Summary:
Reporting to the SDFC Head of Human Performance, with a dotted-line relationship to the SDFC EVP, Head of Academy, the Head of Academy Human Performance leads the delivery of the Right to Dream strategy, performance standards, and clinical governance across all aspects of Academy human performance, including medical care, rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, sports science, nutrition, and mental performance.
Operating within a fully funded, residential academy environment for student-athletes, this role is responsible for ensuring players are healthy, available, and physically prepared to meet the demands of the game, while prioritizing individual growth, maturation, and long-term wellbeing. The position requires extensive experience working within an integrated performance and medical program, with the ability to align multidisciplinary teams, establish consistent standards of care, and translate performance science into daily practice.
As a key link between the Academy, SDFC’s first-team Human Performance department, and the broader Right to Dream network, the Head of Academy Human Performance ensures a connected, evidence-based approach to player development and supports a seamless transition for players throughout the pathway. The role works in close partnership with Academy leadership, coaching and education staff, medical providers, and external performance partners to create an environment where each player can reach their full potential on and off the pitch.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategy and Leadership
- Design, implement and continually review the Academy Performance and Medicine strategy and annual plan, aligned to the Right to Dream development model, the Academy playing philosophy and the first-team performance model.
- Lead, manage and develop a multidisciplinary team of athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, sports scientists, nutrition and mental performance practitioners, setting clear objectives, standards of practice and individual development plans.
- Build a high-performing, inclusive department culture that reflects the Right to Dream Manifesto and San Diego FC values.
- Lead department CPD, onboarding and employee reviews, and contribute to the Academy leadership team.
- Liase efficiently with all key stakeholders about each student athletes physical status; Academy Performance Coaches and Trainers, Academy Football Coaches, Parents, Physicans and Specialists etc.
- Lead recruitment, development, and evaluation of performance department personnel together with the Head of Human Performance.
- Support the residential program in line with that of the wider Academy Footballing Department.
- Support research and innovation initiatives
Medical Care and Clinical Governance
- Work alongside the Academy team physician(s) and Club medical team to maintain clear clinical governance, referral pathways and medical decision-making authority.
- Ensure the highest standard of pitch-side and emergency care for training, matches and travel, including venue-specific Emergency Action Plans, emergency equipment and staff certifications.
- Oversee injury and illness management, rehabilitation and return-to-play processes, including concussion management in line with MLS, MLS NEXT and California requirements.
- Lead pre-participation medical and cardiac screening and periodic musculoskeletal screening for all Academy players.
- Coordinate residential health provision (on-call cover, illness management, medication protocols and links with local healthcare providers) in partnership with Residential Life and Player Care.
Physical Development and Sports Science
- Oversee age-appropriate, individualized physical development programs (strength, speed, power, agility, endurance and movement competency) across all age groups.
- Lead the Academy growth and maturation program, including regular anthropometric testing, maturity-offset monitoring and bio-banding, and ensure maturation status informs training load, injury-risk management and player development conversations.
- Implement and govern athlete monitoring systems (GPS/load, wellness, physical testing) and turn data into clear, actionable insight for coaches and staff.
- Drive injury surveillance, trend analysis and prevention strategies to maximize player availability and durability.
Nutrition, Wellbeing and Mental Performance
- Ensure residential nutrition provision supports growth, health and performance, working with the performance nutritionist and food service team.
- Partner with Player Care, Education and Safeguarding to support player mental health and wellbeing, with clear referral pathways to licensed professionals.
- Ensure players and staff receive anti-doping education in line with MLS and USADA requirements.
Integration and Communication
- Provide daily player availability updates and take part in multidisciplinary reviews with coaching, education, player care and recruitment staff, contributing to each player’s Individual Development Plan.
- Advise Academy leadership on performance and medical considerations affecting player progression, playing up or down, and transition to professional environments.
- Align with first-team Performance and Medicine on philosophy, protocols, data systems and player transitions.
- Communicate clearly and sensitively with players and parents/guardians, including international families, on player health and welfare.
- Share and adopt best practice across the global Right to Dream network.
Compliance, Data and Continuous Improvement
- Ensure compliance with MLS, MLS NEXT, U.S. Soccer and Club policies, including safeguarding (U.S. Center for SafeSport and mandated-reporter obligations), health and safety, and applicable health-information privacy laws.
- Maintain accurate, secure electronic medical and performance records, with appropriate consent and access controls.
- Use audit, KPIs and review to drive continuous improvement in medical and performance outcomes.
Qualifications:
Candidates may meet the qualifications for this role through a combination of education, experience, and relevant skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science, Sports Performance, Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, or a related field; advanced degree (Master’s, Doctorate, DPT, or equivalent) preferred.
- Current BLS/CPR and AED certification, with advanced emergency or trauma care certification or willingness to obtain.
- SafeSport training, HIPAA compliance, and satisfactory background check required.
- Preferred certifications include CSCS or equivalent, Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS) or equivalent, and leadership or management training.
Experience Required:
- 5+ years of experience in elite sport performance and/or sports medicine, including at least 3 years leading multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience in youth or academy football, ideally within a full-time residential or education-integrated environment.
- Proven ability to apply growth and maturation science to athlete development, training, load management, and injury prevention.
- Experience developing and implementing departmental strategy, budgets, and quality assurance processes, aligned with Right to Dream’s development methodology.
Preferred:
- Experience partnering with a first-team performance and medical department.
- Experience supporting international players and families across diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Experience managing athlete preparation across varied travel schedules, time zones, and environmental conditions.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Expert knowledge of youth athlete development, maturation, injury prevention, and load management, with strong clinical reasoning, rehabilitation, and return-to-play decision-making.
- Ability to interpret athlete performance data, including GPS, physical testing, and athlete management systems, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, minor welfare, mandated-reporting responsibilities, concussion protocols, and anti-doping requirements, including USADA.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills across coaches, players, parents, medical professionals, and senior leadership; English required, Spanish preferred.
- Strong organizational skills, sound judgment under pressure, and proficiency in Microsoft Office, Teams, and athlete management software.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.