Senior Football Performance Coach

Placements24; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

Health insurance

Pension fund

Holiday allowance

Professional development

Training facilities

Team travel

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Football Performance Coach in Sandton, Gauteng, to elevate first-team players through advanced strength and conditioning, injury resilience, and performance optimization. You will lead periodized programs, collaborate with medical staff, and drive evidence-based training aligned with tactical aims and travel schedules.

This on-site role requires elite experience and strong leadership.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• International CSCS or ASCA accreditation.
• 7+ years as Strength & Conditioning Coach, with 5+ years in professional football.
• Proven experience designing elite-level periodized training programs.
• Expertise in athlete assessment, performance monitoring & data analysis.
• Strong understanding of football biomechanics & injury mechanisms.
• Excellent leadership & communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure & manage priorities.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends & travel with the team.

Responsibilities

• Design and oversee periodized strength and conditioning programs for professional footballers.
• Conduct physical assessments to monitor development and identify injury risks.
• Collaborate with medical staff on rehab and return-to-play strategies.
• Educate players on nutrition, recovery and injury prevention.
• Analyze training data to optimize load and performance.
• Stay updated with research, technologies and methodologies in football performance science.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with players, coaching staff and sports medicine personnel.
• Ensure safe and effective use of all training equipment and facilities.
• Contribute to the club's performance strategy and player development pathway.

Skills

Athlete assessment

Performance monitoring

Data analysis

Football biomechanics

Leadership & communication

Education

Master's degree in Sports Science / Exercise Physiology / Kinesiology

CSCS or ASCA Level 2/3 accreditation

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly reputable professional football club in Sandton, Gauteng, is seeking an experienced Senior Football Performance Coach. This critical role focuses on enhancing the physical capabilities, injury resilience, and overall athletic performance of the club's first-team players. You will work closely with the head coach, medical staff, and sports scientists to develop and implement bespoke training programs that align with the team's tactical approach and competitive schedule. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of sports science principles, a proven track record in elite football player development, and exceptional leadership skills. This is an on-site position requiring dedication to the physical well-being and peak performance of professional athletes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and oversee comprehensive, periodized strength and conditioning programs for professional footballers.
• Conduct thorough physical assessments to monitor player development, identify potential injury risks, and inform training adjustments.
• Collaborate with the medical team to ensure seamless integration of rehabilitation protocols and safe return-to-play strategies.
• Educate players on optimal nutrition, recovery techniques, and injury prevention strategies.
• Analyze training data to optimize player load management and performance outcomes.
• Stay current with the latest research, technologies, and methodologies in football performance science.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with players, coaching staff, and sports medicine personnel.
• Ensure the safe and effective use of all performance training equipment and facilities.
• Contribute to the club's overall performance strategy and player development pathway.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Sports Science, Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, or a related field.
• Accreditation from a recognized international Strength and Conditioning body (e.g., CSCS, ASCA Level 2/3).
• Minimum of 7 years of experience as a Strength and Conditioning Coach, with at least 5 years specifically within professional football.
• Proven experience in designing and managing elite-level periodized training programs.
• Expertise in athlete assessment, performance monitoring, and data analysis.
• Strong understanding of football-specific biomechanics, physiology, and injury mechanisms.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and travel with the team.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive private health insurance.
• Significant contribution to a pension fund.
• Generous holiday and leave allowance.
• Professional development opportunities and conference attendance.
• Access to world-class training facilities and technology.
• Opportunity to work with a leading football club and contribute to its success.