Vice President, Medicine and Performance
Washington Spirit
Full-time
On-site
Ashburn, Virginia, United States
High Performance, Professional Soccer, VP, Medical
The Vice President of Medicine and Performance at Washington Spirit will provide strategic and operational leadership of world-class performance support services across all functions, playing a critical role in the ongoing success of the team. This position will partner closely with the General Manager, Head Coach, the technical staff, and the Medical and Performance department to support and maximize the athletic potential of the players, ensuring they are fully equipped for elite performance on the field.
The Vice President, Medicine and Performance will:
The Vice President, Medicine and Performance will:
- Lead the development and delivery of a comprehensive strategy for medical services, performance therapy, and performance sciences across the team.
- Ensure best practices are followed in all aspects of physical, medical, psychological and nutritional preparation for competition.
- Partner with the General Manager, Head Coach, technical staff and sports medicine and performance personnel, to enhance player performance and ensure the physical wellbeing of all players.
- Drive the development of performance standards for medical and performance services that align with the highest standards in professional soccer.
- Educate internal staff, including coaching, analytics, and front-office personnel, on the integration of medical and performance best practices.
- Champion the implementation of cutting-edge performance methodologies to improve athletic outcomes.
- Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the medical and performance support programs to ensure excellence in player care and performance.
- Be an active presence in the evaluation and delivery of services, asking critical questions to drive continuous improvement across all performance domains.
- Serve as a resource for the team, offering second opinions and expert input when needed to enhance overall program outcomes.
- Oversee the recruitment, onboarding, and retention of all medical, performance therapy, and sports science staff.
- Manage budgetary allocation for the medical and performance departments and ensure the optimal use of resources
- Lead staff appraisals, guide professional development, and ensure accountability for roles within the department.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning and development within the performance team, emphasizing collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
- Collaborate with other department leaders to identify and acquire innovative technologies, equipment, and services that enhance the medical and performance capabilities of the team.
- Ensure the performance team has the necessary resources to meet both short- and long-term performance goals.
- Facilitate the integration of new tools and methods to enhance sports science, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and rehabilitation efforts.
- Provide mentorship and leadership to the performance team, helping them develop clear vision plans, achieve personal and professional goals, and maximize player support.
- Offer guidance on strategy and goal setting to ensure the department aligns with the broader objectives of the Washington Spirit.
- Develop an annual plan for performance services that aligns with the team’s competition schedule and ensures optimal player development.
- Coordinate with coaches and other staff to structure training loads, recovery periods, and player development programs in alignment with competitive needs.
- Foster a collaborative, cross-functional relationship within the organization, ensuring knowledge transfer and collaboration between departments such as coaching, analytics, and medical teams.
- Act as an ambassador for Washington Spirit both internally and externally, contributing to thought leadership within the NWSL and advocating for the club in performance-related matters.
The ideal candidate has:
- Relevant qualification where appropriate such as Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT), Doctor of Medicine (MD), Master of Science in Sports Medicine or Masters of Kinesiology or a Sports Science degree.
- Background in Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy, Sports Science or Exercise Science.
- Minimum of 15 years of experience in sports medicine, performance sciences, or a related field, with a demonstrated track record of success in high-performance sports (soccer or other team sports preferred).
- Experience managing and leading multidisciplinary teams within sports medicine, performance therapy, or related departments.
- Strong knowledge of injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance optimization methodologies.
- Experience in mentoring and leading a diverse staff within high-performance environments.
- Proven leadership and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple functions and projects simultaneously.
- Expertise in sports science, medical technologies, and performance analytics.
- Exceptional communication skills and the ability to collaborate across various functional teams.
- Strategic thinking and the ability to drive both short-term improvements and long-term player development.
- Ability to travel with the team to away games, training camps, and events when required.
- Availability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required by the team schedule.
- A passion for player welfare and the Washington Spirit’s commitment to excellence both on and off the field.
ABOUT THE WASHINGTON SPIRIT
The Washington Spirit is a founding club in its 11th season of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) proudly representing the Washington, DC metropolitan area. It is the first franchise to have a minority woman hold a majority stake. A visionary entrepreneur, Michele Kang, is leading a new era for women’s sports with a vision to:
The Washington Spirit is a founding club in its 11th season of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) proudly representing the Washington, DC metropolitan area. It is the first franchise to have a minority woman hold a majority stake. A visionary entrepreneur, Michele Kang, is leading a new era for women’s sports with a vision to:
- Become the most preeminent sports organization in the world;
- Build a high-performance culture of winning on and off the pitch;
- Train women as women; and
- Motivate and inspire the next generation of girls and women
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.