What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr. Director of High Performance position at Real Salt Lake?
The Utah Royals FC, Real Salt Lake (RSL), and RSL Training Academy are dedicated to the growth and success of soccer in Utah. The Utah Royals FC is committed to empowerment, while RSL represents the state with pride and fosters a winning culture. The RSL Training Academy nurtures young athletes and instills values of discipline and teamwork. Together, they are committed to inspiring the soccer culture of Utah and creating lasting impressions one winning experience at a time.
SUMMARY
The Senior Director of High Performance must oversee all Real Salt Lake, Real Monarchs, and RSL Academy performance and health needs. This includes both the hiring and management of Sports Medicine Personnel and Performance Personnel, as well as assisting in the management of team-associated care provided through the teams’ medical provider(s).\This contract position is full -time, with limited traveling.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
- Manage all organizational-wide health and performance needs and initiatives.
- Assist in the management of the relationship with teams’ medical provider(s).
- Oversee and implement the teams’ performance, rehabilitation, and injury prevention processes, protocols, and procedures
- Attend training sessions and matches for Real Salt Lake, Real Monarch, and RSL Academy as needed to ensure staff is providing and coordinating all necessary medical coverage at each event.
- Create fully integrated medical/performance units inside each team with a unified philosophical approach that is process-driven and based upon best practices and scientific data.
- Manage teams. Sports medicine staff (i.e. Head Athletic Trainer(s), Director(s) of Performance, and physicians) as they develop and implement medical treatment injury prevention, and rehabilitation protocols and procedures, and to ensure compliance with leagues’ rules, regulations and best practices.
- Work with teams’ Sporting Director(s) and VP of HR to create yearly unit and departmental systems of review and evaluations based upon subjective data and goa setting.
- Work with teams; Director(s) of Performance and Head Athletic Trainer(s) to hire and manage all Performance Nutritional, Massage Therapy, Sports Psychology, Athletic Training, and other medical care-related staff.
- Ensure that an organization-wide database of treatment logs, injuries and medical needs of each player is thoroughly kept and regularly reviewed.
- Assist in working with medical provider(s) to ensure medical billing for each team is correctly billed and accounts are settled.
- Consistently communicate with and manage teams’ Head(s) of Athletic Training as it pertains to all injuries, treatments, and return-to-play protocols for each athlete.
- Review daily medical reports for each team.
- Work with Soccer Operations Department(s) to manage teams’ Performance, Nutrition, Sports Medicine, and Athletic Training operating budget(s).
- Ensure each team’s medical/performance staff is following and in compliance with all state, National, National, and league requirements with regard to certifications, training and education – including traveling to league meetings and participating in continuing education courses.
- Seek out cutting-edge techniques, technologies, and knowledge that can be brought to assist and/or improve RSL. Attend conferences (including internationally), as needed to represent the organization.
- Other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS
- Certification in Athletic Training (ATC)
- Strength and Conditioning (CSCS), or equivalent related certification.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Sports Medicine, Exercise Science, Athletic Training, or Physical Therapy).
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in sports medicine and/or high-performance roles within professional sports organizations (preferably in soccer or similar team sports).
- Demonstrated experience in managing and supervising multidisciplinary medical and performance staff (including athletic trainers, sports nutritionists, massage therapists, and sports psychologists).
- Experience in designing and implementing injury prevention and rehabilitation protocols, as well as performance enhancement initiatives.
- Experience in managing departmental budgets, staffing, and performance reviews.
- Familiarity with advanced performance monitoring tools (e.g., GPS tracking, heart rate variability, motion analysis) and cutting-edge recovery technologies.
- Knowledge of league and state regulations regarding sports medicine practices and performance management.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
- Detail-oriented mindset with a focus on quality, safety, and compliance.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and travel as required by team schedule.
- Ability to pass a background check and become safe sport certified.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in Sports Science, Sports Medicine, or a related field.
- Certified Performance Sports Specialist (CPSS) Certification.
- Prior experience working directly with a Major League Soccer (MLS) team or equivalent sports organization.
- Fluency in additional languages (Spanish, etc.) is a plus, given the diverse makeup of soccer teams and their players.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The job requires regularly lifting/pushing up to 50 pounds, occasional lifting/pushing/exerting heavy force (ability to demonstrate exercises, ability to act as a weightlifting spotter). The job involves running, standing, stooping, bending, lifting, pushing, typing, etc.
Real Salt Lake provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.
Note: The need may arise to revise, supplement, or rescind portions of this job description, and RSL reserves the right to do so at any time. Employees shall be required to meet the qualifications and perform the duties of any revised job description.
