Physical Performance Lead

**About Vancouver Rise FC**

Vancouver Rise FC is an ambitious new professional women’s soccer team competing at the highest level in the Northern Super League. As the inaugural champions of the 2025 NSL season, we are committed to continuing to grow women’s sports, fostering community engagement, and delivering a first-class experience for our players, staff, fans, and partners.

**Position Overview**

The Physical Performance Coach leads all aspects of athlete physical preparation at Vancouver Rise FC, including strength and conditioning, applied sport science, daily monitoring, and return to play, ensuring players achieve elite standards of fitness, readiness, and long-term development. We are seeking a passionate and driven leader who builds strong relationships with staff and players to inspire high performance behaviours and optimize physical output. The coach works closely with technical, performance, and operational staff, travels with the team for matches, and drives player readiness through strong education, detailed preparation, and high standard on field and gym delivery.

**Key Responsibilities**

**Collaboration and Communication**
- Maintain continuous communication with coaches, medical, player care, director(s), nutritionist and mental performance to ensure a fully integrated approach to performance
- Attend staff meetings and department lead meetings to contribute to planning and decision making across the Club
- Educate and inspire players and staff on performance improvement strategies and evidence informed preparation habits
- Work closely with First Team coaches to integrate physical preparation into the technical and tactical training process

**Strength and Conditioning Leadership**
- Design and deliver safe and effective strength and conditioning programs tailored to team and individual needs
- Oversee annual planning including periodization strategies and gym programming for First Team
- Provide individualized physical training sessions for First Team athletes and select Academy athletes
- Maintain a high standard of facility organization and ensure training environments reflect professionalism
- Align physical preparation principles across the Club (First team & Academy) to ensure clarity and consistency of methodology Integration withPerformance Staff
- Work collaboratively with nutritionist, mental & medical staff to individualize programming for injured and rehabilitating players
- Design and implement return to play strength and conditioning plans following medical clearance
- Contribute to integrated support team planning to enhance player health, availability, and performance

**Monitoring and Evaluation**
- Lead physical testing and profiling throughout the season including preseason, midseason, and return to play benchmarks
- Implement high quality monitoring systems to track workload, readiness, and recovery
- Player load management supported by GPS data, heart rate tracking, and self-reporting systems
- Develop clear reports, dashboards, and communication tools for coaches, performance staff & directors
- Translate testing and monitoring results into actionable insights that guide training decisions
- Provide reports on player progress and key performance numbers to support clear communication and informed decision making across the staff.

**Academy Development**
- Oversee Academy Physical Preparation Coaches and support the long-term physical development of youth athletes
- Ensure Academy programming reflects scientific principles, Club strategy, and a progressive development pathway

**Additional Responsibilities**
- Develop and oversee a strength and conditioning internship program with alignment to sport science research projects
- Ensure compliance with all NSL and Club policies including medical protocols and game operations requirements
- Travel with the team for all away matches and support on field warmups, speed sessions, conditioning work, and recovery sessions
- Participate fully in Club meetings, activities, community events, and professional development opportunities

**Qualifications**
- Degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Sport Science, or related field
- Professional certifications such as CSCS, ASCA, or equivalent
- Minimum of three years of high-performance experience in elite sport with preference for soccer
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a professional environment
- Strong communication skills and the ability to present information clearly to staff and athletes
- Proven ability to design and implement individualized and team-based programs for professional athletes
- **Valid driver’s license** and ability to travel between stadium, training facilities, community sites, and club partners as required.
- **Availability to travel with the team**, including weekends, evenings, and extended trips during the NSL season.
- **Flexibility to work non-traditional hours** aligned with the team schedule (matchdays, training camps, eve