Director, Performance Nutrition

Job Type

Full-time

Description

U.S. Soccer Overview

The U.S. Soccer Federation exists in service to soccer. Our aim is to ignite a national passion for the game. Because we believe that soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good.

We understand the importance and the power of teamwork, on and off the pitch. That is why we work closely with our Federation partners and members, to inspire, support and guide every level of the game: from the grassroots to the National Teams. We want to bring soccer into every home and every community, right across America. Because we believe that soccer can transform lives like no other sport. Soccer can represent the best of U.S.

U.S. Soccer is in a period of significant growth, with ambitious plans for U.S. Soccer in the near and far future. We are, therefore, looking for dynamic servant leaders to join us on this journey: in service to soccer. Applicants must be able to demonstrate visionary leadership, analytical decision-making, professional flexibility, and an empathic management style that builds bold teams and delivers globally significant results.

Position Description

U.S. Soccer is seeking an innovative and collaborative leader to serve as the Director of Performance Nutrition. As a senior leader within the Integrated Performance Support (IPS) Unit, this role will oversee the strategic vision, operational delivery, and continued evolution of performance nutrition and culinary services across the Federation’s National Team environments.

Working within a cross-functional team, this position will collaborate across Performance Medicine, Performance Science, Performance & Data Analytics, and Performance Innovation to support player development, health, performance, and longevity.

The Director will guide an integrated model that combines world-class performance nutrition, culinary operations, player and coach education, body composition strategy, recovery fueling, and performance dining experiences to support elite preparation and sustained high performance.

Working closely with the Executive Director of Culinary Services at the Arthur M. Blank National Training Center, National Team Performance Chefs, consulting sports dietitians, and IPS practitioners, this individual will build scalable systems and standards that elevate athlete care and performance support across Youth, Extended, and Senior National Team programs.

The ideal candidate is a progressive systems thinker and relationship-builder who thrives in collaborative, fast-paced, high-performance environments, brings a team-first mindset, and a passion for innovation.

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership, Culinary Operations & Network Management

• Lead and oversee U.S. Soccer’s Performance Nutrition & Culinary Services strategy across all National Team programs and events
• Direct and support a growing network that includes:
  • National Training Center Executive Chef
  • Full-time Performance Chef staff
  • Consulting and network sports dietitians
  • External nutrition partners (i.e.: Powerade)
• Establish operational standards, workflows, service expectations, and performance systems across all nutrition and culinary environments
• Collaborate with culinary leadership to deliver elite dining and fueling experiences at the National Training Center and during camps, competitions, and travel
• Develop scalable systems for menu planning, supplementation, hydration delivery, grab-and-go fueling, recovery stations, and performance dining operations
• Oversee vendor relationships, food sourcing strategies, inventory systems, budget planning, and quality assurance processes
• Create alignment and continuity across Youth & Extended National Team environments through centralized standards
• Build and support a high-performance culture centered on collaboration, innovation, learning, mentorship, and athlete service

Athlete Profiling, Fueling & Readiness Strategy

• Lead U.S. Soccer’s fueling optimization strategy
• Design and operationalize evidence-informed nutrition systems that maximize availability, adaptation, recovery, resilience, and long-term athlete health
• Lead body composition and athlete profiling initiatives in collaboration with Performance Science, Performance Medicine, and Performance & Data Analytics staff
• Establish federation-wide standards and best practices for body composition assessment, interpretation, reporting, and education
• Integrate body composition insights into individualized nutrition periodization, recovery planning, readiness management, and long-term athlete development strategies
• Support growth and maturation considerations within Youth National Team environments through integrated monitoring and education systems
• Collaborate across IPS to support integrated performance planning and real-time readiness management processes
• Utilize data-informed approaches to optimize fueling, hydration, recovery, and player availability strategies

Integrated Performance Collaboration

• Operate as a senior leader within a transdisciplinary Integrated Performance Support model built around shared accountability and collaborative decision-making
• Contribute to athlete profiling and long-term player development systems
• Partner with Performance Innovation and Data Analytics to evolve monitoring systems, education tools, and performance nutrition technologies
• Support integrated performance planning processes that align technical, tactical, physical, psychosocial and nutritional priorities into one unified preparation strategy
• Collaborate with clubs, external providers, and federation stakeholders to ensure continuity and alignment of athlete support systems
• Contribute to the continued evolution of U.S. Soccer’s high-performance environments and athlete experience standards

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Exercise Science, or related field required; PhD preferred
• Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) in good standing with applicable state licensure
• Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD)
• ISAK Level 1 (or higher) accreditation
• Minimum 8 years of experience in elite sport, professional sport, collegiate athletics, Olympic sport, or federation environments
• Demonstrated experience leading integrated performance nutrition programs and/or culinary performance operations
• Experience managing interdisciplinary staff, consultants, vendors, or distributed service networks
• Strong applied expertise in body composition assessment, athlete profiling, nutrition periodization, and performance fueling strategies within elite sport environments
• Experience collaborating within interdisciplinary performance and medical teams
• Knowledge of WADA, USADA, FIFA, and anti-doping best practices related to supplementation and athlete education
• Strong operational leadership, communication, organizational, and project management skills
• Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments
• Must be able to connect "micro" details to the "macro" vision and mission
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook)
• Ability to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and extensive domestic/international travel

Desired Qualifications

• Previous experience within professional sport, Olympic sport, and National Team environments is desired

U.S. Soccer offers a comprehensive compensation package, casual work environment, an inclusive culture, and an atmosphere for professional development.

U.S. Soccer is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, military status, political belief, or any other characteristic protected under the law. This policy applies to all our employment practices within our organization. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA, veterans, parents, and persons with disabilities to apply