to ensure that everyone is physically prepared to compete and succeed at the level of play necessary.
• Liaise with the Sporting Director, Head Coach, and first-team staff concerning daily/weekly training plans for teams/players.
• Actively lead in all professional training sessions, fitness work and weight room sessions.
• Actively plan, lead and collaborate with Elevate, Head Athletic Trainers, later stage rehabilitation and return to play protocol for injured players.
• Assist the Sports Medicine staff in player evaluations and plan of care design.
• Prepare individual strength and conditioning programs for all players and monitor/measure progress on a regular basis with testing – redesign programs to achieve desired results. Teach correct techniques and methods with all physical activities.
• Be responsible for all players’ strength and conditioning programs both collectively and individually.
• Plan, coordinate, monitor and deliver individualized injury prevention programs for all players.
• Prescribe specific individual training/nutritional programs to all players based on their physical profiles (e.g. muscle imbalance, high body fat levels, etc.).
• Plan, prepare and implement team and individual pre-season/off-season break fitness programs to maximize fitness levels.
• Ensure that all players are monitored before, during, and after training sessions using GPS and heart rate monitors.
• Implement, analyze, and report the use of GPS monitoring systems to aid in injury prevention and ensure an optimal training environment.
• Organize and implement daily Wellness Questionnaires to track physical well-being and aid in injury prevention.
• Coordinate with technical staff to develop training periodization based on the upcoming game schedule to optimize training days, regen days, and off days to aid in on-field training and match day performance.
• Make sure that all players are educated in and actively involved with post-training and post-match recovery strategies and to monitor effectiveness.
• Develop/implement suitable methods to monitor and evaluate individuals and team’s fitness progress and current training programs.
• Coach, monitor, educate, motivate and report on the following areas for all players: strength training, plyometrics, speed development, conditioning, flexibility, injury prevention and nutrition.
• Coordinate all regeneration strategies when traveling to ensure optimal recovery for subsequent games.
• Lead and supervise performance-training sessions including daily movement preparation and cooldowns.
• Communicate with the sports medicine staff regarding injured and/or rehabilitating players to modify and individualize strength and conditioning programs.
• Comply with all USL medical policies, protocol and game operations manual.
• Actively lead all professional pre-match, during match, and post-match fitness work and nutrition protocols.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree or Masters in Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology or related sports science program.
• Preferred Certifications:
• CSCS
• NASM
• PES
• Exos XPS

Experience

• At least 5 years post-graduate working in a Sports Performance environment
• At least 3 years of Soccer experience at the collegiate or professional level.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.