1st Team Strength/Performance Coach
Chicago Fire
Full-time
On-site
Chicago, Illinois, United States
$110,000 - $120,000 USD yearly
Strength & Conditioning, Coaching, Professional Soccer
The Chicago Fire Football Club (Chicago Fire FC) is an American professional soccer club that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top U.S. domestic league. Founded on October 8, 1997, on the 126th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Club began play in 1998 as one of the League’s first expansion franchises. The Fire have won six major domestic titles, including the 1998 MLS Cup; the 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups; as well as the 2003 MLS Supporters’ Shield.
The Club recently announced plans to build a $750M+ privately financed downtown stadium in Chicago in 2028. The stadium will anchor Chicago’s newest neighborhood, the 78, a 62-acre development and entertainment district located along the Chicago River just south of Roosevelt Road. For more information on our bold plans, visit DearChicago.com.
Additionally, the Club recently opened the state-of-the-art $100M Endeavor Health Performance Center in March 2025 that has set the standard for North American training facilities. With tremendous growth and expansion, the Club is laying the foundation for an audacious and ambitious vision that will transform the brand and the company in the coming years.
At Chicago Fire FC, we’re on a mission to entertain, serve, and unite Chicago by delivering excellence on and off the pitch to ensure a world-class experience. As a club we let our values guide everything we do: we uphold uncompromising integrity, show respect for all at all times, never settle for less, constantly innovate, and hold ourselves relentlessly accountable.
The Club recently announced plans to build a $750M+ privately financed downtown stadium in Chicago in 2028. The stadium will anchor Chicago’s newest neighborhood, the 78, a 62-acre development and entertainment district located along the Chicago River just south of Roosevelt Road. For more information on our bold plans, visit DearChicago.com.
Additionally, the Club recently opened the state-of-the-art $100M Endeavor Health Performance Center in March 2025 that has set the standard for North American training facilities. With tremendous growth and expansion, the Club is laying the foundation for an audacious and ambitious vision that will transform the brand and the company in the coming years.
At Chicago Fire FC, we’re on a mission to entertain, serve, and unite Chicago by delivering excellence on and off the pitch to ensure a world-class experience. As a club we let our values guide everything we do: we uphold uncompromising integrity, show respect for all at all times, never settle for less, constantly innovate, and hold ourselves relentlessly accountable.
Position Overview:
The Performance Coach at Chicago Fire FC will play a critical role within the Multi-Disciplinary Team, optimizing the physical performance, injury prevention, and overall well-being of athletes. This individual will work closely with the Head of Performance, coaching and medical staff to ensure that players are physically prepared for the demands of the game, develop personalized training programs, and support the overall performance goals of the club. A successful candidate will possess excellent communication skills, a strong work ethic, and the ability to adapt to a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Job Responsibilities:
- Contribute to the overall vision, mission, and values of Chicago Fire FC
- Design, implement, and monitor strength, conditioning, movement skill and recovery programs tailored to individual players and the team as a whole
- Collaborate with the coaching staff to align fitness and performance strategies with tactical objectives and training loads
- Monitor player workload, ensuring players are fit and prepared while avoiding overtraining and potential injury risks
- Organize & maintain database of player & player family key information
- Work closely with the medical team (physiotherapists, sports doctors) to develop injury prevention programs and rehabilitation strategies
- Conduct regular assessments of players’ physical condition to identify potential injury risks and implement preventative measures
- Support the return-to-play process for injured players, ensuring a safe and effective recovery
- Utilize data analytics and performance technology (e.g., Vald, Output Sports, Bridge Athletic, 1080 Sprint, Stat Sports) to assess player performance during training and matches
- Drive player intent through the use of Data Informed information and reporting. (eg Leaderboards, Profiles, etc)
- Analyze player movement patterns, strength, and physical output to optimize individual and team performance
- Provide regular feedback and performance reports to coaching staff and players
- Develop and implement individual performance plans (IPP) based on player needs, performance goals, and seasonal requirements
- Support the development of youth players within the club’s academy, ensuring their physical readiness for senior team training and matches
- Collaborate with the Head Coach, Assistant Coaches, and other performance staff to design integrated performance strategies
- Collaborate with Head of Performance and staff to execute movement sessions, warm-ups and team sport development sessions.
- Maintain clear and effective communication with players, helping them understand the rationale behind their training programs and ensuring buy-in
- Maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and professionalism at all times
- Completion of other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar role
- Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, or a related field
- Proven experience working as a performance coach or strength and conditioning coach
- Strong understanding of injury prevention, rehabilitation techniques, and sports performance training methodologies
- Experience with leading soccer exercises (eg, passing, technical, drills)
- Experience with performance analysis software and wearable technology
- In-depth knowledge of soccer-specific fitness requirements, including endurance, strength, power, agility, and flexibility
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building relationships with players and internal & external stakeholders
- Must display a strong work ethic and desire to build a career in professional sports
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Positive attitude, growth mindset, and proactive approach to problem-solving
- Ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to work non-traditional hours, in non-traditional settings, including all home games (or other work events) that fall on nights, weekends, and/or holidays
Preferred Qualifications:
- Masters degree in relevant field
- Certifications in sports rehabilitation, injury prevention, or recovery (e.g., First Aid, CPR, TPI, FMS)
- Proven experience working as a coach in a professional soccer or elite sport
- Conversational Spanish language fluency preferred
Compensation:
- This role offers a salary range of $110,000-120,000 Final salary is determined by carefully considering the applicant's background, experience, and qualifications. Base pay may vary significantly based on geographic location, job-specific knowledge, skills, and overall experience
- This role is classified as Full-time, exempt
- This role is bonus eligible
- Additional benefits & perks: https://www.chicagofirefc.com/careers
Please note:
- Chicago Fire FC is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Our diversity initiatives start with the recruitment and selection process; therefore, we’d like to welcome all diverse candidates to apply to opportunities within our Club.
- CFFC is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and maintaining a workplace for employees and applicants for employment that is free from discrimination. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, age, veteran or military status, disability, sexual orientation, sexual orientation or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.
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