Senior Director, Applied Sciences

Description Are you mission-driven and passionate about helping others succeed? Do you strive to lead, follow, and act with integrity? Are you the one who honors your commitments? Is building trusting relationships an integral part of why you do what you do? Do you push limits and challenge the status quo? If you answered YES , keep reading to discover how you can significantly contribute to Team USA’s success!

Here’s a Summary Of Responsibilities The Senior Director, Applied Sciences is responsible for advancing the integration, quality, and impact of performance science services across Team USA. The role oversees a team of Physiology and Strength & Conditioning professionals and partners closely with the Senior Directors of Winter and Summer Sport Strategy to drive the implementation of the Winter and Summer Sport Plans through the application of performance science. A senior leader within the Olympic & Paralympic High Performance team, this position is responsible for advancing the integration, quality, and impact of performance science services across Team USA.

The Senior Director provides high-level strategy and performance consultation to the Vice President of Olympic & Paralympic High Performance and leads the development of a national network of applied performance science professionals who support sport-specific initiatives in partnership with National Governing Bodies (NGBs). This work will be achieved through the application of best-practice principles in the design, planning, implementation, and evaluation of applied performance sciences.

Here’s How You’ll Have An Impact Strategic Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead the development, delivery, and integration of applied performance sciences into the high performance strategies of Team USA, ensuring that services are aligned with sport-specific goals and long-term athlete development.
• Contribute to the strategic development and operational delivery of the Winter and Summer Sport Plans.
• Collaborate closely with USOPC Sports Medicine on the delivery of Performance Medicine to ensure holistic athlete care and continuity across disciplines.
• Collaborate with senior leaders across High Performance to co-develop new services, processes, and systems that improve athlete outcomes and institutional effectiveness.

Applied Science Leadership & Best Practices

• Oversee the delivery and continuous improvement of applied performance science services, grounded in evidence-based methodologies.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date knowledge of global trends and leading research in training, recovery, and performance monitoring.
• Design and share best-practice frameworks and models with NGBs and internal teams to elevate consistency and impact across the sport system.

External Engagement & Knowledge Partnerships

• Establish and sustain working relationships with external partners—including universities, international sporting organizations, and research institutions—to inform and advance USOPC performance science offerings.
• Actively seek opportunities to collaborate on applied research and innovation projects that benefit Team USA athletes and coaches.

Data-Driven Program Evaluation

• Partner with the Senior Director, Summer Sport Strategy and Senior Director, Winter Sport Strategy to ensure methodological consistency, data-informed decision-making, and knowledge sharing.
• Design and implement systems to track and document the measurable impact of applied performance science interventions.
• Analyze and interpret data to inform decision-making, enhance athletic performance, reduce injury incidence, and improve athlete health and wellbeing.
• Communicate outcomes to key stakeholders through reports, presentations, and strategic updates.

Team & Network Oversight

• Direct and support the Physiology and Strength & Conditioning teams, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on excellence, impact, innovation, and service delivery.
• Develop and deploy a national network of qualified sport science professionals in alignment with NGB needs and USOPC strategy.
• Create systems of quality assurance, performance review, and knowledge exchange across the internal team and external network.
• Lead the Applied Sciences team, including hiring, mentoring, coaching, and motivating to maximize collective performance. Contribute to an atmosphere for outstanding teamwork through clear expectations, frequent communication, and providing fair and consistent feedback. Manage the performance of team members effectively.
• Perform other duties as assigned in service of Team USA’s success.

Here are the skills and experience you’ll need to be effective:

• Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, Sport Science, Biomechanics, or a related field
• Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology, Sport Science, Biomechanics, or a related field preferred
• Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid passport
• Must possess a valid driver’s license
• 12+ years of progressive experience in high performance sport environments, including team leadership
• Demonstrated expertise in applied performance science strategy, implementation, and evaluation
• Proven ability to lead teams and influence performance strategy in complex, resource-constrained environments
• Proven success working in partnership with coaches, NGBs, and multidisciplinary support teams
• Proven track record of creating and maintaining trusting relationships with various stakeholders
• Deep understanding of athlete development, sport systems, Games preparation, and the Olympic & Paralympic ecosystem
• Previous experience applying performance science services for elite athletes
• Experience with managing networks and/or distributed professional groups is highly desirable
• Strong strategic thinking, decision-making, and planning abilities
• Demonstrated ability to lead a dynamic, multi-faceted team
• Strong knowledge of global best practices in athlete monitoring, recovery, and training methodology
• Data literacy with the ability to translate sport science data into actionable performance insights
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and athlete-centered service
• Comfortable managing complexity and ambiguity while delivering measurable results

Here Are The Tools, Equipment, & Conditions

• Standard office equipment
• Specialized performance science training and field equipment
• Frequent travel domestically and internationally, including to Colorado Springs and Lake Placid Olympic & Paralympic Training Centers (OPTCs)
• Non-traditional work hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and some for extended periods
• Regular attendance at work is an essential job function

Here’s Where You’ll Work Colorado Springs Olympic & Paralympic Training Center / Hybrid

Remote work options may be available

Here’s Some More Information You Need To Know

• Hiring pay range $136,805 – $173,742 per year
• This Full-Time, Exempt position is intended to work 40 hours per week.
• Bonus: This position will be eligible for the Annual Incentive Award Program, which has a 20% target. The USOPC may change or eliminate this program at any time at its sole discretion.
• Benefits: This position will be eligible for USOPC benefits. You can view a summary here.