Location: New Delhi (with regular travel to all TDS Academies across India)
Reports to: Project Manager, FIFA Talent Development Scheme
Employment Type: Full-time | Fixed-Term | Project-Based (FIFA TDS)

 Role Overview

The Lead – Sports Science, FIFA TDS will be responsible for establishing, monitoring, and enhancing the sports science framework across all FIFA Talent Academies. The role will focus on player physical development, injury prevention, load management, nutrition, recovery, and performance tracking. Working closely with technical and medical staff, the manager will ensure a holistic, data-driven approach to youth athletic development.

 Key Responsibilities

1. Physical Development & Performance Monitoring

• Design and oversee long-term physical development plans for academy players in line with age-specific goals.
  
• Monitor and analyze performance metrics (e.g., endurance, strength, agility, growth rates) using standard protocols and GPS/technology tools.
  
• Provide recommendations to coaches on training loads, rest periods, and individual physical adaptations.
  

2. Injury Prevention & Recovery

• Collaborate with physiotherapists and medical teams to implement injury prevention strategies and rehabilitation protocols.
  
• Conduct regular musculoskeletal screenings and movement assessments to identify and mitigate risk factors.
  
• Maintain records of all injuries, treatments, and return-to-play clearances.
  

3. Nutrition & Wellness

• Guide the development of academy-specific nutrition plans in coordination with in-house or contracted nutritionists.
  
• Educate players and staff on hydration, dietary needs, and supplementation where appropriate.
  
• Support wellness initiatives that integrate sleep management, stress reduction, and lifestyle hygiene.
  

4. Sports Science Integration & Staff Coordination

• Train and upskill academy-level fitness coaches, strength and conditioning experts, physiotherapists and medical staff.
  
• Standardize performance testing, monitoring systems, and player profiling formats across academies.
  
• Act as the nodal point for consolidating and analyzing performance and health data from all centers.
  

5. Reporting & Evaluation

• Submit monthly sports science reports summarizing key metrics, injury trends, and actionable insights to the TDS management team.
  
• Provide regular updates on physical development KPIs.
  

 Qualifications & Experience

Essential:

• Master’s degree in Sports Science, Exercise Physiology, Strength & Conditioning, or a related field.
  
• Minimum 4 years of experience working in high-performance sports environments, ideally with youth athletes.
  
• Strong analytical skills and familiarity with sports technology systems (GPS trackers, performance software, etc.).
  
• Deep understanding of growth and maturation principles in adolescent athletes.
  

Preferred:

• Experience working in football development systems, federations, or elite academies.
  
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CSCS, UKSCA, ASCA, NSCA, ISSA).
  
• Knowledge of FIFA Talent Development Framework and Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) models.
  

 Core Competencies

• Evidence-based decision-making
  
• Collaborative and interdisciplinary mindset
  
• Ability to manage multiple academies and large data sets
  
• Excellent communication and reporting skills
  
• Commitment to athlete welfare and safe sport practices
  
  

Application Deadline: 30 September 2025

How to Apply

Please fill in the Google form link below to submit your applications in soft copy and email them to hr@the-aiff.com.

Google form link: https://forms.gle/5imxmbQaLREm2xh87