Position: Head Athletic Trainer
Department: High-Performance
Reports to: Director of High Performance
Status: Full-Time (Exempt)
About Charlotte FC
Charlotte Football Club is the Major League Soccer Club in the Carolinas. The Club’s mission is to be a unifying force that is bigger than one city and encourage a sense of belonging through a progressive, collective, and ambitious approach that guides efforts on and off the pitch. CLTFC is committed to driving growth through the sport and community outreach. Charlotte FC is owned by David Tepper and is a part of Tepper Sports & Entertainment, which also includes Bank of America Stadium and the Carolina Panthers. For more information, visit
CharlotteFootballClub.com.
Position Summary
The Head Athletic Trainer will oversee athletic training services for the First Team, providing exceptional injury prevention, assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and return-to-play support. This senior role collaborates closely with medical, performance, coaching, and senior leadership staff to ensure player availability and readiness throughout a demanding MLS calendar. As a senior leader within the club’s High-Performance department, you will foster a culture of trust, accountability, and professionalism to drive a comprehensive approach to high-performance medicine.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead athletic training services for the First Team:
- Lead all First Team athletic training services, including injury prevention, assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and return-to-play decision-making.
- Deliver consistent, best in class on-field and clinical care.
- Develop and implement robust individualized return-to-play processes.
- Stay updated with the latest research in sports physiotherapy and contribute to the development of innovative practices within the department.
- MLS Compliance and Medical Governance:
- Ensure full compliance with MLS medical policies, protocols and reporting requirements.
- Maintain accurate and timely medical documentation within MLS-approved systems.
- Club-Wide Medical Process Alignment:
- Ensure alignment of medical provision across all levels of the club, from Academy to First Team, working alongside Atheltic Trainers at all levels to ensure staff development and synergy.
- Collaboration and Support Across Departments:
- Work closely with the multidisciplinary team, including doctors, physical performance coaches, and technical staff, to ensure integrated care for players.
- Maintain strong relationships with partner organizations via clear, transparent communication.
- Communicate medical status and readiness clearly to key stakeholders across football, performance and leadership.
5. Player Welfare and Education:
- Advocate for player health, safety and long-term wellbeing
- Educate players on injury prevention, recovery and self-care best practice.
- Drive a culture of trust, accountability and professionalism.
6. Staff Leadership and Development:
- Lead, mentor and develop athletic training staff.
- Establish and uphold high clinical and professional standards.
- Actively participate in internal and external education opportunities, such as conferences, seminars, and courses, to improve knowledge and practice in performance science.
Qualifications/Experience
- Minimum of four years of undergraduate education
- A preferred Master’s degree in a health-related field
- NATA certification
- CPR certification
- HIPAA-compliant course and health information management
- Two or more years of experience in elite soccer or a relevant elite sports environment
- Extensive experience in elite soccer player rehabilitation and manual treatment
- Experience with diverse travel schedules (time zones) and climate conditions (heat, cold, altitude)
- Knowledge and experience in utilizing and integrating medical technologies
- Experience with medical data management systems to ensure secure and efficient collection, storage, and front-end utilization
- Strong medical knowledge and its application to soccer
- Strong organizational and time management skills
Additional Qualities & Skills Desired for Success
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Experience presenting, especially to key stakeholders.
- Strong work ethic and attention to detail.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Works well within in a collaborative, team-driven, and goal-based environment.
- Works well under pressure while maintaining a positive attitude.
- Must be a team player, reliable, and dependable with a can-do attitude.
- Must maintain complete confidentiality of privileged, and/or sensitive information.
- Must, always, display the character and values of the Tepper Sports & Entertainment brand.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
This position operates in a professional office environment and outside in a stadium facility. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, etc.
- Must be able to work in non-traditional settings, and work non-traditional hours including nights, weekends, and holidays, for certain team training sessions and matches.
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 30 lbs.
- Ability to remain sitting for up to 6 hours at a desk and computer.
- Ability to remain standing/walking for up to 6 hours.
- Ability to work both indoors and outdoors, and endure weather conditions, including rain, wind, high and low temperatures, etc.
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.
