The Utah Royals FC, Real Salt Lake (RSL), and RSL Training Academy are dedicated to the growth and success of soccer in Utah. The Utah Royals FC is committed to empowerment, while RSL represents the state with pride and fosters a winning culture. The RSL Training Academy nurtures young athletes and instills values of discipline and teamwork. Together, they are committed to inspiring the soccer culture of Utah and creating lasting impressions one winning experience at a time.
SUMMARY:
The Head of Performance leads the club’s physical performance strategy as a part of the Royals Player Health and Performance Department, to ensure players are optimally prepared for training and competition. This role integrates sports science, strength and conditioning, load management, and recovery practices to enhance performance, minimize injury risk, and maximize player availability. The position requires close collaboration within their team and also with the coaching and medical to align physical preparation with the tactical and technical demands of the game.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
· Assist in leading a culture of trust and collaboration in alignment with the Vision, Mission and, Core Values of the Utah Royals.
· Develop and implement a performance framework aligned with team philosophy, competition schedule, and tactical needs.
· Collaborate with the Player Health and Performance team to create baseline movement and athletic assessments creating long range KPIs.
· Lead and collaborate with the performance department to ensure excellence in physical preparation, monitoring, and recovery.
· Collaborate with coaching and medical for an integrated, player-focused performance approach.
· Design and manage seasonal, weekly, and daily training plans in coordination with coaching and medical staff.
· Implement Female Health considerations into daily planning to support the female athlete and maximize performance.
· Align physical and tactical periodization to optimize training load and performance.
· Continuously adjust plans using match schedules, player feedback, and performance data.
· Lead and manage on-field warm-ups, conditioning, and recovery sessions with coaching collaboration.
· Align training sessions with physical and tactical objectives, making real-time adjustments as needed.
· Integrate physical preparation into soccer-specific drills to enhance match performance.
· Track session intensity and player responses to guide load management and training decisions.
· Manage and analyze training load data (GPS, wellness, heart rate) to monitor player workload and recovery.
· Collaborate with sports science, coaching, and medical staff to guide decisions on player readiness, rotation, and return-to-play plans.
· Work closely with the Head Coach and Head of Medical to align physical, tactical, and health goals across departments.
· Share clear, actionable performance insights and recommendations with staff and players.
· Collect and analyze physical testing data for female soccer to support team development.
· Collaborate with the performance team to identify performance trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
· Stay updated on women’s football research and implement relevant performance innovations.
· Educate players on recovery, nutrition, lifestyle, and behaviors that enhance performance and resilience.
· Foster professionalism, self-management, and continuous improvement while supporting holistic player development.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in Sports Performance, Physiology, or related discipline.
- Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in a professional soccer or high-performance sport environment, preferably within the women’s game.
- Experience working within a professional women’s football environment.
- Demonstrated experience designing and managing training periodization and load monitoring programs.
- Proficiency with performance monitoring technologies (e.g., Catapult, STATSports, Polar, or equivalent).
- Proven ability to interpret and communicate performance data to multidisciplinary staff.
- Commitment to fostering a high-performance culture and player welfare.
- Strong planning and organizational skills with attention to detail.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities across multidisciplinary teams.
- Analytical thinker with the ability to translate data into actionable insights
- Collaborative, adaptable, and solution-focused mindset.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends to accommodate the teams’ schedule and events.
- Ability to pass a background check.
LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS:
• Certified Performance and Sports Science (CPSS)
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The job requires regularly lifting/pushing up to 50 pounds, occasional lifting/pushing/exerting heavy force (ability to demonstrate exercises, ability to act as a weightlifting spotter). The job involves running, standing, stooping, bending, lifting, pushing, typing, etc.
Real Salt Lake 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.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.
Note: The need may arise to revise, supplement, or rescind portions of this job description, and RSL reserves the right to do so at any time. Employees shall be required to meet the qualifications and perform the duties of any revised job description.
