Recreation & Sport Operations: Associate Head Strength and Performance Coach
Job Information
POSITION:
A full-time, professional academic staff positions are available in the Recreation and Sport Operations department beginning in July 2025.The working title for this assignment is Associate Head Strength and Sport Performance Coach with an official title of Strength and Conditioning Assistant Coach. This is a renewable assignment, contingent on performance and funding. The salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology or similar field
- Current CSCS or SCCC certification
- Current CPR/AED and First Aid certification
- Experience in program design, organization and implementation for intercollegiate athletic programs in an intern capacity or graduate assistant capacity
- Experience with record keeping of training and testing data
- Demonstrated ability to maintain professional working relationships with athletic training, academic, and sport coaching staff
- Communication experience with head sport coaches
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology or similar field
- 2+ years of collegiate strength and performance experience in an assistant coach, intern, or graduate assistant capacity
- Demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively communicate with student-athletes, administration, academics, and other University staff
- Experience with performance training technology such as TeamBuildr, Catapult GPS, DASHR, VALD, Freelap Timing Systems, Ballistic Ball, Google products, Microsoft office products
- Experience working with volunteer interns in a supervisory capacity
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusiveness
- Desire to pursue additional professional development
The Associate Head Strength and Performance Coach helps manage daily operations of both our 7,800-square foot McPhee Strength and Performance facility along with our 900 square foot auxiliary performance training facility. The position assists in managing the Strength and Performance program for athletes and general student population. The MSPC is a shared-use facility serving the needs of Recreation, Athletics, and Kinesiology. In assisting with this type of facility, the individual must be a liaison and work closely with individuals from throughout campus and the community to ensure quality customer service. The individual must be flexible in terms of hours worked; late evenings, weekends, and holiday work will be a necessity.
The Associate Head Strength and Performance Coach is responsible for assisting with program design, implementation, monitoring and improvement. Other responsibilities include communication with coaches, athletic training staff and administration, while maintaining and organizing training records and facility supervision. Applicants must possess outstanding people skills, leadership skills, and a desire to improve the athletic performance of our MSPC members and student athletes while bringing energy and passion to the Recreation department.
PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES
- Coordinate strength and conditioning programs for assigned varsity athletic teams, Recreation sport clubs, and general student population.
- Work with the Strength and Performance Staff, athletic coaches, and athletic training staff with the development and implementation of comprehensive in-season and off-season strength and conditioning programs to improve athletic performance for 25 university-sponsored programs. It is essential to be in compliance with all NCAA guidelines, rules, and regulations.
- Utilize multiple forms of technology to implement, assess, and track performance and make training adjustments accordingly.
- Deliver programming to student athletes through TeamBuildr software.
- Lead our departments performance tracking strategies with GPS.
- Meet with the Strength and Performance Staff (at minimum) weekly to review programming, scheduling, and facility needs.
- With the assistance of the Head Strength and Performance Coach and the assistant strength and performance coach, organize, market, and run a summer strength and performance camp for youth.
- Set-up communication groups with each team of athletes to increase efficiency of training.
- In collaboration with the Head Strength and Performance Coach, facilitate educational process for students enrolled in the undergraduate apprenticeship program.
- Assist in management of facility including enforcement of policies and procedures.
- Communicate extensively with Strength and Performance Coach on facility hours and collaborative programming.
- Engage in professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge in this competitive field.
- Attend all Recreation staff meetings, retreats, special events and trainings.
UNIT:
The UW-Eau Claire Strength and Performance Department provides performance programming for all 25 NCAA Division III athletic teams. We strive to offer student-athletes opportunities to maximize their abilities through the utilization of a scientifically supported, comprehensive approach, addressing the demands of each sport and developing athletes who are durable, adaptable and robust.
UNIVERSITY and EAU CLAIRE COMMUNITY: UW-Eau Claire, an institution of approximately 10,000 students and 1,200 faculty and staff, is consistently recognized as a top comprehensive university in the Midwest and is widely known as a leader in faculty-undergraduate research and study abroad. We strive for excellence in liberal education and select graduate and professional programs through commitment to teaching and learning and dedication to our core values of diversity, sustainability, leadership, and innovation.
The City of Eau Claire, situated at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers, is at the center of a metropolitan area of approximately 100,000 people located 90 miles east of Minneapolis/St. Paul. The area features beautiful parks and trails, strong public schools, a vibrant arts scene and local food culture, and abundant recreational opportunities.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Applications are submitted electronically. Please follow instructions found on the following UW-Eau Claire Website: http://wisconsin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UW_Comprehensives. You must create an account and login before you can apply. Please be sure you have included the following in PDF format:
- Cover letter
- Resume/curriculum vita
- Names and contact information for three references.
Please direct requests for additional information to:
Zac Ruch, Head Strength and Performance Coach; ruchzj@uwec.edu
To ensure consideration, completed applications must be received by Friday, July 21st, 2025. However, screening may continue until position is filled.
The university reserves the right to contact additional references with notice given to the candidates at an appropriate time in the process. Employment will require a background check. Employment will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding past conduct related to sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. §. 19.36(7).
The UW-Eau Claire Police Department is dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment for learning and working. Although crime at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is limited, the University Police want students, faculty and staff to be aware of crime on campus and the area surrounding the campus. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose annual information about campus crime.
EEO STATEMENT
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.