LA Kings - Director of Strength & Performance Science

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Company Information For more than 20 years, AEG has played a pivotal role in transforming sports and live entertainment. Annually, we host more than 160 million guests, promote more than 10,000 shows and present more than 22,000 events around the world. We are committed to innovation, artistry, and community, and leverage the power of our 300+ venues, leading sports franchises, marquee music brands, integrated entertainment districts, premier ticketing platform and global sponsorship activations, to create memorable moments that give the world reason to cheer. Our business is interwoven with the human mind and heart, and we strive to build a diverse and inclusive company that reflects the artists, athletes, and fans that we host; reach beyond traditional boundaries to support the communities in which we operate; and minimize our impact on the environment by adopting sustainable practices throughout our business operations. If you want to be challenged to up your game and make a difference, then join us in giving the world reason to cheer! JOB DESCRIPTION: The Los Angeles Kings are seeking a highly accomplished, analytically driven Director of Strength & Performance Science to lead and integrate the organization's sports science and strength & conditioning programs across all levels, from the NHL roster to the AHL affiliate. This individual will serve as a senior leader within an integrated, multidisciplinary performance staff dedicated to evidence-based practice, collaborative decision-making, and the long-term health and development of every player in the organization. This is a leadership role responsible for building and sustaining a performance culture that maximizes player health, longevity, and competitive output throughout the full calendar year. This individual serves as the primary point of contact for player performance, integrated sports science, and return-to-play processes. The position reports directly to the Director of Player Health and Performance. Working in close collaboration with team physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, performance staff, and coaching personnel, they ensure all decisions affecting player preparation, recovery, and readiness are evidence-based, individualized, and aligned with the Kings' competitive goals ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Leadership & Program Architecture Establish, oversee, and continuously evolve an integrated performance system encompassing strength and conditioning, sports science, athlete monitoring, and recovery across the organization Lead, mentor, and manage a multidisciplinary performance staff including strength and conditioning coaches, sports scientists, and performance analysts Define the program's philosophy, annual periodization structure, and performance standards in alignment with coaching and medical staff objectives Serve as the primary liaison between hockey operations, the coaching staff, medical staff, and analytics on all performance-related matters Oversee performance operations at both the NHL level and AHL affiliate (Ontario Reign), ensuring system-wide consistency and player development continuity Sports Science & Athlete Monitoring Continue to analyze and enhance our current comprehensive athlete monitoring system using GPS/wearable technology, force plates, heart rate variability, and other validated tools to track workload, readiness, and fatigue Further develop and manage our data infrastructure for collecting, analyzing, and reporting performance metrics to coaching staff and front office in actionable formats Integrate internal performance data with external analytics and game data to generate insights that influence roster management and player development decisions Lead research initiatives and stay current with emerging technologies and evidence-based practices in elite sport performance, recovery, and injury risk reduction Oversee sleep education, and recovery modalities as part of a holistic performance program Strength & Conditioning Design and oversee individualized on- and off-ice training programs for all NHL roster players during the preseason, regular season, and off-season, with attention to positional demands and player history Collaborate with the medical and athletic training staff to manage return-to-play progressions, injury risk reduction programming, and load management protocols Oversee performance evaluation protocols, interpreting results to inform player readiness assessments and development targets Develop and manage a summer performance program that ensures players report to training camp at peak readiness Work closely with the AHL performance staff to maintain developmental programming standards and ensure smooth transitions between organizational levels Player Relations & Communication Build trusted, individualized relationships with NHL players to drive buy-in, engagement, and adherence to performance programming Communicate effectively with players, agents, and c