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Athletic Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$50K/yr

Lead successful execution of Athletic Development events, specifically focusing on enhancing ... revenue generating events and sport alumni weekends * Collaborate with sport liaisons and coaching ...

Job Title Athletics Development Officer Agency Texas A&M University - Texarkana Department ... Collaborate with athletic department leadership, coaches, and university advancement staff to ...

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Athletic Development information

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$22.5K

$52.8K

$116K

How much do athletic development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for athletic development in the United States is $52,791.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,500.00 and $51,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is athletic development?

Athletic development refers to the process of improving an individual's overall physical abilities, skills, and performance for sports or physical activities. It involves structured training programs that focus on strength, speed, agility, endurance, flexibility, and sport-specific skills. Athletic development is essential for athletes of all ages and skill levels to maximize their potential, prevent injuries, and achieve long-term success in their chosen sport.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in athletic development?

To excel in Athletic Development, you need a solid background in exercise science, kinesiology, or related fields, often supported by a relevant degree and practical coaching experience. Familiarity with performance analysis software, strength and conditioning certifications (such as CSCS), and modern training equipment is vital. Outstanding interpersonal skills, motivational ability, and adaptability help build rapport with athletes and tailor programs to individual needs. These competencies are crucial for maximizing athletic performance, ensuring safety, and fostering long-term growth in athletes.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in athletic development, and how can they be overcome?

Professionals in Athletic Development often encounter challenges such as balancing the diverse needs of athletes, integrating new training technologies, and staying updated with the latest research in sports science. Managing individual and team progress while preventing injuries requires strong communication skills and adaptability. Collaborating closely with coaches, medical staff, and athletes is key to creating tailored development plans and ensuring optimal performance. Continuous professional development and networking with industry peers can help overcome these challenges and promote career growth.

What is the difference between Athletic Development vs Strength and Conditioning Coach?

AspectAthletic DevelopmentStrength and Conditioning Coach
CredentialsCertifications like NSCA CSCS, NASM, or USAW; relevant degrees in sports science or kinesiologySimilar certifications; often holds NSCA CSCS or CSCCa certifications
Work EnvironmentWorks with athletes on skill, agility, and overall athleticism, often in training facilities or sports teamsFocuses on improving strength, power, and conditioning, typically in gyms or training centers
Employer & IndustrySports teams, youth programs, athletic training centersColleges, professional sports teams, fitness facilities

While both roles aim to enhance athletic performance, Athletic Development emphasizes overall athletic skills and sport-specific training, whereas Strength and Conditioning Coaches focus primarily on physical strength and conditioning. Both careers require similar certifications and often overlap in work environments, but their core focus areas differ slightly.

More about Athletic Development jobs

What cities are hiring for Athletic Development jobs?

Cities with the most Athletic Development job openings:

What states have the most Athletic Development jobs?

States with the most job openings for Athletic Development jobs include:

Infographic showing various Athletic Development job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,791 per year, or $25.4 per hour.

Academy- Lead Athletic Development Coach

Nashville, TN โ€ข On-site

Nashville Soccer Club
Spectator Sportsย โ€ขย 11 - 50 employees

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago


Job description

NO PHONE CALLS OR EMAILS, PLEASE. Thanks for your interest! Due to the volume of applications, we're unable to respond to individual status inquiries. If selected to move forward, you'll hear from our HR team at Nashville Soccer Club.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Athletic Development Coach will lead the Long-Term Athletic Development (LTAD) program for the Nashville SC Academy in alignment with the High Performance philosophy. This role works closely with High Performance staff across NSC and HCFC to design and implement team and individual programs, both in the gym and on the field, to optimize youth athlete development.
The ideal candidate has coaching or strength & conditioning experience, formal education in exercise physiology or a related field, and expertise in load management for youth soccer.
This position reports to the Director of High Performance and the Head of Athletic Development for the First Team, and collaborates with the Academy Director, Athletic Trainers, and performance staff to support a collaborative, high-performance environment.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of elite youth soccer players!
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Lead and oversee on-field warm-ups, cool-downs, strength training, and prehabilitation sessions, as well as individualized training for targeted or rehabilitating players in collaboration with medical staff.
  • Design and implement individual and team off-season training programs.
  • Foster strong relationships with players and staff to effectively deliver performance programs.
  • Develop educational materials to promote best practices in athletic development and sport performance, aligning with the High Performance department's initiatives.
  • Organize and maintain field and gym equipment.
  • Travel with the team to games and events as needed.
  • Stay current with the latest research and best practices for future program implementation.
  • Contribute to and enhance LTAD programming, including data collection, testing, analytics, and reporting to optimize youth player performance.
  • Manage player performance data, including distributing devices, processing and inputting data, wellness monitoring, testing administration, RPE collection, analysis, and reporting.
  • Utilize performance monitoring tools and technologies to track player performance and support injury prevention strategies.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
  • Undergraduate (Bachelor's) Degree from a 4-year accredited University in related field of study such as Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Sport Science, Biomechanics, Strength & Conditioning, and/or similar
  • NSCA-CSCS (Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist)
  • CPR Certification

PREFERRED
  • Graduate (Master's) Degree from an accredited University in related field of study
  • 2-3 years experience working with youth soccer within the United States
  • NSCA-CPSS (Certified Performance and Sport Scientist)
  • Functional Movement Screening (FMS) and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) Level 1
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.