Academy Head of Sports Science

About the role

The Academy Head of Sports Science leads the collection, analysis and presentation of player health and performance data for the club’s academy. Working within Team Operations, the role partners with Strength & Conditioning, medical staff and coaches to safeguard player wellbeing and enhance on‑field performance.

Key responsibilities

• Manage all incoming sports science data streams, including in‑training and in‑game tracking, and develop reporting structures.
• Integrate performance and medical datasets, ensuring data quality and consistency.
• Collect, analyse and present data on player health and performance, providing clear feedback to players and staff.
• Design, modify and apply assessment protocols to evaluate sport demands and player capabilities.
• Conduct performance testing, workload monitoring and weight‑room physical testing within certification scope.
• Collaborate with Strength & Conditioning to create individualized activation and strength training sessions.
• Educate and counsel players on performance‑improvement strategies.
• Support on‑field warm‑ups, rehabilitation sessions and maintain weight‑room equipment and rules.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Sports Science or a related field (required).
• Master’s or Ph.D. in Sports Science (highly preferred).
• Minimum three years of professional or collegiate experience, preferably in MLS or another elite‑level soccer organization.
• Relevant certifications in performance and sports science (as required by scope of practice).

Required skills

• Data collection and management.
• Data analysis and visualization.
• Performance testing and workload monitoring.
• Integration of performance and medical datasets.
• Design and implementation of assessment protocols.