ABOUT OUR COMPANY
Awarded Major League Soccer’s 16th franchise in 2008, the Philadelphia Union officially took the pitch in 2010 and have been raising expectations ever since. Owned and operated by Union Sports & Entertainment, the Philadelphia Union call Subaru Park home—an 18,500-seat, world-class, soccer-specific stadium set along the Delaware River beneath the Commodore Barry Bridge, just 15 miles from downtown Philadelphia.
On the field, the Union have established themselves as one of Major League Soccer’s most consistent and competitive clubs. The team reached the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final three times (2014, 2015, and 2018), made multiple MLS Cup Playoff appearances, and captured the Supporters’ Shield in 2020 and again in 2025, recognizing the club’s excellence and consistency across the regular season. The Union also hosted the Eastern Conference Final in 2021, were crowned Eastern Conference Champions in 2022, and advanced to the MLS Cup Final that same year in one of the most thrilling matches in league history. The club has continued to represent Philadelphia on the international stage through participation in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.
Off the field, the Philadelphia Union are defined by a culture that is Young, Fearless, and Challenger-driven. We are unafraid to think differently, push boundaries, and pursue excellence in everything we do. We believe success is built through accountability, collaboration, innovation, and a relentless drive to raise the bar.
Our deep connection to Philadelphia is woven into who we are. From the Club’s crest and colors to the thirteen stars and rallying cry, the Union proudly reflect the city’s revolutionary spirit and its legacy as the birthplace of American independence. If you’re ready to challenge the ordinary and help shape the future of soccer in Philadelphia, we invite you to join us.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Sports Nutrition Fellow will work within the Medical & Performance Department of the Philadelphia Union, supporting performance nutrition delivery across the First Team, Union II (Second Team), and Academy programs.
This is a seasonal (March–November), immersive fellowship designed for an early-career sports dietitian seeking hands-on experience in applied performance nutrition, athlete development, and professional sport operations within a vertically integrated club model. The Fellow will operate under the supervision of the Head of Nutrition and collaborate closely with medical, performance, technical, and operations staff.
The purpose of this fellowship is to:
- Support consistent, evidence-based nutrition practices across all levels of the club
- Contribute to athlete development, availability, and recovery
- Provide mentored, real-world experience in elite soccer environments
- Develop future leaders in professional sports nutrition through applied learning
This fellowship offers exposure to one of MLS’s most development-focused club models, providing a rare opportunity to support both elite professional athletes and high-potential youth players within the same system. Fellows will gain hands-on experience that prepares them for future roles in professional sport, collegiate athletics, or advanced performance environments.
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Nutrition Education & Athlete Development
- Assist in assessing team- and age-specific nutrition needs across First Team, Union II, and Academy groups
- Support delivery of nutrition education through:
- In-person individual and team sessions
- Written resources
- Visual aids and digital communication
- Parent education sessions
- Reinforce nutrition education with injured and return-to-play athletes in coordination with medical and performance staff
- Support Academy education initiatives with an emphasis on habit formation, fueling consistency, and professionalism
- Collaborate with the Head of Nutrition on long-term curriculum development for the Performance Nutrition Department and YSC Academy
2. Applied Performance Nutrition
- Assist with day-to-day fueling support for training sessions and match preparation
- Observe and support assessment of dietary habits, energy availability, and hydration status using USG, MX3, and ISAK methodologies
- Communicate relevant nutrition observations to medical and performance staff
- Establish and apply nutrition strategies aligned with training load, match congestion, and travel demands including carb periodization, micronutrient planning
- Shadow sports dietitians across other Philadelphia professional sports organizations and universities
- Other duties may include cooking demonstrations, social media management, and dietetic intern leadership.
3. Clinical Sports Nutrition
- Assist the Team Dietitian and medical staff with medical nutrition therapy related to:
- Injury recovery
- Illness
- Body composition management
- Support monitoring and documentation of nutrition-related interventions
- Stay current with applied research and best practices through participation in a monthly journal review club
- Prepare and execute a case study for presentation at ASPDA or ISSN Conferences
4. Food Service, Supplementation & Operations
- Assist with coordination of team meals alongside chefs, Aramark, and approved catering partners (home and travel)
- Support NSF Certified for Sport® supplement inventory management and distribution
- Assist with fueling station setup, breakdown, and quality control
- Support adherence to departmental budgets and operational standards
Learning Objectives (Fellowship Focus)
This fellowship is designed to provide experience in:
- Working across multiple competitive levels within one professional club
- Translating nutrition science into applied, real-world practice
- Communicating effectively within interdisciplinary performance teams
- Understanding the demands of professional soccer calendars and travel
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or related field
- Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) credentialed through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), or RD-eligible
- 6–12 months of experience in collegiate, academy, or professional sport nutrition settings (internships included)
- Ability to work 25 hours per week with flexibility
- Availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as required
- Strong interest in athlete development and professional soccer
- Ability to lift and carry 25+ lbs.
Preferred
- Prior experience working with team sport athletes
- Familiarity with performance nutrition principles in soccer
- Comfort working in fast-paced, dynamic environments
Knowledge, Skills & Attributes
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
- Clear, professional oral and written communication
- Ability to collaborate within multidisciplinary teams
- High attention to detail and confidentiality
- Enthusiastic, reliable, and self-motivated
- Willingness to work non-traditional hours (early mornings, evenings, weekends, travel)
- Proficiency in Excel and Canva
This position requires the following clearances:
- PA Child Abuse History clearance
- PA State Police Criminal Records Check
- An FBI Criminal Background Check
- Safesport Certification
Part-time employees are eligible for our 401(k) savings plan, including employer 401(k) matching (subject to plan eligibility and terms).
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. Not sure you meet every requirement? Championship teams are built on diverse strengths. If you’re passionate about sports and excited about this role, we want to hear from you!
