Executive Director, Elite Sports Performance & Athlete Wellness

Placements24; Polokwane; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation package

Health and retirement benefits

State-of-the-art facilities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Director of Sports Performance & Athlete Welfare in Polokwane, Limpopo. You will lead a multidisciplinary team to ensure peak athletic performance and holistic athlete care, integrating sports science, strength & conditioning, nutrition, physiotherapy, and psychology.

The role demands 8+ years in elite sports, a relevant master's or PhD, and a proven track record in injury prevention and return-to-play protocols.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Sports Science, Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years in sports performance and athlete welfare roles within elite/professional sports.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary performance teams.
• Strong knowledge of strength and conditioning, biomechanics, physiology, and nutrition for athletes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive sports performance strategy aligning with club objectives.
• Oversee strength and conditioning programs with personalized, progressive training.
• Lead integration of sports science, medical, and psychological services for holistic athlete care.
• Mentor a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, coaches, physiotherapists, and sport psychologists.
• Establish best practices in injury prevention, rehab, and return‑to‑play protocols.
• Monitor athlete load, fatigue, and well‑being, implementing recovery strategies.
• Collaborate with head coaches to integrate performance strategies into training.
• Manage department budget for equipment, tech, and staffing.
• Stay current with advancements in sports science and athlete welfare.

Skills

Sports science

Leadership

Injury prevention

Data analysis

Biomechanics

Athlete nutrition

Psychological support

Team management

Stakeholder influence

Education

Master's in Sports Science

PhD in Sports Science

Tools

GPS tracking systems

Biomechanical analysis software

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Director of Sports Performance & Athlete Welfare in Polokwane, Limpopo. You will lead a multidisciplinary team to ensure peak athletic performance and holistic athlete care, integrating sports science, strength & conditioning, nutrition, physiotherapy, and psychology.

The role demands 8+ years in elite sports, a relevant master's or PhD, and a proven track record in injury prevention and return-to-play protocols.