High Performance Director

This position has been filled - Job#: 453353313

Job Summary

USA Diving, the National Governing Body for the sport of Diving in the USA, and a proud member of the United States Olympic Committee, seeks candidates for the position of High Performance Director. The High Performance Director devises, directs and leads the implementation of an integrated high performance plan for the USA by leveraging high performance best practices and innovative scientific research in sport science, sport psychology, medicine, management, pedagogy, and sport-specific skills and training. The High Performance Director will work collaboratively with USA’s coaches to develop athletes capable of success at the highest levels of international competition resulting in World and Olympic medal recognition for USA Diving athletes. 

Desired Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Qualifications 

• Proven success in the areas of high performance science, the high performance model, elite programs, elite coaching and elite athletes.
• Knowledge of the complex array of services essential to the creation of a world-class training environment as well as elite athlete and team performance.
• Understanding of the economic impact associated with elite competitions and performance coupled with an ability to use best practices to ensure the highest return on the investment of USA Diving resources.
• Teaming skills needed to create an environment where all USA Diving functions, personnel and services link as a total system to fully support the development and success of the USA Diving athlete.
• Interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with multiple stakeholders including, but not necessarily limited to, the United States Olympic Committee, NCAA, USA Diving Committees, USA Diving CEO, USA Diving Board of Directors, and FINA representatives.
• Strong management, organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to maintain a high level of self-motivation as well as an ability to work under pressure.
• Abilities in strategic planning, plan execution, and plan monitoring to ensure success.
• Demonstrated success working collaboratively with multiple entities to include coaches, elite athletes, sports medicine and sports science professionals, national and international organizations, and resources to support high performance; extensive international diving experience to include World Cup, World Championship, and Olympic levels.
• Recommended Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science, Physical Education, Psychology, Organization Development, or related field from an accredited university.  Preferred Master’s or Ph.D. in relevant area cited above.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for and has direct authority over all technical aspects of members of the USA Diving team and all Podium Center activities and mentor coaches.
• Management of the High Performance Department staff, with direct oversight of the Direction of Education, High Performance Manager and High Performance Athlete Services Coordinator.
• Responsible for the day-to-day management of the USA Diving team including, but not limited to, dealing with team or individual problems as they arise, behavior of the team members, ensuring the team meets the individual and team member requirements and adherence to the USA Diving code of conduct.
• Responsible for assigning duties and responsibilities to coaches, mentor coaches, sports science/ medicine staff and team members as required or appropriate.
• Responsible for ensuring that team personnel and structure operate in such a manner to allow the USA Diving team to achieve optimal results.
• Responsible for specific areas including budget management, reconciliation of accounts including all high performance funds.
• Serve as a high performance spokesperson for the USA Diving, both domestically and internationally, including interaction with the media and at official team functions as needed.
• Serve as an advocate on behalf of USA Diving in support of corporate sponsors and fundraising.
• Assist the USA Diving coaching staff in ensuring all team members receive information which may be relevant to their health and performance at competitions, e.g. drug tests, Safe Sport, etc.
• Attend technical committee meetings as needed.
• Responsible for preparing and sending written periodic update and other reports to key stakeholders relevant to athlete and team status, technical reports, organizational aspects, and performance evaluations of USA Diving.
• Lead and direct USA Diving efforts in the management of the USA Diving High Performance Program and key aspects of the national training program to include standardization of program and services across all National Podium Centers; coordination of National squad; competition program and USA Diving team management; national camps programs; and liaison with Podium Center coaches.

Other Information

The High Performance Director reports to the CEO of USA Diving. Domestic and international travel is required. This is a full time position which includes a competitive salary and benefits. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of USA Diving’s background screening. USA Diving is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all federal, state and local employment laws regarding hiring practices.

This position was previously posted in the summer of 2017. USA Diving has since named Lee Johnson as CEO, and has restructured the High Performance Department, to provide a support system for the High Performance Director to insure long term success.