Performance Coach - Real Monarchs

About us

Utah Royals FC, Real Salt Lake, Real Monarchs, and the RSL Academy are united by a shared mission of winning together through development. We are committed to building world-class teams by investing in people - developing players, staff, and leaders through collaboration, growth, and a high-performance culture. If you're passionate about sport and motivated to grow your career in a purpose-driven organization, we invite you to join us.

Summary:

The Performance Coach – Real Monarchs is responsible for leading the physical preparation, strength and conditioning, load monitoring, and recovery programs for Real Monarchs players competing in MLS NEXT Pro. This position plays a critical role in optimizing player performance, reducing injury risk, and preparing emerging professional players for the physical demands of first-team soccer.

Reporting to the Head of Academy Physical Performance, the Performance Coach collaborates closely with the Real Monarchs coaching staff, medical personnel, and Real Salt Lake's first-team performance department to ensure a consistent and integrated approach to player development across the Club.

The ideal candidate is a knowledgeable, hands-on performance professional with experience in elite soccer environments, strong analytical capabilities, and a collaborative approach to athlete development and high-performance training.

Responsibilities Include:

• Lead and implement comprehensive physical preparation programs, including on-field conditioning, warm-ups, activation, strength training, power development, and injury-risk reduction strategies.

• Collaborate with the Real Monarchs Head Coach and Head of Academy Physical Performance to develop weekly training plans that align physical workloads with tactical objectives, match schedules, and the Club's periodization principles.

• Monitor and analyze player training loads using GPS technology, wearable devices, wellness questionnaires, and session ratings of perceived exertion (RPE).

• Partner with the Director of Data Science and Performance Analytics to interpret performance data and provide actionable recommendations regarding training intensity, workload management, and player readiness.

• Design and deliver individualized conditioning programs for non-starters, low-minute players, and players transitioning between the RSL Academy, Real Monarchs, and Real Salt Lake first team.

• Collaborate with athletic training and medical staff to support rehabilitation, modified training programs, and return-to-play progressions in accordance with medical guidance and clearance.

• Conduct periodic physical testing and performance assessments, including preseason, midseason, and postseason evaluations, to monitor player development and identify areas for improvement.

• Develop and maintain individualized player performance profiles based on position, physical development, injury history, competitive minutes, and performance objectives.

• Coordinate with Real Salt Lake's first-team performance staff to maintain consistency in training methodologies, performance standards, and player development practices.

• Prepare and communicate regular reports regarding training loads, physical testing results, performance trends, and player readiness to coaching and performance leadership.

• Educate players on recovery strategies, sleep, nutrition, and professional performance habits in collaboration with appropriate Club personnel.

• Travel with Real Monarchs for away matches and provide matchday support, including physical preparation, warm-ups, conditioning, and post-match recovery.

• Maintain accurate player performance records and ensure compliance with applicable Club policies, league requirements, and professional standards.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Sport Science, Strength and Conditioning, Kinesiology, or a related field.

• Minimum of three (3) years of applied experience in physical preparation, strength and conditioning, or sports performance within an elite collegiate, academy, or professional sports environment.

• Demonstrated experience working with soccer athletes in a competitive or high-performance environment.

• Current NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), UKSCA Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach (ASCC), or equivalent recognized certification.

• Proficiency in GPS tracking systems, wearable performance technology, force plates, and athlete management systems.

• Strong understanding of periodization, training load management, exercise physiology, and soccer-specific physical development.

• Ability to analyze performance data and translate findings into practical training recommendations.

• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with players, coaches, medical personnel, and performance staff.

• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and adapt to the demands of a professional soccer environment.

• Current CPR/AED certification.

• Ability to successfully complete required background screening and obtain and maintain SafeSport certification in accordance with Club and league requirements.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and regular team travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Sport Science, Strength and Conditioning, Exercise Physiology, or a related field.

• Previous performance coaching experience in MLS, MLS NEXT Pro, an MLS NEXT academy, or a comparable professional soccer development environment.

• Experience working within an integrated academy-to-first-team player development pathway.

• Proficiency in data analysis tools such as R, Python, or advanced Excel.

• Experience utilizing Power BI, Tableau, or similar performance reporting and visualization platforms.

• Familiarity with tactical periodization and game-model-based physical preparation.

• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

This position requires regular participation in indoor and outdoor training activities, including extended periods of standing, walking, running, and demonstrating physical exercises. Duties involve frequent movement throughout training fields, gym facilities, and stadium environments, as well as regularly lifting, carrying, or moving training equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.

Work is performed in varying weather conditions and at different altitudes, with regular exposure to outdoor environments. The position requires frequent travel and the ability to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, based on training and competition schedules. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Utah Soccer provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, compensation, benefits, training, and other employment practices.

Utah Soccer is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process. Applicants or employees requiring accommodation are encouraged to contact Human Resources.

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications associated with the position and is not an exhaustive list of all duties. Utah Soccer reserves the right to modify, supplement, or revise this job description at any time based on organizational needs.