| Description: |
The NBA is seeking a highly skilled subject matter expert to provide expertise as the Director, Athletic Performance & Elite Development. The incumbent will focus on matters related to athletic performance and sports science for the NBA, including NBA elite basketball development academies. This role will interface heavily with various league office departments, academy staff and consultants, as well as NBA team athletic performance staff. Core focuses of the role will be:
- Work to develop and oversee the implementation of an athletic performance curriculum for the new NBA Academies in Australia, China, India, Senegal, and other markets. The program will be a comprehensive, holistic development tool to optimize the athletic development of young elite athletes, and will include nutrition, strength and conditioning, and recovery. Provide support and guidance on the implementation a comprehensive and innovative athlete management system (data collection and analysis) at the NBA Academies.
- Collaborate with the NBA’s player health and performance team to consult on performance and sports science issues in the NBA.
This role requires on average several days per week and reports to the NBA’s Vice President, International Basketball Operations & Head of Elite Basketball. Candidates must be available to travel, including international travel at least quarterly.
Major Responsibilities:
- Provide support and guidance to basketball operations, youth basketball and elite development, and legal departments to manage performance and sports science programs for the NBA, including NBA academies.
- Lead development, implementation, and review of performance programs, for NBA academies.
- Oversee NBA academy strength and conditioning operations, assisting in the management of budgets and staffing/project plans.
- Coordinate and lead the development of guidelines/programs with team athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, sports science and performance personnel.
- Identify the latest sports science and performance research and make recommendations for the integration of these findings into working practices across all aspects of NBA elite development and youth basketball.
- Support basketball operations in the management of performance testing at the NBA Draft Combine.
- Play a key role in ongoing sports science and performance research that is relevant to NBA players.
- Assist the Jr. NBA with the further development of health-related youth basketball guidelines.
Required Experience & Knowledge:
- A minimum of 10 years of experience of developing and managing sports science and/or performance programs for elite athletes (specifically with elite basketball or professional players preferred).
- Demonstrated track record of working with NBA-level coaching staff and other performance specialists with a focus on developing age and skill-level appropriate programs for athletes.
- Excellent sports science-related education, training and experience to manage and support NBA performance and elite development initiatives.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive working relationships across departments and organizations.
- An understanding of player health needs and the necessary safety precautions to prevent injury and other health conditions.
- Demonstrated experience in the development and implementation of emergency action plans for training sites.
- Candidates should have experience with elite academies, elite collegiate teams, and/or professional teams, particularly basketball teams.
- Deep understanding of the state-of-the-art technology surrounding athletic performance preferred.
Educational Background Required:
Bachelor’s degree required in relevant discipline; advanced degree/Ph.D. in Sports Science or a related field preferred
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