The Chicago Fire Football Club (Chicago Fire FC) is Chicago’s premier professional soccer club competing 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, becoming the first and only expansion team in North American sports to win a title in its first year of existence. Beside MLS Cup 1998, the Fire have won five other major domestic titles, including the 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups, and the 2003 MLS Supporters’ Shield.
The Club’s Football Operations department is guided by one vision: to build a world-class club that inspires greatness, helps unite Chicago, and wins championships. To that end, Owner and Chairman Joe Mansueto named former U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Gregg Berhalter as Director of Football and Head Coach ahead of the 2025 regular season, leading the Fire to the postseason for the first time since 2017 in only his first full season with the Club. Berhalter and his staff operate out of the Endeavor Health Performance Center, the $100M state-of-the-art training facility of Chicago Fire FC, its second team Chicago Fire II, and the Chicago Fire Academy.
In addition, Mansueto announced his commitment in 2025 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.
Position Overview:
The Academy Performance Coach at Chicago Fire FC will play a critical role within the development of our player talent pool. Working with a Multi-Disciplinary Team, optimizing the physical performance, robustness, and overall well-being of athletes. Key skills needed include, a clear understanding of long-term player and athletic development, excellent ability to coach strength, power and movement skills and efficiency, while complementing their technical / tactical soccer development. We are looking for someone with a passion for youth athletic development.
This individual will work closely with the Head of Physical Performance & Player Wellness (Academy & Fire II), 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. The Academy Performance Coach will report to the Head of Physical Performance & Player Wellness (Academy & Fire II)
Job Responsibilities:
- Under the Head of Physical Performance & Player Wellness (Academy & Fire II), work in partnership with Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), including technical staff, athletic trainers, mindset staff and wider support staff, to provide an integrated High-Performance LTAD program for Academy players, in line with club and department philosophy
- Direct and/or assist in delivery of field, prehabilitation, strength, rehabilitation sessions and match day warm-ups in team and individual settings, teaching proper technique and safety for all exercises and movements
- Collaborate with the Head of Physical Performance & Player Wellness (Academy & Fire II) and agreed squad specific technical Coaches, to design and optimize training schedules
- Proactively collaborate with the Head of Physical Performance & Player Wellness (Academy & Fire II) to best develop high potential players
- Direct and/or assist with GPS distribution, collection, download, and cutting, wellness monitoring, testing administration, RPE collection, compiling, analysis, and reporting
- Orderly file relevant performance documentation on agreed Chicago Fire FC platforms
- Contribute to and advance LTAD programming and curriculum, data collection, testing, analytics, and reporting to develop high-performance football-oriented solutions
- Direct and/or assist with delivery of scientifically based optimal recovery strategies post-training and post-match
- Develop individual and team off-season training programs
- Travel with Academy teams to matches and events and pack accordingly
- Assist in additional tasks as directed by the Head of Physical Performance & Player Wellness (Academy & Fire II)
- Assist with daily operations and administrative tasks
- Maintain organization and cleanliness of weight room, storage facilities and training fields
- Contribute to regular CPD events encompassing First Team and Academy and Fire II staff
- Be an ambassador for the football club and share in its vision and values
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Sport Science, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Strength & Conditioning, or a related field
- NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
- Three years of experience in a sports science role, with at least two years of experience working within the football profession
- Ability to contribute to a High-Performance environment and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team
- Clear understanding of and proven ability to implement Long-Term Athletic Development (LTAD)
- Proficiency in data science, including use of Microsoft Suite, GPS systems, AMS, VALD Suite, Bridge Athletic, 1080 Motion, VueMotion, YouCoach etc
- First aid and CPR certification
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented and have a sense of accountability
- Ability to work productively under pressure and be consistently proactive
- Ability to work extended hours, weekends and holidays when required
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Sport Science, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Strength & Conditioning, or a related field
- NSCA Certified Performance & Sport Scientist (CPSS)
- Expertise in data science, including use of Microsoft Suite, GPS systems, AMS, VALD Suite, Bridge Athletic, 1080 Motion, VueMotion, YouCoach etc.
Compensation:
- This role offers a salary range of $60,000-$70,000 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: Official Chicago Fire FC Website
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.
- If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact the People and Culture Department at [email protected] to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
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