Skill Acquisition Coach

Red Bull•Santa Monica, CA

About The Position

The Skill Acquisition Coach is responsible for the applied design and delivery of training environments and interventions that optimize how athletes learn, adapt, and perform. This role bridges the gap between training and in-field performance by applying the science of motor learning and skill acquisition to performance problem solving. The Skill Acquisition Coach will partner directly with coaches, athletes, and Athlete Performance Center staff to embed motor learning principles into daily practice, co-designing sessions that improve skill transfer, decision-making, and execution under competitive conditions.

Requirements

Undergraduate and Master’s degree in sports science or related field (emphasis on motor learning and skill acquisition)
5+ years of experience in applied performance / coaching environments
Proven track record for successful integration of motor learning, skill acquisition, and practice design interventions in applied performance environments
Credentials and experience in strength and conditioning (CSCS or equivalent preferred)

Responsibilities

REVERSE ENGINEERING PERFORMANCE: Analyze sport demands and define what drives success based on the key technical and perceptual constraints. Identify the bottlenecks to the expression of sport-specific skills. Translate insights into targeted practice interventions based on principles of motor learning and skill acquisition.
HANDS ON PERFORMANCE DELIVERY: Embed within individual training, team practice, and gym-based training environments to build trust, identify opportunities, and accelerate integration. Design and co-deliver training environments using constraints-led approaches, variable and adaptive practice structures, and decision-rich environments. Optimize movement efficiency in context, decision-making under pressure, and skill transfer to competition.
INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION: Integrate motor learning principles into strength & conditioning, performance science, rehab and mental performance. Contribute sport-specific skill acquisition perspective into the athlete needs analysis and prioritization process to strengthen the link back to performance outcomes.
SKILL ACQUISITION PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: Develop frameworks for practical integration of skill acquisition into training environments across the core sports programs and corporate projects. Educate coaches on motor learning principles, practice design, and skill transfer strategies.