Performance Nutritionist

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Director of High Performance, the Performance Nutritionist is primarily responsible for the development and execution of nutrition services for the first team, providing individualized and team-based nutrition support that optimizes player health, adaptation, recovery, and performance. This role requires a high level of organization and communication to facilitate collaboration with team operations, high performance staff, and the culinary team.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive nutrition program designed for optimal performance: the evaluation, interpretation, and monitoring of the nutritional status and nutritional needs of the team, using established standards of care and practice guidelines.
• Conduct nutrition assessments, care planning, education, and counseling of athletes and staff, including personalized nutrition services and medical nutrition therapy for athletes with clinical nutrition needs and food allergies, integrated with the individual athlete’s nutrition goals as indicated.
• Design, implement, and oversee an evidence-based supplementation program, prioritizing NSF Certified for Sport (or equivalent third-party banned-substance-tested) products, with ongoing education and monitoring to ensure compliance with MLS rules, regulations, and nutrition-related bylaws and to minimize inadvertent doping risk.
• Order, interpret, and act on blood biomarker panels (e.g., iron/ferritin, vitamin D, complete metabolic and lipid panels, CBC, inflammatory markers) in collaboration with team physicians, translating findings into individualized lifestyle, fueling, and supplement recommendations that optimize athlete performance and health.
• Leads and conducts individual and team nutrition counseling and education sessions; development of effective individual nutrition prescriptions and educational materials for athletes.
• This position will require strong communication skills, both verbal and written and the ability to collaborate with Coaches, Sports Medicine staff, Strength and Conditioning staff, physicians, and other support staff to ensure a collaborative and comprehensive approach to training, nutrition and recovery, as well as aiding in the treatment of diet and nutritional related medical issues.
• Coordinate and implement nutritional recovery process through pre- and post-competition menus with training ground chefs; oversee and implement catering and meals during team travel with hotels. Coordinate/manage quantity food production, inventory and distribution, of other food products, supplements and beverages. oversee ordering, vendor relationships, procurement of goods and payment of purchases.
• Body Composition testing (DEXA and other) including assessment, education, and programming regarding the nutritional needs. Conduct body composition assessments by utilizing and maintaining appropriate technology (i.e. DEXA, BodPod or InBody) and other manual anthropometric testing (i.e. ISAK).
• Implementation of hydration testing and strategies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Registered Dietitian, by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, must be Registered and Licensed by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and licensed in the state of Tennessee of a minimum of 2 years. 
• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Dietetics, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Biology, or other Health Sciences related field.
• Excellent multi-tasking and prioritization skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including: evenings and weekends, with possible travel.  Must be available for in-person work/team interaction at an average of 15-25 hours per week.
• Candidate should possess strong computer knowledge including proficiency utilizing Microsoft Office and other relevant software.
• Professional, collegiate or club level sport nutrition experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency interpreting blood biomarker panels and translating results into actionable lifestyle, fueling, and supplement recommendations, with working knowledge of third-party supplement testing/certification standards (e.g., NSF Certified for Sport) and anti-doping regulations relevant to professional sport.

Preferred but not required:

• 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 (National Strength & Conditioning Association)
• ISAK certified 
• Certified in Sports Nutrition (CISSN, ISSN) or comparable applied supplementation credential
• Experience partnering with physicians on blood panel-driven nutrition and supplementation protocols
• Experience in research, data collection, analysis of monitored stats, and evaluation of technology used by Sports Science/Performance department.