Performance Coach

Theriseofwomensfootball; Whippany (NJ); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision

Employee 401(k)

Job summary

Gotham FC is seeking a Performance Coach to support the Head of Performance. This in-person role focuses on elite coaching execution, weight room leadership, and athlete development for first-team and academy players.

Travel up to 25% is required, with duties centered at our Whippany facilities in New Jersey. The ideal candidate holds a Master’s in Exercise Science, NSCA CSCS, and 3+ years of NCAA DI/DII or pro environment experience, plus strong communication and adaptability.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Exercise Science, Physiology, Strength and Conditioning or related field is required.
• CSCS certification from NSCA is required.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute team strength, speed and power sessions for first-team players.
• Assist design of team and individual performance programs.
• Implement periodized lifting blocks and adjust programs for injuries or symptoms.
• Maintain safe, clean weight room environment and educate players on movements.

Skills

Session leadership

Communication skills

Adaptability

Athlete development

Education

Master’s degree in Exercise Science

CSCS Certification

Job description

Job Description

NJ/NY Gotham FC (“Gotham FC” or “the Club”) is a National Women’s Soccer League (“NWSL”) team representing New Jersey and New York. The team plays at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ. At Gotham FC, we don’t just play soccer; we set trends, challenge the status quo, and lead with bold creativity. While our roots are grounded in the tradition of the beautiful game, everything else about us is fiercely original. We’re here to redefine expectations, break boundaries, and build something that hasn’t been done before. If you’re ready to push the limits and make an impact, you belong at Gotham FC!

The Role

Gotham FC is seeking an energetic, highly technical, and floor-focused Performance Coach (alternatively titled Strength & Conditioning Coach or Athlete Development Coach) to serve as the assistant to the Head of Performance. This role is dedicated to the elite execution of team performance training sessions, youth development alignment, and individual coaching.

This position requires up to 25% travel schedule, primarily remaining at our home training facilities and will manage field-based Return to Play (RTP) when the Head of Performance travels full-time. This role focuses purely on elite coaching execution, weight room floor leadership, and exceptional athlete development.

Key Responsibilities:

Athletic Coaching and Management

• Gym Session Execution: Assist the Head of Performance during first-team strength, speed, and power lifting blocks. In the absence of the Head of Performance, will lead both team based and individual lifting, activation, recovery, and mobility-based sessions.
• Program Design: Assist the Head of Performance with team-based in and individual player performance programming to support athletic development.
• Program Implementation: Execute the periodized team lifting blocks and individualized programs while making adjustment to programs in the presence of symptoms or injuries.
• Facility Care & Environment: Maintain a clean, organized, and safe weight room environment, ensuring all player-focused training spaces reflect top-tier professional standards.
• Player Trust & Education: Build authentic, trusted relationships with athletes on the gym floor. Educate players daily on proper mechanics, intent, and the physical benefits of their specific programming to drive maximum buy-in.

Return to Play (RTP)

• Interim RTP Management: Assume responsibility of field-based and gym-based Return to Play (RTP) sessions for rehabbing athletes whenever the Head of Performance is traveling.
• Medical & Rehab Liaison: Partner directly with the Medical Staff and Rehab Specialists on-site to support program adjustments or symptoms management during performance training programs.
• Workload Progression Coordination: Utilize GPS and wearable targets left by the Team Sport Scientist and Head of Performance to carefully step up physical workloads for non-traveling or injured players.
• Up to 25% Travel Rotation: Provide high-level performance support during designated first-team travel blocks ensuring a flawless continuum of care on the road.

Pathway Execution (Gotham 2 & Academy Integration)

• Youth Pathway Coaching: Assist the Head of Performance and act as a performance coaching link to Gotham 2 and Academy teams to support talent development.
• Baseline Standards: Ensure the club’s unified physical development framework is implemented across youth ranks to prepare prospects for senior demands.

Operations & Logistics Assistance

• Supply & Inventory Support: Assist the Head of Performance by conducting routine inventories of supplies and gym equipment, helping compile order requests for the VP of Performance and Medical.
• Equipment Maintenance: Perform regular safety and operational checks on all weight room training hardware, gym technologies, and tracking equipment.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions throughout the year.
• Flexibility to work nights, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather events as needed.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, stoop, and sit for extended periods.
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree: Must hold a Master’s degree in Exercise Science, Physiology, Strength and Conditioning, or a closely related field.
• CSCS Certification: Required Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) credential from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPSS Certification: Certified Performance and Sport Scientist (CPSS) credential from the NSCA is preferred.
• Soccer Background: Previous experience coaching within elite youth academy, collegiate, or professional soccer environments is highly preferred.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Professional Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience as a performance coach, strength and conditioning coach, or athlete development coach within a highly structured collegiate athletic program (NCAA DI/DII preferred) or professional sports team setting.
• Proven Session Leadership: Exceptional, demonstrable experience commanding the floor and confidently leading large group/team physical development sessions.
• Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal communication skills with an innate ability to connect with elite athletes, breakdown movement patterns simply, and work collaboratively across a multidisciplinary medical staff.
• Adaptability: Comfortable maintaining a high standard of coaching excellence while shifting fluidly between first-team, reserve squad, and rehab-specific athlete profiles.

Location

This position is fully in-person, based at Gotham FC’s soccer operations office and practice facility, currently located in Whippany, New Jersey. Gotham FC requires its employees to live in its market, that is, within reasonable commuting distance of Gotham FC’s office, practice facility, and Sports Illustrated Arena.

Gotham FC is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. We are committed to broadening the pool of qualified talent for consideration, including those who have been historically underrepresented. We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply.

Job type:

This is a temporary, full-time position through December 31, 2026, with the possibility of conversion to a permanent full-time role.

Salary range:

$80,000 – $100,000 annual

Benefits

Medical, Dental & Vision benefit plans available for Employee and Family, Employee-funded 401(k) option.

This job description is a broad summary of the essential job functions and general duties for this position, the additional job duties that may be required from time to time, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. The person in this role may be required to and must be willing to perform other duties as assigned, to meet organizational needs. This job description may be modified from time to time, at the sole discretion of Gotham FC. This employee must follow and enforce all policies and procedures formulated by Gotham FC and be a role model for the organization.

The existence of this job description does not modify the employee’s “at-will” status. That is, unless a signed employment contract specifying a term of employment exists between Gotham FC and the employee or his/her/their representative, both Gotham FC and the employee will have the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without reason or notice, unless otherwise prohibited by law.

Tagged as: Coach, Full Time, Leadership & Management, Performance, women's football