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Sports Performance Director Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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Pilates Instructor

Chesapeake, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Reporting Structure Reports to the Fitness Manager, Fitness Director, or General Manager Day to Day ... Background in sports performance, corrective exercise. Ability to cross-promote and collaborate ...

Maximus

Cognitive Performance Specialist (CPS)

Chesapeake, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... and sport psychology. - Provide information, education, and training on cognitive performance ... directed by USSOCOM Directive 10-12. - Perform additional duties as assigned by local leadership ...

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Sports Performance Director information

See Virginia salary details

$20.3K

$50.2K

$83.8K

How much do sports performance director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for sports performance director in Virginia is $50,219.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39,700.00 and $54,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a sports performance director do?

A Sports Performance Director oversees athletic training programs designed to enhance athletes’ physical performance, reduce injury risk, and support overall health. They develop and implement strength and conditioning programs, coordinate with coaches and medical staff, and supervise performance staff such as trainers and nutritionists. Their role often includes monitoring athlete progress, utilizing sports science data, and ensuring best practices in training and recovery. Sports Performance Directors typically work for professional teams, colleges, or specialized training facilities.

How does a sports performance director collaborate with coaches and medical staff to optimize athlete performance?

A Sports Performance Director works closely with coaches, athletic trainers, and medical professionals to create holistic training and recovery plans tailored to each athlete. This role involves regular meetings to review performance data, discuss injury prevention strategies, and adjust training loads. Clear communication and a team-oriented mindset are crucial, as the director must balance input from various specialists to ensure athletes reach peak performance while minimizing injury risks. Collaboration also extends to educating athletes and staff about best practices in nutrition, recovery, and conditioning.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a sports performance director, and why are they important?

A Sports Performance Director needs expertise in exercise science, athletic training, and program management, often supported by a relevant degree and professional certifications such as CSCS or NASM. Familiarity with performance analysis software, athlete monitoring systems, and recovery technologies is typically required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help foster collaboration among coaches, athletes, and medical staff. These competencies are crucial for optimizing athlete development, ensuring safety, and achieving organizational performance goals.

What is the difference between Sports Performance Director vs Strength and Conditioning Coach?

AspectSports Performance DirectorStrength and Conditioning Coach
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's or master's in exercise science, sports science, or related fields; certifications like CSCS or SCCC are commonUsually holds CSCS, NSCA, or similar certifications; may have a degree in exercise science or related areas
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple teams or sports programs, develops overall performance strategies, and manages staffWorks directly with athletes to improve strength, conditioning, and performance through training sessions
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in professional, collegiate, and high school sports organizations for broad performance managementCommonly employed by sports teams, gyms, and training facilities focusing on athlete conditioning

The Sports Performance Director focuses on strategic oversight and program development across teams or organizations, while the Strength and Conditioning Coach works directly with athletes to enhance their physical performance through targeted training. Both roles require similar certifications but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Sports Performance jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Sports Performance jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Sports Performance Director jobs in Virginia?

For Sports Performance Director jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Sports Performance Director jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Sports Performance Director jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Sports Performance Director jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Sports Performance Director job openings:

Sports Performance Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Sports Performance Director job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,219 per year, or $24.1 per hour.

Sport Psychologist, Intercollegiate Athletics

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA • On-site

$110/hr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

George Mason University rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

126th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Department: UL
Classification: Professional Faculty
Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)
Location: Fairfax, VA
Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible
Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship
Salary: Salary range starting in the $110k's, commensurate with education and experience
Criminal Background Check: Yes
About the Department:
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at George Mason University provides comprehensive, inclusive, and accessible mental health services that support students' psychological well-being, academic success, and personal development. CAPS collaborates across University Life and academic and administrative partners, including Intercollegiate Athletics, to promote resilience, equity, and holistic student success.
About the Position:
The Sport Psychologist serves as Intercollegiate Athletics' senior leader overseeing the delivery of comprehensive mental health and wellbeing services for all student-athletes within Mason. This position is responsible for developing and executing a strategic vision for mental health care that reflects the demands of elite collegiate athletics, emphasizing proactive wellbeing, crisis management, and peak performance support.
The Sport Psychologist leads a multidisciplinary mental health team and work collaboratively with the Chief Medical Officer, Sports Medicine, Sports Performance, Nutrition, and Academic Support to promote a holistic model of care. This individual ensures that services align with best practices, NCAA and SEC standards, and the department's commitment to student-athlete welfare and competitive excellence.
Responsibilities:
Administration, Compliance, and Leadership
  • Develops, implements, and evaluates mental health policies, emergency response procedures, and best practice protocols to ensure high-quality, compliant, and risk-informed care delivery that supports student-athlete well-being while optimizing performance consistency and competitive readiness;
  • Leads and oversees the athletics mental health team to ensure consistent service delivery, accountability, and professional standards and development; and
  • Ensures compliance with NCAA and institutional guidelines related to mental health to uphold regulatory standards and protect student-athlete wellbeing.

