Head of Athletic Performance

Placements24; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonus

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

Retirement savings plan with company 1

Professional development opportunities

Access to state-of-the-art facilities

Relocation assistance may be available

Job summary

Placements24 is partnering with a prestigious sporting organization in Gauteng to appoint a Head of Athletic Performance in Tembisa. This senior role drives elite athlete development through evidence-based training, monitoring, and interdisciplinary collaboration with coaches, medical staff, and sports scientists.

The candidate will lead a team, implement cutting-edge performance protocols, and oversee injury prevention, nutrition guidance, and recovery strategies to push peak athletic potential.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Exercise Science, Sports Physiology, Kinesiology, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years in athletic performance, with 5+ years in leadership.
• Proven track record developing elite athlete programs.
• Extensive knowledge of biomechanics, physiology, and injury management.
• Certification from CSCS/SCCC/ASCA or equivalent.
• Experience with athlete monitoring systems and performance analysis software.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build relationships with athletes, coaches, and staff.
• Experience in Tembisa or similar competitive environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage comprehensive athletic performance programs for all athletes.
• Lead and mentor a team of strength and conditioning coaches, scientists, and staff.
• Oversee athlete testing, monitoring, and data-driven training adjustments.
• Design evidence-based strength, conditioning, speed, agility, and endurance protocols.
• Develop injury prevention and rehab strategies in collaboration with medical staff.
• Manage department budget and resources effectively.
• Stay updated with research and tech in sports science.
• Collaborate with head coaches to align performance and team strategy.
• Educate athletes and coaches on nutrition, recovery, and mental conditioning.
• Maintain detailed records of progress and injury status.
• Ensure safe use of training equipment and facilities.

Skills

Leadership

Sports science

Biomechanics

Nutrition

Athlete monitoring

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Exercise Science

PhD in related field

Tools

Athlete monitoring systems

Performance analysis software

Data analytics tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prestigious sporting organization based in **Tembisa, Gauteng**, is actively seeking a visionary and highly qualified Head of Athletic Performance to lead its athlete development programs. This senior leadership position is crucial for optimizing the physical capabilities and overall well-being of our athletes across all disciplines. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing cutting-edge training methodologies, injury prevention strategies, and performance enhancement protocols. This role demands a blend of scientific expertise, practical application, and strong leadership acumen. The Head of Athletic Performance will work closely with coaches, medical staff, and sports scientists to ensure a holistic approach to athlete care and performance. We are looking for an individual with a profound understanding of sports physiology, biomechanics, and nutrition, coupled with a passion for pushing the boundaries of human performance. Join us in **Tembisa, Gauteng** and help shape the future of elite sports by nurturing talent and achieving peak athletic potential. This is a unique opportunity to manage a team of dedicated professionals and drive innovation in athletic science.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive athletic performance programs for all athletes.
• Lead and mentor a team of strength and conditioning coaches, sports scientists, and other performance staff.
• Oversee athlete testing, monitoring, and data analysis to track progress and inform training adjustments.
• Design and implement evidence-based strength, conditioning, speed, agility, and endurance training protocols.
• Develop and implement effective injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies in collaboration with medical personnel.
• Manage the athletic performance department's budget, ensuring efficient resource allocation.
• Stay abreast of the latest research and technological advancements in sports science and athletic performance.
• Collaborate closely with head coaches to ensure alignment between performance programs and team strategies.
• Educate athletes and coaches on best practices in nutrition, recovery, and mental conditioning.
• Maintain detailed records of athlete progress, training loads, and injury status.
• Ensure the safe and effective use of all training equipment and facilities.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Exercise Science, Sports Physiology, Kinesiology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in athletic performance, with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing a team.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing high-performance programs for elite athletes.
• Extensive knowledge of biomechanics, physiology, exercise prescription, and injury management.
• Certification from a recognized professional body (e.g., CSCS, SCCC, ASCA).
• Experience with athlete monitoring systems and performance analysis software.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships with athletes, coaches, and staff.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in **Tembisa, Gauteng** or similar competitive sports environments is preferred.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as required by training schedules.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and bonus structure.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Retirement savings plan with company match.
• Professional development opportunities, including conference attendance and certifications.
• Access to state-of-the-art training facilities and equipment.
• Relocation assistance may be available.
• Dynamic and collaborative work culture focused on athlete success.