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Athletic Development Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

University of Utah

Development Specialist

Salt Lake City, UT · On-site

$43K - $60K/yr

Position Overview Development Specialist - Events and Special Projects: This position serves as a ... Athlete Support & Training: Attend weekly Saturday running and cycling training sessions (November ...

City of New York

Youth Development Specialist

Bronx, NY · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Youth Development Specialists, under direct supervision during an assigned tour of duty will ... Experience described in 1 "a" & "c" above can include internships, volunteer work, athletic ...

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How much do athletic development specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for athletic development specialist in the United States is $81,632.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,500.00 and $99,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an athletic development specialist do?

An Athletic Development Specialist is responsible for designing and implementing training programs to enhance athletes' physical performance, strength, agility, and overall athletic ability. They assess individual and team needs, create personalized workouts, and monitor progress to help athletes reach their peak performance. These specialists often collaborate with coaches, physical therapists, and nutritionists to ensure a holistic approach to athlete development. Their work is crucial in both injury prevention and performance optimization for athletes at various skill levels.

How does an athletic development specialist typically collaborate with coaches and athletes to create effective training programs?

Athletic Development Specialists work closely with coaches to assess individual and team needs, design training regimens, and monitor athlete progress. They regularly meet with athletes to conduct evaluations, provide feedback, and adjust programs based on performance data and goals. Collaboration often involves multidisciplinary teams, including physical therapists and nutritionists, to ensure a holistic approach to athletic improvement. This role requires strong communication skills and adaptability, as training plans must be tailored to the evolving needs of both athletes and the overall team.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an athletic development specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Athletic Development Specialist, you need expertise in exercise science, kinesiology, and sports performance, often backed by a relevant bachelor's degree and certifications such as CSCS or NASM. Familiarity with performance testing tools, athlete management systems, and strength training equipment is commonly required. Exceptional communication, motivational skills, and the ability to build rapport help you effectively coach and inspire athletes. These skills and qualifications are vital for optimizing athletic performance, ensuring safety, and fostering long-term athlete development.

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

AspectAthletic Development SpecialistStrength and Conditioning Coach
CertificationsCSCS, NASM, or NSCA certificationsCSCS, NSCA, or CSCCa certifications
Work EnvironmentSchools, sports teams, youth programsColleges, professional teams, fitness facilities
Industry UsageFocuses on overall athletic performance and injury preventionFocuses on strength, power, and conditioning

The Athletic Development Specialist and Strength and Conditioning Coach roles share certifications and work environments, often overlapping in sports settings. However, the Athletic Development Specialist emphasizes holistic athletic performance and injury prevention, while the Strength and Conditioning Coach concentrates on improving strength and physical conditioning. Both roles are vital in sports performance but differ in their primary focus areas.

What is an athletic development specialist?

An athletic development specialist is a professional who designs and implements training programs to improve athletes' strength, speed, agility, and overall performance. They often work with athletes of various levels, utilizing knowledge of sports science, biomechanics, and nutrition, and may hold certifications such as CSCS or NSCA. Their role involves assessing athletes' needs, tracking progress, and ensuring safe, effective training environments.
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Athletic Development Specialist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Athletic Development Specialist 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 $81,632 per year, or $39.2 per hour.

Academy- Lead Athletic Development Coach

Nashville Soccer Club

Nashville, TN • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 27 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.

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