Director of Peak Performance

Job Description
Department:
Athletics
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Employee Type:
Job Summary:The Colby College Department of Athletics seeks a director of peak performance to oversee an industry-leading program designed to maximize individual athlete and team performance through the integration of sports medicine, athletic training, strength and conditioning, sports science, sports dietetics, and sports psychology services. The director of peak performance oversees and coordinates this array of offerings to ensure there is a coherent, systematic, effective program in place for all teams and athletes to maximize their potential.

The Colby Peak Performance program recognizes that an athlete’s performance can be greatly enhanced through effective physical conditioning that is rigorously monitored and assessed; proper nutrition and diet that is designed for individual athletes and the demands of their sports; psychological training that allows athletes to perform at their peak under stressful conditions; and a sports medicine program that is committed to the health and well-being of our students and provides outstanding service in the prevention and care of injuries.

Beginning July 1, 2022, the director of peak performance will lead a team of experts in each area to create and sustain this broad-based program, not only to maximize individual and team performance, but also to teach student-athletes how they can realize their potential in all aspects of their lives. The director will be expected to employ proven technologies to measure and improve mental preparedness, physical training and conditioning, injury risk mitigation, and readiness to return from injury. The director will also be responsible for ensuring timely and accurate communication between student athletes and all staff members and medical professionals involved in their development and care.

We encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the diversity of our college, including its cultural and ethnic diversity.

Director of Peak Performance

Department of Athletics

Full-time, Exempt, Salaried, Administrative Staff Appointment

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrate vision and leadership in strategic planning and the ability to manage competing priorities and diverse viewpoints among performance team staff
• Design and coordinate a comprehensive sports performance program to assess and enhance student athlete readiness for elite performance and recovery
• Supervise all areas of Colby’s Peak Performance Team: sports medicine, strength and conditioning, sports science, sports dietetics, and sports psychology
• Establish relationships with key stakeholders throughout the athletics department to best meet the diverse needs of Colby College’s 32 varsity sports
• Develop enhanced training programs that will optimize performance, in collaboration with coaches and Peak Performance Team members
• Manage the use of all technological feedback tools and analyze data to make informed decisions about the physical and mental wellbeing student athletes
• Research and disseminate information to coaches and staff on current best practices for effective training techniques and performance analytics technologies
• Supervise all contacts with external performance vendors; Assess annual impacts and make programming modifications as needed
• Facilitate effective Performance Team meetings and encourage teamwork and collaboration to achieve program goals
• Deliver clear, timely, and accurate information to the various service area leaders and the coaching staff to assist them in decision making
• Foster relationships across campus to integrate with campus-wide initiatives and leverage the resources of the Colby community to support the needs of athletics
• Facilitate the integration of new performance strategies by researching and implementing the best practices in international elite sport performance
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in educational experience; master’s degree (or equivalent) in a sport or exercise science or related discipline preferred
• Strong leadership, organizational, and strategic planning skills; ability to develop, implement, and progress a comprehensive longitudinal program and adapt to the evolving needs of Colby athletics
• Innovative spirit; constantly searching for new ideas and solutions, challenging the status quo
• Demonstrated expertise in utilization of innovative applied sport science strategies to support high performance athletics
• Experience working in a performance team model, collaborating with or leading sports medicine, sports science, strength and conditioning, sports psychology, and sports dietetics programs
• Outstanding professionalism and adaptability; adept at balancing the various personalities, priorities, and initiatives of a college athletics department
• Comfortable working with a high degree of autonomy
• Ability to make an impact through work as a member of a team and diverse community
• Experience integrating multiple tracking and assessment tools to assess and drive optimal performance and recovery
• Excellent IT and technological skills; Knowledge geared toward sports training preferred
• Ability to travel with teams as necessary
• Excellent communication skills
• Valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

This position reports to the vice president and director of the Department of Athletics and oversees all facets of the Peak Performance Team. Regular interaction with students, coaches, administration, as well as the general College community.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
This position requires the ability to lift at least 100 lbs., as well as the ability to perform and instruct Olympic lifts, core lifting exercises, and other movement activities. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Individual will be on their feet, working throughout the day in multiple training venues including but not limited to:

• Athletic Training room
• Weight room
• Aerobics room/erg room
• Basketball court
• Ice hockey rink
• Field house/track
• Aquatics
• Squash court
• Outdoor training facilities (soccer, lacrosse, football, softball, baseball, rugby)

The scope of the position requires frequent weekend, evening and/or early morning work.

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the "Apply" button on the Colby College website. Please submit a letter of interest, resume, and the contact information of three professional references. Materials should be addressed to:

Director of Peak Performance

Search Committee

Office of Human Resources

Colby College

5500 Mayflower Hill

Waterville, ME 04901-8855

A review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.