Head of Sports Science and Nutrition

Job Summary

• Using best-practice scientific principles, devise on-field training programs including power, speed, change of direction and aerobic fitness and deliver them accordingly to prepare players for the demands of training and match-play.


• Together with the Director of Sports Performance, design and develop a holistic monitoring system to individually monitor each player within the team and micro-manage those players to mitigate injury risk and optimize player health, well-being and readiness.


• Identify and prescribe a loading strategy that complements the game style of the head-coach and the technical staff to enhance the physical profile of each player.


• Manage the collection, storage and analysis of player data and provide effective feedback to key stakeholders within the organization.


• Travel with the first-team; responsible for competitive match physical preparation and delivery of recovery practices.


• Establish a nutritional strategy that complements the physical demands of training and games.


• Develop and implement individualized evidence-based nutrition and hydration strategies for first-team players.


• Deliver continuous assessment of player body composition through best-practice assessments.


• Develop an Educational Resource/Program for players in areas such as Nutrition, Lifestyle, Preparation and Recovery to complement existing education provided by coaches and performance department staff.


• Work with Head of Strength and Conditioning to design and deliver pre-training preparation strategies and off-field conditioning programs, with a focus on understanding the load demands of the whole program.

• Master’s Degree in Sports / Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Sports Nutrition or a related field and CSCS certification.


• Minimum of 5 years of experience working with elite athletes in a high-performance sporting environment.


• A thorough understanding of the holistic needs of professional soccer players and coaches.


•  Knowledge of sports science, strength and conditioning science, sports nutrition and sports medicine disciplines.


• Proven ability to collaborate successfully as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team to solve performance problems.


• Experience of management of athletes in individual and group settings.


• Expertise in U.S. soccer and an understanding of the MLS schedule would be advantageous.


• Experience of maintaining databases and working with athlete monitoring systems.


• Proficient in use of common sports science technological equipment / software (GPS, Heart rate, Jump testing, skinfold calipers).


• A very good understanding of scientific methods of trialing and validating assessment, monitoring and evaluation equipment and protocols.


• Ability to communicate information in a manner that is easily understood by a range of audiences.


• A critical thinker, receptive to feedback and willing to learn.


• Creative, dynamic and enthusiastic personality.


• Motivational coaching style; ability to demonstrate and role model appropriately.


• Pro-active with excellent organizational and time-management skills.