Position Summary
The Manager, Sports Medicine & Athlete Performance reports to the Associate Director Interuniversity Sport Programs (Associate Director) and is a member of the department leadership team. They develop, design, and oversee the delivery and integration of all programs and services related to the sport performance of student athletes, including strength and conditioning, athletic therapy, sport medicine, nutrition, and in and out-of-season practice and training schedules. The Manager also leads the implementation of modern sport science knowledge and technologies while guiding team-specific Integrated Support Teams.
Collaborating and advising with the Associate Director, athletic coaches, athletic therapists, strength & conditioning coaches, doctors, Faculty of Science, and athletics & recreation support staff, the Manager designs tailored protocols and staff management of the Athletic Therapy and Strength & Conditioning teams and spaces to ensure high-quality service delivery. The Manager supervises the Athletic Therapists (3 full-time and 1 Part Time), Strength & Conditioning Coaches (2 full-time and 1 contractual) and will also support the contractual Athletic Therapist on the Brantford campus, (in consultation with the Associate Director, Interuniversity Sport Programs, and the Manager, Interuniversity Sport & Recreation (Brantford Campus)). They support the athletic therapy and strength & conditioning team in the oversight of the student trainers (approximately 30 in total) and strength & conditioning student performance coaches (approximately 18 in total).
In collaboration with the Associate Director, the Manager also facilitates sport dietician and sport medicine doctor services and collaborates with the Faculty of Kinesiology and external providers to enhance student-athlete performance. In consultation with the Associate Director, the position is accountable for the Athletic Therapy and the Strength & Conditioning annual operating budgets, revenue generation opportunities and partnerships within the sport medicine community and ensures ongoing professional development, accreditation, training, and compliance of all clinic staff.
Accountabilities
Athletic Therapy and High-Performance Strength & Conditioning Leadership
- Responsible for the recruiting, hiring, compliance, and performance of Athletic Therapists (3 FTE as represented by the WLUSA Bargaining Agreement, 1 Part Time Contractual Athletic Therapist, team doctors and medical personnel).
- Oversight of a new service delivery model for 600+ student athletes requiring athletic therapy and sport medicine support on an annual basis
- Responsible for recruiting, hiring and performance management of the High-Performance Strength & Conditioning Coordinator (1 FTE), the Assistant Coach, High Performance Strength & Conditioning (1 FTE) and 1 Contractual High-Performance Strength & Conditioning Coach (Football)
- Oversees facilitation of all necessary medical documentation as determined by Wilfrid Laurier University, National & Provincial Sport Organizations, the OUA & Usports.
- Leads and monitors mandatory performance enhancing drug education as required by CCES
- Develops and monitors required OUA/U Sport Competition coverage
- Design, monitor, track workflow of Athletic Therapy and Strength & Conditioning team to ensure proper service delivery standards are met, appropriate records are maintained, and targets are met
- Leads, develops, evaluates and monitors mandatory concussion protocol, return to play/train protocols outlined by the Department of Athletics & Recreation, OUA, Usports and Ministry of Sport
Clinical Oversight, Risk Management & Compliance
- Quality Assurance: Monitor and improve the quality of clinical services provided, ensuring compliance with standards and best practices.
- Clinical Protocols: Develop, implement, and update clinical protocols and procedures.
- Patient Care and Safe Sport: Oversee patient care processes and address any issues related to patient safety and treatment efficacy
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all clinical practices comply institution, league, and association regulations.
- Accreditation: Maintain accreditation standards and prepare for any necessary inspections or audits.
- Incident Management: Address and resolve clinical incidents, including near misses and adverse events, and implement preventive measures.
- Safety Protocols: Develop and enforce safety protocols to minimize risks to patients and staff.
- Clinical Data Analysis: Review and analyze clinical data to identify trends, measure outcomes, and inform decision-making.
- Record Keeping: Ensure accurate and confidential patient records are maintained
Physical Development & Analysis
- In collaboration with the Associate Director and with the Sport Medicine team and Sport Coaches, lead and consult in the design and implementation of a comprehensive sport physical development plan
- Manage trimester reporting related to each program,showcasing key performance indicators and appropriate standards on team and individual student-athletes’ bases (sport tierspecific)
- Identify and utilize evidence-based interventions and tools to improve the performance of Wilfrid Laurier athletes in the daily training environment, competition and performance, and/or recovery/treatment required from training or competition.
