Job Title: Performance Coach
Department: Performance
Reports To: Director of Performance
Type: Full Time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Role Type: 100% Individual Contributor
OUR CLUB
Seattle Sounders FC is a progressive high performing collection of people who strive to achieve the highest levels of our sport while making a transformative impact in our communities in the best soccer city in America. Our culture is focused on serving one of the most passionate sports fan bases in North America who are invested in the Sounders as much for our commitment to making a positive impact in our communities as they are for winning the 2019 MLS Cup and 2022 CONCACAF Champions League on home soil. We exist to create special moments like these, where we enrich lives and unify our fans and city through soccer.
POSITION SUMMARY
Sounders FC is searching for a dynamic and experienced Performance Coach who understands long-term athlete development and brings a strong foundation of scientific best practices applied in elite sport environments. This coach will be a key contributor within our integrated performance and medical team, playing a critical role in planning, delivering, and evaluating gym-based performance programs for first-team players.
Success in this role requires exceptional communication skills, emotional intelligence, professional discretion, and the ability to build trust with athletes and staff from a wide range of backgrounds. This is a hands-on, gym-based role with meaningful influence on performance philosophy, programming, and developmental pathways.
YOU ARE
- Authentic – Great understanding of self and lives values every day.
- An Educator - desire to teach and the tools to effectively do so, to a wide range of athletes.
- Composed - Able to provide calm and focus during the emotional ebbs and flows of a season.
- Enthusiastic - A source of energy for the group.
- Selfless – Able to check your ego at the door and put the needs of the team first.
- Adaptable - Able to deliver results under imperfect, evolving scenarios.
- Optimistic - genuinely hopeful for the future.
- Curious – Constantly looking to improve processes and inefficiencies, a beginner’s mindset.
- Creative Problem Solver – Ready to identify solutions, rather than pointing out problems.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Collaborate with the Head of Fitness to design and deliver MLS-level gym programming aligned with Sounders FC performance methodology.
- Lead individual and team gym sessions, applying advanced knowledge of strength and conditioning principles.
- Oversee and manage the club’s gym software system, ensuring accuracy and effective utilization.
- Design and administer daily team and individualized warm-up/activation programs.
- Lead individualized gym-based rehabilitation sessions in alignment with medical and performance staff.
- Lead and manage the performance department internship program, including curriculum development and mentorship.
- Ensure alignment of player-pathway performance programming with the club’s performance philosophy.
- Provide detailed reporting and professional evaluation to the Performance and Medical teams regarding athlete readiness, gym outputs, and progression.
- Support athletic profiling, monitoring, and readiness strategies in partnership with the Head of Fitness.
- Implement performance-aligned nutrition protocols for training days and matchdays; take on additional nutrition responsibilities as needed.
- Oversee gym equipment inventory, maintenance, and operational readiness.
- Support non-travel rehab or training groups.
- Mentor and support develop and growth of team members.
- Travel with the team as required.
- Other duties may be assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Physical Education, or related field.
- 4+ years of experience working in elite sport (professional, NCAA Division I, etc.) as a Strength & Conditioning Coach.
- Must have National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) or equivalent (UKSCA, ASCA, etc.)
- Committed to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to living club values and the Sounders FC Mission to Create Moments, Enrich Lives, and Unify Through Soccer, in all interactions with colleagues, players, and fans.
Preferred qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in Sports Science, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Physical Education, or related field preferred.
- Experience as a player or high-level athlete (collegiate or professionally).
- National Academy of Sports Medicine Performance Enhancement Specialist.
- Precision Nutrition Certification.