Job Description

TITLE: Head Academy Athletic Trainer

DEPARTMENT: Team Operations

REPORTS TO: Head Athletic Trainer

FLSA: Full-Time, Salary; Exempt

WHAT SETS YOU APART

The Head Academy ATC oversees, delivers, and develops the Academy medical program to ensure alignment with OCSC processes and service. The ideal teammate will be ready to support the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries for the club's Academy roster. The Head Academy Athletic Trainer will work closely with the sports medicine and sport science staff to keep our players healthy and available, while also contributing to the administration and coordination of medical coverage for training, practices, and matches.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee the alignment, implementation, and further development of the Academy medical program.
• Support and be on the forefront of all OCSC and Academy policies by ensuring best practice in areas such as safeguarding / health and safety throughout the Pre-formation and formation staff.
• Oversee, in collaboration with the Head Athletic Trainer, Head of Rehabilitation and the Academy High Performance Manager, the early-stage rehabilitation design and implementation of individualized rehabilitation programs and return to fitness protocols for all players in the Academy in collaboration with Head of Rehab.
• Provide match day cover for U11-18 matches and other matches as required.
• Oversee the implementation of medical screening of all players pre/post season and lead testing to facilitate physical profiling before recruitment as needed, in collaboration with the Academy High Performance Manager.
• Produce and oversee the Academy Injury audit.
• Manage, oversee, and coordinate the time of academy ATCs and medical Intern staff.
• Ensure that all necessary medical records are maintained.
• Liaise with Academy High Performance Manager on the development of each player as part of the multidisciplinary review process.
• Coordinate referrals for the athletes to the team physicians as needed.
• Manage and organize the Academy internal CPD program and engage in all external CPD as required by your role.
• Working autonomously to an agreed level and in the best interests of the Academy to support the Academy Director.
• Forging positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to benefit the Academy.
• Liaising with parents at critical moments related to medical topics/conditions.
• Provide feedback to the Academy Director and Academy Coaches in line with the OCSC injury reporting policies as it relates to the availability for training and matches.
• Complete a training needs analysis for all Academy medical staff.
• Ensure all Academy medical staff have an Individual Development Plan.
• Provide short-, medium-, and long-term targets for each Academy medical staff member.
• Collaborate with the Academy Director and Academy High Performance Manager to deliver on the strategic objectives of developing players for the first team pathway.
• Collaborate with the Academy High Performance Manager on research of player profiling and benchmarking for all Academy players.
• Be aware of performance outcomes to accumulate system learning aligned to the injury burden and utilize this insight to help optimize physical performance and player development.
• Other duties as assigned.

MONITORING:

• Observe the practices of the Academy medical staff on training and match days, ensuring the OCSC processes are delivered and aligned.
• Monitor match day preparation and lead debrief procedures with Head Coaches and Players in relation to medical issues.
• As it relates to medical issues, ensure all session plans and evaluations are carried out in line with the OCSC processes.
• Monitor and review Individual Development Plans every 12 weeks, or other timeframes as defined from time to time, to ensure player availability.
• Collaborate with the Academy High Performance Manager in assessing performance targets of each age group.
• Work closely with the Head Athletic Trainer and Director of Health and Performance on the performance review of medical staff.
• Provide, when requested, feedback reports to GM/VP Soccer Ops/Academy Director/Head ATC/Director of Health and Performance.
• Play an integral part with GM/VP Soccer Ops/Academy Director/Head ATC/Director of Health and Performance in the succession planning and recruitment for Academy medical positions.
• Develop close, open working relationships with all Coaches and staff.
• Organize a monthly, or other time frames as defined from time to time, coach meeting with Academy medical staff to ensure efficient communication.

QUALIFICATIONS

It’s never just a job at Orlando City SC.  It’s a way of life. We live and breathe soccer. We believe each role is as unique as the person who does it. To join our team, you will also possess these qualifications:

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience as a certified Athletic Trainer.
• Master’s degree or higher in a related healthcare field or a license.
• Current Athletic Training certification.
• Active Florida Athletic Trainer Licensure required or the ability to obtain quickly.
• In good standing with BOC.
• Maintain professional liability insurance.
• CPR certification for Health Care Provider.
• Dual-certified ATC/PT preferred.
• Preferred certification: CSCS, PES, CES and/or LMT.
• Able and willing to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and in non-traditional settings, within a professional team atmosphere.
• Must have the ability to relate professionally to all levels of staff, management, players, etc.
• Fluency in Spanish and/or Portuguese is desirable but not required.
• Ability to attain and maintain SafeSport certification.
• Ability to pass a background check.

About Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride:

In November 2013, Orlando City Soccer Club was awarded a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise, becoming the league’s 21st franchise. The team began play in March 2015, with 62,510 fans packing the then-Orlando Citrus Bowl for the Club’s MLS debut.

The Lions have reached the postseason in five-consecutive seasons (2020-24), qualified for the Concacaf Champions Cup (formerly Concacaf Champions League) in both 2023 and 2024, and reached their first final in 2020 during the MLS is Back Tournament. In 2022, Orlando City won its first championship of its MLS era, lifting the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy, which also marked the first championship by any professional team in the City Beautiful. Prior to its time in MLS, Orlando City boasted a decorated history in the United Soccer League, winning the league’s championship in both the 2011 and 2013 seasons.

In October 2015, the Orlando Pride was announced as the 10th team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), bringing professional women’s soccer to the state of Florida for the first time. The team began play in April 2016, setting a then-league single-game attendance record in its first-ever home game, with 23,403 fans witnessing the Club’s first win.

The Pride feature a star-studded roster of domestic and international talent and, in 2024, brought the first professional major league title to the city of Orlando, with the Club winning the NWSL Championship. The season saw the Pride complete the double, winning both the Championship and the NWSL Shield as the best team in the regular season, capping off a historic campaign that set numerous league records. Former Orlando City defender Seb Hines serves as the team’s head coach, not only the first Black head coach in the league, but also the first to win both the Championship and the NWSL Shield, and the 2024 NWSL Coach of the Year.

In 2017, both teams moved into its privately-owned, soccer-specific venue – Inter&Co Stadium – located in the heart of downtown Orlando.

In July 2021, the Club – which includes Orlando City SC, the Orlando Pride, Orlando City B (MLS NEXT Pro) and Inter&Co Stadium – was purchased by the Wilf Family, who also own the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.

For more information on Orlando City SC and Orlando, visit OrlandoCitySC.com or Orlando-Pride.com.

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.

Orlando City and Orlando Pride will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the job application or interview process and perform critical job functions. Please contact the People and Culture department at Peopleandculture@orlandocitysc.com to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.