Strength & Conditioning Coach, MLV DC - Contract (7180)

MLV DC Strength & Conditioning Coach

Employer: The St. James
Location: Springfield, VA — MLV DC’s training facility and home playing venue at The St. James
Position Type: Seasonal, November–May
Schedule: Variable hours, primarily weekday mornings and home matches
Compensation: Seasonal stipend, commensurate with experience

About Major League Volleyball

Major League Volleyball (MLV) brings together elite athletes and world-class competition to advance professional volleyball in the United States. With a commitment to athlete development, commercial innovation, and global ambition, MLV connects professional play with opportunities on the world stage. Learn more at ProVolleyball.com.

About MLV DC

MLV DC will bring women’s professional volleyball to the nation’s capital as an expansion team in the 2027 season. Building on the region’s strong youth participation, collegiate talent, and passionate sports community, the franchise will create new opportunities for athletes and fans to connect with the sport. MLV DC joins the All United Sports and Entertainment (AUSE) portfolio, led by CEO Jason Levien, which also includes D.C. United and DC Power.

Position Summary

The St. James is seeking a Strength & Conditioning Coach to lead the physical preparation and performance development of MLV DC athletes. This role will design and deliver evidence-based training programs that build strength, power, speed, and movement efficiency while supporting recovery, athlete availability, and sustained performance throughout the season.

Working closely with the Head Coach, Athletic Trainer, medical staff, and performance team, the coach will use athlete assessments and workload data to guide individualized training decisions. The ideal candidate brings experience developing elite female athletes, a strong understanding of volleyball’s physical demands, and the ability to translate sports science data into practical coaching recommendations.

This position is employed by The St. James and supports MLV DC.

Key Responsibilities

Strength & Conditioning

• Design and lead individualized and team-based programs tailored to athlete needs, position demands, and the competition schedule.

• Develop preseason, in-season, and postseason training plans, with offseason guidance as appropriate to the role’s seasonal scope.

• Lead team strength sessions, movement preparation, and conditioning activities to improve power, explosiveness, speed, agility, and movement efficiency.

• Adjust training volume and intensity based on athlete readiness, performance trends, and court workload.

• Maintain a safe, organized training environment and reinforce proper technique.

Sports Science & Performance Monitoring

• Use ForceDecks, velocity-based training systems, jump testing, and other available technologies to assess performance and inform programming.

• Monitor neuromuscular readiness, force production, landing mechanics, asymmetries, and fatigue.

• Establish athlete baselines, conduct regular assessments, and maintain accurate training and performance records.

• Translate assessment results into clear, actionable recommendations for coaching and medical staff.

• Track training and competition loads and recommend modifications that support performance and recovery.

Injury Risk Reduction & Return to Performance

• Implement evidence-based strategies that address the physical demands and common injury risks of volleyball.

• Identify movement limitations and communicate concerns to the Athletic Trainer and medical staff.

• Collaborate on individualized return-to-performance plans following injury.

• Deliver progressive strength and conditioning activities within established medical guidance and the coach’s scope of practice.

• Support a coordinated transition back to training and competition, with medical clearance determined by the appropriate healthcare professional.

Staff Collaboration & Athlete Education

• Coordinate with volleyball coaches to align weight room programming with practice, competition, and recovery demands.

• Participate in relevant staff meetings and communicate athlete readiness, progress, and performance concerns.

• Collaborate with sports medicine, nutrition, and recovery professionals to support consistent athlete care.

• Educate athletes on recovery, sleep, hydration, and performance habits, reinforcing nutrition guidance from qualified professionals.

• Build a training culture grounded in professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Handle athlete health and performance information with discretion.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Sports Performance, or a related field.

• Current Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification.

• Current CPR/AED certification.

• At least three years of strength and conditioning experience working with elite athletes.

• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering performance programs for female athletes.

• Ability to interpret performance data and apply findings to individualized programming.

• Strong coaching, communication, organization, and collaboration skills.

• Availability to work the seasonal schedule, including weekday mornings and home matches.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Sports Science, Exercise Science, or a related field.

• Experience with professional, NCAA Division I, or Olympic-level athletes, particularly in volleyball.

• Familiarity with volleyball-specific workload management, jump demands, and competition preparation.

• Experience collaborating with sports medicine professionals on return-to-performance programming.

• Proficiency with VALD Performance systems, velocity-based training tools, athlete management software, and workload-monitoring technologies.

• Experience using Microsoft Excel or data visualization tools to communicate performance trends.

Work Location & Schedule

This position is based in the Washington, DC region and works primarily at The St. James in Springfield, VA. The seasonal appointment runs from November through May. Hours vary according to team needs, with primary commitments during weekday mornings and home matches.

The St. James is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process.