Mandate:
The Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach & Sport Scientist is responsible for the strategic leadership, coordination, and delivery of evidence‑based physical preparation services for UVic Varsity Sport. The role ensures that student‑athletes receive high‑quality, developmentally appropriate programming that supports competitive performance, academic success, and personal wellbeing. Operating within a holistic, student‑centred framework, the Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach & Sport Scientist upholds Safe Sport principles and equity‑driven practice, contributes to a respectful and inclusive training environment, and ensures alignment with institutional priorities and the broader expectations of the Canadian post‑secondary sport system.
In partnership with CSI Pacific, the Lead provides advanced strength and conditioning leadership within an integrated high‑performance environment, supporting National, NextGen, and Performance Nation athletes and coaches. This includes contributing to interdisciplinary performance planning, implementing sport‑science monitoring systems, and applying data‑informed decision‑making to optimize athlete readiness, performance, and long‑term development. The role carries significant responsibility for managing physical, psychological, and organizational risk, ensuring that student- and elite-athletes a like receive world‑class preparation grounded in ethical practice, sound judgment, and continuous improvement.
The Lead also plays a key role in the development of emerging sport‑science professionals through applied teaching and mentorship as an adjunct instructor in the School of Education, Health, and Physical Education (EHPE). Responsibilities include supervising and advising undergraduate and graduate students, delivering inclusive and culturally responsive instruction, and integrating real‑world high‑performance practice into academic learning. The role contributes to departmental administration, academic service, and practitioner development, strengthening the connection between varsity sport, national high‑performance pathways, and the University’s academic mission. Through leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence, the Lead advances athlete success, program quality, and the growth of the sport‑science profession.
Objectives:
- Deliver purposeful, impactful, and evidence‑based strength and conditioning services to varsity and high‑performance athletes across CSI Pacific and UVic environments, including the design and delivery of integrated programs that optimize performance across multiple sports.
- Champion a safe, secure, and resilient program environment and a positive, values driven varsity sport culture by collaborating with institutional partners to develop, implement, and promote best practices in risk management, education, incident response, and the advancement of equity, diversity, inclusion, safe sport principles, and ethical leadership.
- Through the Applied Sports Science Pipeline develop, mentor, and supervise emerging applied practitioners (PhD, Master’s, and undergraduate students), fostering professional growth within a high‑performance, interdisciplinary setting.
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for the varsity program, exercising sound independent judgment and decision-making in complex, high-pressure environments to ensure program success and integrity.
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement in program planning and execution by applying advanced problem-solving, creativity, and resourcefulness to optimize athlete performance, program capacity, and overall effectiveness.
- Serve as a university-wide leader and advocate in fostering accessible, inclusive, and equitable environments, contributing expertise to institutional initiatives, and collaborating across units to advance shared priorities.
- Ensure sustainable high-performing operations through effective planning, resource management, and the application of data-informed approaches to optimize program delivery, efficiency, and long-term development.
- Integrate strength and conditioning within a multidisciplinary sport science, sport medicine, and athlete wellness model, enhancing athlete readiness, resilience, and injury prevention through evidence‑informed training and monitoring practices.
- Enhance data‑informed decision‑making, innovation, and applied research in strength and conditioning, including performance tracking, analysis, and reporting to support applied decision‑making.
- Contribute to athlete wellbeing, ethical practice, and sustainable high‑performance pathways, by supporting student‑athlete wellbeing through safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate training environments.
Working Conditions:
This position operates within a varsity performance sport environment where like-minded high-performing individuals work fluctuating and non-standard hours aligned to training cycles and competitive seasons. The role requires consistent evening and weekend work. Major issues are responded to on a 24/7 basis
Work is conducted across multiple environments, including athletic facilities, competition venues, and community settings, and requires active engagement in physically and mentally demanding coaching and supervisory contexts. The position carries ongoing responsibility for student-athlete safety, wellbeing, and supervision during the entire competitive year.
Independence
Operates with a high degree of autonomy within established coaching standards and varsity program guidelines, working collaboratively with and under the direction of the Director, Varsity Performance Sport. Exercises independent judgment in athlete development and performance planning, while supporting the diverse physical, psychological, and personal needs of student-athletes within a high-performing varsity environment.
