Health and Human Performance Director

This is a Full Time Job

The Director of Health and Human Performance will be responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, and management of comprehensive health and performance programs for the team's athletes. This role requires an individual with exceptional leadership, communication, and analytical skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with coaching staff, athletic trainers, medical professionals, and performance specialists. The Director will ensure that all athletes are performing at their highest potential while minimizing the risk of injury and promoting long-term health.

Key Responsibilities:
• Strategic Leadership: Serve as the lead medical authority for the team, overseeing all aspects of player health and injury.
• Performance Optimization: Develop and implement injury prevention programs tailored to individual player needs. Supervise and coordinate medical evaluation, diagnostics and treatment plans for players. Ensure timely and effective management of acute injuries, chronic conditions and postsurgical.
• Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation: Directly manage the Director of Rehabilitation, Head Athletic Trainer, Message Therapists and Sports Psychologist.
• Collaboration with Medical & Performance Staff: Work closely with team physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, and strength & conditioning staff to ensure a seamless approach to player health. Coordinate with external medical providers, specialists, and hospitals for advanced care when needed. Maintain constant communication with coaching staff and front office regarding player health status and return-to-play timelines.
• Emergency & Game-Day Medical Management: Be on site or available during games and team activities to provide immediate medical care and injury assessment. Ensure the team is equipped with emergency action plans (EAPs) for injuries, cardiac events, or other medical situations. Oversee concussion protocols and return-to-play assessments in compliance with the league regulations.
• Rehabilitation & Return-to-Play Protocols: Design and oversee rehabilitation programs in collaboration with Director of Rehab and Director of Performance. Monitor progress of injured players, ensuring they meet medical clearance benchmarks before returning to competition. Utilize biomechanical assessments and performance data to track recovery and reduce injury risk.
• Wellness & Long-Term Health: Advocate for mental health, sleep optimization, and nutrition plan to support overall well-being. Develop injury prevention programs with the Director of Rehab and Director of Performance. Develop long term rehabilitation benchmarks for return-to-play plan. Educate players on injury prevention strategies self-care, and best recovery practices. Provide guidance on women's health considerations, including menstrual cycle impact on performance and injury risk.
• Compliance and League Regulations: Ensure team adherence to WNBA medical policies, anti-doping regulations, and player health protocols. Ensure head athletic trainer and physical therapist are maintaining and updating medical records, treatment documentation, and compliance repots in accordance with league and legal requirements. Lead efforts in COID-19 or other health-related protocols as necessary.
• Research & innovation in Sports Medicine: Stay up to date with emerging medical research, rehabilitation techniques, and injury prevention strategies. Implement cutting-edge sports medicine technologies to enhance injury diagnostics and treatment outcomes. Contribute to team-wide health initiatives and strategic planning for long-term player wellness.

Qualifications:
• Master's degree preferred
• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in a high-performance sports setting, including at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record of optimizing athlete performance, injury prevention, and rehabilitation in a professional sports environment.
• In-depth knowledge of sports science, strength and conditioning principles, recovery methods, and nutrition.
• Experience managing a multidisciplinary team and collaborating with coaching and medical staff.
• Strong understanding of performance analytics and the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Passion for sports and athlete development, with a focus on long-term health and performance.

Preferred Qualifications
• Certification with a relevant professional organization (e.g., NSCA, ACSM, CSCS, etc.).
• Experience with injury rehabilitation and working with elite athletes
• Experience working within a women's professional sports league
• Advanced knowledge of sports psychology, mental conditioning, and wellness programs

Why Join Us?

The Chicago Sky Health and Performance Department is dedicated to optimizing player well-being, resilience, and peak performance by providing world class sports science, evidence based training, and holistic wellness strategies.

Our mission is to provide elite medical care, strength and conditioning programs, and recovery protocols that empower our athletes to perform at their best-both on and off the court. We are committed to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and player-first support, ensuring longevity, health, and success throughout their careers.

We have a highly experienced staff that bring diverse skills in strength and conditioning, sports technology, sport science, nutrition, performance psychology and sports medicine. By integrating a diverse staff, advanced technology, personalized care, and collaborative expertise, we strive to set the standard for athlete health and performance in the WNBA, maximizing potential while prioritizing safety and sustainability.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and references.

The Chicago Sky is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds to apply.