- Engage where necessary with student athletes, families, and other stakeholders to address concerns and improve service delivery
Integrated Sport Medicine Support Team
- Manage a team of individuals who are responsible for the:
o Operation of successful inter-university sport-specific program, treatment and rehab, including collaboration with Sport Medicine team and support individual athlete rehabilitation training.
o Manage Athletic Therapy staff regarding athlete injuries with respect to the impact on individual athlete S&C program and the specific exercises that will speed recovery or aggravate the injury, adjust programs accordingly and supervision rehabilitation programs
o Lead for major return to play protocols.
o Provides comprehensive year-end reports to the Associate Director, Interuniversity Sport
o Programs regarding the overall state of the program, analysis of the program’s effectiveness, as well as recommendations for modifications and improvements to the program for the upcoming season.
Management of Performance Area Services and Operations
- Maintains the oversight of at least 1 interuniversity sport program re. athletic therapy or strength & conditioning programming
- Supervises staff by developing and reviewing work/treatment plans, conducting regular meetings to keep track of progress, develops and implements yearly evaluations.
- Manage sport dietician staff and integrated education from the Kinesiology department to improve fueling for performance needs and insecurities within our student-athletes.
- Lead the development of systems for student learning and practical placements in Performance Services; liaison with Kinesiology department to imbed curriculum structure linking with their course content.
- Assists the Associate Director in developing a comprehensive business plan centered on revenue generation for the sport medicine and performance area. This includes setting revenue target to grow and enhance this portfolio on a yearly basis
- Assist the Associate Director and team coaches in developing and managing the in and out of season team practice & training schedules
- Provides direction for the Athletic Therapists and Strength & Conditioning Team in developing and evaluating a comprehensive training program for student trainers and student performance coaches.
- In collaboration with Facility staff, develops plan for equipment, repairs, or services required for the high performance and athletic therapy area.
- Maintains up-to-date records on each student athlete as per the requirements of Wilfrid Laurier University
- in consultation with the Associate Director, develops, manages and is accountable for the Athletic Therapy & Strength & Conditioning annual operating budgets
- Assist the Associate Director in developing partnerships that will elevate the interuniversity sport student athlete experience (re. Doctors, Sport Rehabilitation Centres, Massage Therapy, MRI’s/X-Rays/Clinical expertise)
- Ensure all administrative and training compliance, timelines, goals and objectives are adhered to and complete in a timely fashion
- At the request of the Associate Director, Interuniversity Sport Programs represent the department on applicable committees, working groups, or task forces.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Kinesiology, Health Science or related field
- Minimum of 8 years experience in a relevant work environment. Preferably at the professional, Olympic/para-Olympic, University or College Level
- Practical experience in planning and conducting individual and or group/team training.
- NSCA-CSCS (National Strength and Conditioning Association) and/or Certified Athletic Therapist (CATA certification or equivalent) in good standing.
- Canadian Strength and Conditioning Association Member preferred.
- First Responder & Basic Life Support Certification
- First Aid and CPR & AED certification
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to work with others in an environment that requires quick decisions that protect the safety and well-being of the student-athlete.
- Experience working with high performance athletes and coaches
- Valid ‘G’ Drivers License required
- Criminal Background reference check required
- Knowledge of sport science theory, nutrition considered an asset
- Knowledge of OUA and U Sports procedures and protocols
- Experience with community development practice, crisis/trauma treatment, Concussion Protocol, Return to Train/Play best practices (re. Post-Op, Concussion Management)
- Experience managing response to crisis situations and experience working as part of case management support team
- Experience with program support and development, including training and awareness programs and peer leadership programs
- Demonstrated ability in meeting-facilitation, oral presentations and situations of conflict
•Demonstrated ability to relate to students, faculty and staff in ways that build trust and confidence
- Proven ability to work within and assist others in navigating through complex systems, understanding of treatment programs, sport medicine and mental health terminology, including diagnostic categories.
- knowledge of privacy guidelines (PHIPA/FIPPA) and ability to communicate difficult/sensitive information
- Proven ability to work in diverse community with students of varied ages and backgrounds presenting a range of difficulties and personal issues
- Flexibility of working hours will be required to meet program needs which may arise outside of traditional work hours
Hours of Work
This is a Full-time, Limited-term opportunity with an anticipated end date of 07/31/2028.
The normal hours of work are 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility in hours may be required, including evening and/or weekend work due to periods of high volume. When possible, the manager will adjust hours to ensure no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.
This position is eligible for a flexible work arrangement, as per Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy). All arrangement must be approved by the direct manager. In-person attendance for events, as required to meet operational needs, is expected. On occasion, this schedule may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirements.
As per Article 12.7.6, prior approval from a manager is required to return to a previous position after a Limited-Term Position.
Compensation
• Rate of Pay: $85,357 to $106,696
Broad salary ranges include a hiring range $85,357 - $96,027, a target range $96,028 - $117,366, and a premium range $117,367 - $133,370)
When new employees are hired the appropriate base salary is determined using these sub-ranges as a guide while adhering to rules on hiring as defined in our compensation policy. Considerations for new hire salaries include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.
