Head of Strength & Conditioning

Named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in 2023, Athletes Unlimited is a new model of pro sports, where athletes are decision-makers and individual players are champions of team sports. Athletes Unlimited owns and operates professional women’s softball, lacrosse, volleyball and basketball leagues featuring world-class competition and fan experience and stands out as an organization driven by the athletes that play in the leagues.  Athletes Unlimited is the first professional sports league to be organized as a Public Benefit Corporation.

In June 2025, AU will significantly transform and expand its softball business by launching the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL). AUSL will be a premier professional women’s softball league and will model traditional “city-based” leagues (e.g. WNBA and NWSL) with commensurate operations and commercial activities. The five-year goal is to grow AUSL aggressively by adding additional teams in 2026 and beyond, converting to a fully city-based model, bringing in team owners, and building out ancillary business, fan, and partner engagement opportunities.

Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) is looking for a Head of Strength & Conditioning to oversee all aspects of design, development, implementation, monitoring and assessment of strength and conditioning programs. This position is full time, hybrid, and reports to the VP, Sports Operations at AU.

Responsibilities 

• Design and implement pre-, in-, and post-season sports performance programs for all athletes
• Advise athletes on proper methods and techniques for various forms of strength, speed, agility, and flexibility training, as well as rest and recovery
• Utilize sports science technology and biometric wearables to monitor athlete training load and wellness
• Supervise and support AUSL Asst. Sports Performance coaches to ensure smoothly functioning operations and programs across all the League sites
• Communicate and collaborate with team coaches to incorporate desired and specific goals into the overall strength & conditioning plan
• Collaborate and assist medical staff with injury prevention, nutritional guidance, rehabilitation exercises, and return to pay programming and progressions
• Maintain accurate records of athlete performance progress
• Conduct season or year-end analysis of program progress
• Assist with sourcing and hiring of other performance staff members as assigned
• Purchase and maintain equipment and supply budget for athletic performance
• Other administrative and sports related duties as determined by league staff

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years as a sports performance coach at the collegiate or professional levels
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience managing staff in a strength and conditioning work environment
• Master's Degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Health Sciences or related field
• Current NSCA CSCS or CSCCa SCCC certification is required
• Current CPR/AED Certified is required
• Preferred credentials and certifications: USAW, FRC, PICP, APCC, FMS, NASM – CES/PES, Nutritional Specialist or similar
• Experience working directly with female athletes including but not limited to sport coverage of softball (baseball and or other AU Pro Sports preferred)
• Extensive experience training elite athletes and knowledge of a wide range of sports
• Experience with various computer programs (Word, Excel, athlete monitoring and training programs)
• Proven experience running systems that collect, track, and analyze athlete data to enhance sports performance programs
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills 
• Ability to travel and work weekends/non-traditional work hours (Approximately 25-30% of the time)
• Preference for candidates based in Chicago
• Authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Benefits

This role is full-time, hybrid, and is compensated at a range of $60,000 -$70,000 annually. While this is the intended range, the actual compensation may vary based on several factors including but not limited to qualifications, skills, and geographic location of the position. We anticipate the highest end of the range will be reserved for those who exceed the hiring committee’s expectations on all measures of the evaluation process. In addition, Athletes Unlimited is proud to offer comprehensive benefits and perks to all of our full-time employees, including:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• 401(k) plan with generous company match
• Paid parental leave
• Wellness and Development benefit
• Caregiving benefit
• Unlimited paid time off alongside company holidays

OUR DEI STATEMENT

As a company, we share a vision to change the world for the better and believe in the power of sports to tear down barriers. We will Be Unlimited in our pursuit to intentionally create an environment where every individual can be their authentic self.

Research shows that women, trans, non-binary folks, and BIPOC are less likely to apply for a job unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications. We strongly encourage you to apply even if your background is non-traditional or you might not meet every one of the qualifications described.

Athletes Unlimited is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in its hiring process based on race, religion, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, pregnancy status, parental status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.