Direct Clinical Services
  • Provides individual psychotherapy, case management, and crisis intervention services to student-athletes to support mental health stabilization, recovery, and ongoing well-being within elite performance demands; and
  • Participates in daytime and after-hour on-call systems as needed to ensure timely response to urgent and emergent student-athlete needs.

Education, Prevention, and Performance Optimization
  • Integrates performance psychology principles and concepts into care and programming to enhance and support mental preparation, focus, resilience, and recovery outcomes;
  • Develops and implements in partnership with coaches and support staff tailored team-based initiatives that promote a positive mental health culture and early intervention;
  • Engages directly with student-athletes and team in applied settings (e.g. practices, team meetings, and selected competitions including occasional travel with the team) to increase service utilization and support well-being and performance in real-time environments;
  • Designs and delivers education and prevention programs in collaboration with the Health Promotions Educator to build mental health literacy, resilience, and help-seeking behaviors among student-athletes, coaches, and staff; and
  • Evaluates and assesses mental health programs and services to measure effectiveness, guide improvements, and inform strategic decision-making.

Collaboration and Integration
  • Serves as a core member of the Sports Medicine and Performance leadership team to align interdisciplinary care and optimize student-athlete health and performance outcomes;
  • Leads case management discussions and provide clinical consultation in multidisciplinary meetings to support and address effective decision-making for complex or high-acuity cases;
  • Collaborates with campus mental health, medical, and well-being partners to provide coordinated, seamless integration of services and resources to ensure continuity of care;
  • Supports divisional planning initiatives and other special projects as assigned;
  • Actively participates in UL divisional meetings, initiatives, and in-person events to stay connected with divisional and institutional priorities, and to foster a cross-unit collaboration;
  • Participates in professional development workshops and training sessions for staff across the division to promote continuous learning and skill enhancement;
  • Stays informed about best practices, research, and emerging trends in higher education and student support services to ensure CAPS remains innovative and responsive to the evolving needs of the student body;
  • Supports and volunteers at divisional programs and events, contributing to a culture of service and community within the division; and
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
  • Terminal degree in a related field;
  • Experience (typically obtained in 3+ years) providing psychological services to student-athletes or comparable elite populations;
  • Demonstrated experience providing clinical supervision;
  • Demonstrated experience working effectively with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds.
  • Knowledge of clinical psychology, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions;
  • Working knowledge of sport psychology, performance psychology, and mental skills training as applied to competitive athletes or similar populations;
  • Knowledge of ethical principles and legal standards governing psychological practice, including confidentiality, mandated reporting, and documentation;
  • Knowledge of NCAA regulations, institutional policies, and best practices related to student-athlete mental health and wellbeing;
  • Skill in providing psychological services to athletes or similar populations across a range of presenting concerns, including high-acuity and crisis situations;
  • Skill in providing clinical guidance and consultation within multidisciplinary teams, including case management discussions;
  • Skill in developing, implementing, and evaluating mental health policies, emergency response procedures, and clinical protocols;
  • Skill in leading case management discussions and providing clinical consultation within multidisciplinary teams;
  • Ability to exercise advanced clinical judgment in complex, high-risk, and time-sensitive situations;
  • Ability to manage competing clinical, administrative, and leadership responsibilities in a high-demand environment; and
  • Licensed or license-eligible psychologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia in accordance with the Virginia Board of Psychology's license and testing requirements

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) or in pursuit of certification;
  • Experience working within a Division I intercollegiate athletics environment;
  • Experience in a university counseling center;
  • Knowledge of prevention science, resilience-building, and mental health programming in collegiate or elite sport settings;
  • Skill in delivering education and training for coaches, staff, and student-athletes on mental health awareness, early intervention, and performance-related topics;
  • Ability to adapt clinical and educational approaches to sports, teams, and individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds; and
  • Supervision of licensed and license-eligible mental health providers.

Instructions to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants must apply for Sport Psychologist, Intercollegiate Athletics at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.
Posting Open Date: August 12, 2026
For Full Consideration, Apply by: August 31, 2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
Mason Ad Statement
George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 research university committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, offering degree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level, along with certificates and credentials.
George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment for students, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. We believe in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancing our mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; and we believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity of origin, identity, circumstance, and thought.
Equity Statement
George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.
Campus Safety Information
Mason's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/

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