Description

The Director of Strength & Performance at VeloU serves as the strategic and operational leader for all strength and conditioning initiatives within the organization. This individual is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and continual refinement of evidence-based performance programs designed to enhance athletic output, reduce injury risk, and maximize long-term player development. The role requires a high-level understanding of biomechanics, exercise science, and long-term athletic development, particularly as they relate to elite high school and collegiate baseball athletes.

The Director will lead and mentor a team of strength and conditioning coaches and interns, collaborate with sport science and throwing departments, and drive innovation through research, testing, and ongoing education.

This is a salaried position ($70-$85k + benefits and 401k)

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate all strength and conditioning coaches, interns, and support staff.
• Foster a culture of professional growth, accountability, and collaboration aligned with VeloU’s mission and values.
• Conduct regular staff education sessions and performance reviews to ensure coaching quality and consistency.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Athlete Development to align strength and throwing programs within a unified athlete development model.

Program Design & Implementation

• Oversee the design and periodization of individualized and group training programs for high-level baseball athletes (high school through professional).
• Integrate force plate data, movement screens, workload management, and other performance metrics into training decisions.
• Ensure programming aligns with seasonal demands (off-season, pre-season, in-season) and injury history.
• Develop protocols for onboarding new athletes, testing benchmarks, and ongoing performance tracking.

Research & Innovation

• Lead research and applied sport science initiatives in partnership with VeloU’s biomechanics and performance testing departments.
• Stay current with peer-reviewed literature in strength and conditioning, biomechanics, and injury prevention, and translate findings into actionable programming.
• Present findings internally to staff and externally through conferences, publications, and media opportunities.

Testing & Performance Analytics

• Oversee the execution of comprehensive testing batteries including strength, power, speed, and movement assessments.
• Utilize data from technology such as force plates, dynamometry systems, and motion capture to evaluate athlete readiness and progress.
• Collaborate with the analytics team to maintain data integrity, develop dashboards, and identify performance trends.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work in conjunction with the Director of Athlete Development, Pitching Coordinators, and Medical/Recovery staff to ensure integrated athlete care.
• Communicate with athletes, parents, and coaches regarding performance goals, progress, and long-term development plans.
• Coordinate with the media and education teams to highlight VeloU’s performance methodologies and success stories.

Operational Excellence

• Maintain facility safety, equipment management, and training area standards.
• Assist in staff scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation.
• Support organizational initiatives such as seminars, educational workshops, and research collaborations with universities or hospital partners.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or related field preferred (Bachelor’s required).
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) or equivalent certification required.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive coaching experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated success in programming for elite baseball or rotational athletes.
• Proficiency in data-driven technologies (force plates, motion capture, velocity-based training, workload tracking).
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and contributing to research within the field.