Job Title: Director of Medical & Performance
Department: Football - Medical & Performance
Reports to: General Manager
Work Location: Denver/Centennial, CO
Employee Type: Full-time
Pay Type: Salaried
FLSA: Exempt
Supervisor Position: Yes
Anticipated Position Start Date: Early to mid-October 2025
JOIN THE CLIMB. Denver Summit FC is Colorado’s professional women’s soccer club, proudly holding the distinction of being the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) 16th franchise. The Denver Summit FC, set to begin play in the 2026 season, is comprised of a robust and dedicated ownership group led by Rob Cohen, alongside a collective of impassioned local and national investors. This blend of local roots and broad support underscores our dedication to both Colorado and the wider soccer community. As we lay the foundation for our inaugural season, we are seeking passionate leaders who will help shape our club’s identity, infrastructure, and long-term success.
Nature of Work
The Director of Medical & Performance in the leads and oversees the comprehensive medical, physical, and mental well-being of the Denver Summit FC players, ensuring a holistic approach to athlete health and performance. This role emphasizes strategic planning, operational efficiency, and the development of best practices in sports medicine and performance science within the context of women’s soccer. This individual reports directly to the General Manager (GM) and will serve as a key liaison between the Head Coach and GM, club medical teams, league administration, and external partners to ensure best-in-class standards in athlete health, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance optimization.
Key Responsibilities
Program Development & Strategy:
- Design and implement a comprehensive medical and performance infrastructure aligned with NWSL standards and Summit FC’s performance philosophy.
- Develop the club’s injury prevention, return-to-play, and performance optimization frameworks.
- Build and oversee a multidisciplinary team, including athletic trainers, physical therapists, performance coaches, and medical providers.
- Act as the club’s primary liaison to the NWSL medical and performance leadership.
Medical Oversight:
- Establish medical protocols for injury evaluation, diagnostics, treatment, and rehabilitation.
- Maintain accurate, secure medical records and ensure compliance with HIPAA and league-mandated EMR systems.
- Collaborate with team physicians and external specialists to provide player care and second opinions.
- Lead concussion management, emergency action planning, and crisis protocols.
Performance & Sports Science:
- Oversee physical performance programming, including strength & conditioning, load management, recovery, and nutrition.
- Implement performance testing protocols to inform training plans and readiness.
- Use sports science and data-driven approaches to injury prevention, performance optimization, and recovery strategies.
Culture & Leadership:
- Daily communication and work with the Head Coach and GM around player return to play, player recruitment, and practice planning/strategy.
- Foster a player-first environment built on trust, collaboration, and high standards of care.
- Provide education and resources to players and coaching staff on injury prevention strategies, recovery techniques, and overall health and wellness.
- Collaborate with technical staff on periodization and matchday preparation.
- Collaborate with coaching staff, performance department, and other stakeholders to develop integrated strategies for optimizing player health, performance, and longevity.
- Represent the club at league-wide meetings, continuing education, and workshops.
This description is a summary only and highlights the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change based on business needs. The Company reserves the right to add or remove duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the supervisor and/or hiring authority.
Qualifications & Experience
Minimum:
- Advanced degree in athletic training, sports medicine, physical therapy, exercise science, or related field.
- 7-10 years of experience in professional or elite-level team sports.
- Prior leadership experience in a medical or performance director role.
- Demonstrated leadership of multi-disciplinary medical and performance teams.
- Deep understanding of injury prevention, return-to-play protocols, sports science principles, and player mental health and well-being support systems.
- Willingness to travel as needed and work non-traditional hours (evenings/weekends).
- Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
Preferred:
- Experience in women’s professional sports, ideally soccer.
- Previous NWSL or MLS experience strongly preferred.
- MD, DO, DPT, or certified athletic trainer (ATC) with licensure in good standing.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.
Competencies/Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Familiarity with EMR platforms, performance data systems, and injury surveillance tools.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with stakeholders at all levels.
- Passion for women’s sports and a genuine excitement to build a beloved NWSL club in Denver.
Compensation
- Base salary $165,000 - $180,000 per annum, depending on experience
- Eligible for annual discretionary bonus
Benefits Include
- 15 Paid Company Holidays
- Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision)
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- And more!
Equal Employment Opportunity
Denver Summit FC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
