Performance Nutritionist

Nashville Soccer Club•Nashville, TN

97d

About The Position

Under the direction of the Director of High Performance, the Performance Nutritionist develops and executes nutrition services for the first team, providing individualized and team-based support to optimize player health, adaptation, recovery, and performance. The role requires strong organization and communication to collaborate with team operations, high performance staff, and the culinary team. The position develops and evaluates a comprehensive nutrition program; assesses athletes’ nutritional status and needs; provides counseling, education, personalized nutrition services, and medical nutrition therapy; and manages evidence-based supplementation in accordance with MLS rules and anti-doping requirements. It also involves interpreting blood biomarker panels with team physicians and translating findings into individualized recommendations. The Performance Nutritionist coordinates nutrition and recovery meals for training, competition, and travel; manages food, supplement, and beverage procurement and distribution; conducts body-composition assessments and hydration strategies; and collaborates with coaches, sports medicine, strength and conditioning staff, physicians, and other support staff. The position requires an average of 15–25 hours per week of in-person work or team interaction, flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and possible travel. Other related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Registered Dietitian credential through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and licensure through ACEND; licensed in Tennessee for a minimum of two years.
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Dietetics, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Biology, or another health sciences-related field.
Excellent multitasking and prioritization skills.
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, and possible travel; must be available for in-person work/team interaction an average of 15–25 hours per week.
Strong computer knowledge, including proficiency with Microsoft Office and other relevant software.
Professional, collegiate, or club-level sport nutrition experience.
Proficiency interpreting blood biomarker panels and translating results into actionable lifestyle, fueling, and supplement recommendations.
Working knowledge of third-party supplement testing/certification standards, such as NSF Certified for Sport, and anti-doping regulations relevant to professional sport.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Eligible to be Board Certified as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD).
Soccer experience.
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through NSCA.
ISAK certification.
Certified in Sports Nutrition (CISSN, ISSN) or a comparable applied supplementation credential.
Experience partnering with physicians on blood panel-driven nutrition and supplementation protocols.
Experience in research, data collection, analysis of monitored statistics, and evaluation of technology used by a Sports Science/Performance department.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive nutrition program for optimal performance, including evaluation, interpretation, and monitoring of team members’ nutritional status and needs.
Conduct nutrition assessments, care planning, education, and counseling for athletes and staff, including personalized nutrition services and medical nutrition therapy for athletes with clinical nutrition needs or food allergies.
Design, implement, and oversee an evidence-based supplementation program, prioritizing NSF Certified for Sport or equivalent third-party-tested products; provide ongoing education and monitoring for compliance with MLS rules and to minimize inadvertent doping risk.
Order, interpret, and act on blood biomarker panels in collaboration with team physicians, translating findings into individualized lifestyle, fueling, and supplement recommendations.
Lead individual and team nutrition counseling and education sessions and develop nutrition prescriptions and educational materials for athletes.
Collaborate with coaches, sports medicine staff, strength and conditioning staff, physicians, and other support staff on training, nutrition, recovery, and treatment of diet- and nutrition-related medical issues.
Coordinate pre- and post-competition menus with training-ground chefs and oversee catering and meals during team travel.
Manage quantity food production, inventory, and distribution of food products, supplements, and beverages; oversee ordering, vendor relationships, procurement, and payment of purchases.
Conduct body-composition assessments, including DEXA and other methods, and provide related education and nutrition programming; maintain appropriate assessment technology and conduct manual anthropometric testing as applicable.
Implement hydration testing and strategies.
Perform other related duties as assigned.