Sports Performance Coach, Olympic Sports

Duke University; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University is seeking a highly skilled Sports Performance Coach to elevate Duke student‑athletes through evidence‑based training, recovery, and performance programs. You will collaborate across coaching, athletic training, and sports medicine to optimize strength, speed, mobility, and sport‑specific performance while upholding standards of excellence and integrity.

You will design programs for diverse sports, monitor progress with data, and guide rehab and return‑to‑play, while ensuring

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field is required.
• Minimum of two years as a sports performance coach at collegiate or professional level.
• NSCA CSCS or CSCCa SCCC certification and CPR/First Aid certification.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive sports performance programs for varsity teams and student‑athletes.
• Develop individualized and team‑based strength and conditioning plans supporting performance goals.
• Create and oversee recovery, mobility, and development programs to reduce injury risk.
• Collaborate with sports medicine staff and athletic trainers on rehab and return‑to‑play protocols.
• Monitor athlete progress and adjust training based on data and sport needs.
• Assist in scheduling and coordinating team training sessions and facilities usage.
• Oversee daily operations of training facilities, ensuring safety and high performance.
• Manage administrative responsibilities and special projects supporting departmental objectives.
• Build strong relationships with athletes and coaches, promoting accountability and growth.
• Ensure compliance with NCAA, conference, university, and departmental policies.

Skills

Strength and conditioning principles

Athletic performance development

Injury prevention strategies

Program design and implementation

Communication and relationship‑buildin

Data‑driven training decisions

Multi‑tasking in collegiate athletics

NCAA compliance understanding

Education

Master’s Degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Health Sciences or related field

Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Health Sciences or related field

Current NSCA CSCS or CSCCa SCCC certification

CPR/First Aid Certification

Job description

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Sports Performance Coach, Olympic Sports

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Requisition Number: 276191

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date: Oct 16, 2026

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Sports Performance Coach, Olympic Sports

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As a Sports Performance Coach, you will play an integral role in helping Duke student-athletes maximize their athletic potential through innovative training, performance enhancement, and recovery programs. You'll join a collaborative team dedicated to developing championship-level athletes while fostering an environment of excellence, integrity, and inclusion.

Be Bold.

As a Sports Performance Coach, you will have the opportunity to make a direct impact on the success, health, and development of Duke student-athletes. Working closely with coaches, athletic trainers, sports medicine professionals, and athletics leadership, you'll design and implement evidence-based performance programs that enhance strength, speed, endurance, mobility, and sport-specific performance.

What You'll Do:

• Design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive sports performance programs for assigned varsity athletic teams and student-athletes.
• Develop individualized and team-based strength and conditioning plans that support athletic performance goals.
• Create and oversee recovery, mobility, and physical development programs that reduce injury risk and improve overall athletic readiness.
• Collaborate with sports medicine staff and athletic trainers to support student-athlete rehabilitation and return-to-play protocols.
• Monitor athlete progress and adjust training programs based on performance data, assessments, and sport-specific needs.
• Assist in scheduling and coordinating team training sessions to ensure efficient use of sports performance resources and facilities.
• Help oversee daily operations of sports performance training facilities, maintaining a safe, organized, and high-performance environment.
• Manage assigned administrative responsibilities and special projects that support departmental objectives.
• Build positive relationships with student-athletes and coaches while promoting a culture of accountability, resilience, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure full compliance with NCAA, conference, university, and departmental policies, procedures, and regulations.

What You'll Bring:

• Knowledge of strength and conditioning principles, athletic performance development, and injury prevention strategies.
• Ability to design and implement performance training programs tailored to a variety of sports and athlete populations.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills with student-athletes, coaches, and interdisciplinary partners.
• Experience monitoring athlete performance and utilizing data to inform training decisions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced collegiate athletics environment.
• Commitment to student-athlete well-being, safety, and holistic development.
• Understanding of NCAA compliance standards and collegiate athletics operations.

Choose Duke.

At Duke, you'll be part of a nationally recognized athletics program and one of the world's leading academic institutions. You'll work alongside passionate professionals who are committed to excellence, innovation, and student success. Duke provides an environment where you can grow your career, contribute to meaningful outcomes, and help student-athletes perform at their highest level both on and off the field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Health Sciences or related field
• 5 years as a sports performance coach at the collegiate or professional level

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Health Sciences or related field.

Experience

Minimum of two years as a sports performance coach at the collegiate or professional level; Current NSCA CSCS or CSCCa SCCC certification; Current CPR/First Aid Certification

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Nearest Major Market: DurhamNearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.