About the Victorian Institute of Sport:

The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) was set up to assist the development of Victoria’s best athletes. It was established in 1990 by the State Government as a private trustee company, with its Board of Directors appointed by the Victorian Minister for Sport.

The VIS is located at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park. The VIS headquarters completed a renovation in February 2023, providing a brand new workspace for athletes and staff.  It is a non-residential institute, which utilises Melbourne’s outstanding sporting facilities, to allow high performance athletes to live and train in Melbourne, the sporting capital of Australia.

The VIS operates in partnership with National Sporting Organisations and State Sporting Associations to deliver high performance daily training environments (DTEs) for sports and athletes in support of the National High Performance Sport Strategy outcomes. Our facility and staff help prepare and support future and current Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth Games and World Champion athletes. 

Employee Benefits:

The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) provides a supportive work environment for you to be your best whilst supporting Victoria's best athletes. In addition, all employees have access to:

• 2xu gear to proudly represent the VIS brand
• Friday Staff Sport - to get that competitive energy out and socialise with all staff
• Heavily subsidised access to St Ali barista coffee and Albert Park parking
• Professional development opportunities 
• Newly renovated office with ergonomic sit/stand desks and plenty of natural light & open windows 
• Free access to gym, boxing classes and pool/recovery facilities 

About the role:

The Physical Preparation Coach is responsible for the physical preparation of athletes in the Athletics program. The position is primarily aimed at achieving the following goals:

• Supporting VIS scholarship holders improve their sporting performances
• Supporting Athletics program staff achieve their program KPI’s
• Work with performance support teams to provide an inter-disciplinary approach to improve performance and athlete health and wellbeing

Responsibilities may include but not limited to: 

• Physically prepare athletics athletes and assist Athletics physical preparation staff in service delivery across the VIS program. Assist the athletics program in driving a high performance culture and optimise strength and conditioning training around sports specific technical sessions.
• Design individual physical preparation plans and programs to maximise athletic development and performance in consultation with the athlete’s personal coach.
• Provide the highest level of technical S&C coaching to athletes across a range of activities including strength, speed, agility, endurance and rehabilitation.
• Liaise with coaches and relevant performance support staff to design, implement and evaluate individualised training programs
• Measure and monitor key performance related strength and conditioning variables/data to demonstrate progression and identify key areas for athletic development.
• Attend regular meetings with coaches and performance support staff to discuss progress of individual athletes relating to performance and athlete health status.
• Work independently and as part of the Physical Preparation team to ensure VIS adopts cutting edge practices, in athlete preparation, coaching, planning and evaluation of physical preparation services
• Ensure all support is provided within an ethical framework and based on sound quality assured, evidence-based, best practice scientific principles.
• Provide support within the daily training and competition environments.
• Actively promote, support, and implement the National Quality Standards and AIS Best Practice Guidelines, to give confidence that athlete performance data collected and used to inform decisions is valid, accurate, reliable and comparable nation-wide
• Support compliance with relevant legislation and [NSO’s] policies and procedures, including equity and health & safety and exhibit good practice in relation to same.
• Be a leading example of the principles and values embodied in the VIS Code of Conduct, and behave, act and communicate at all times to reflect fairness, ethics and professionalism.
• Comply with relevant Equal Employment Opportunity and Work Health and Safety regulations.

Required qualifications/ experience

• Degree in Sports Science or equivalent
• ASCA Professional Coach Accreditation at level 2 or above
• Current Working with Children / Working with Vulnerable People Check
• Sports Integrity Australia relevant courses - Level 2 Anti Doping, Match manipulation, Child safeguarding
• Current First Aid and CPR
• Current Driver’s License
• Proven success in utilising knowledge and skills for planning and supporting athletes across a season/campaign to contribute to successful outcomes and performance progression
• Demonstrated track record of improving athletic performance through PP coaching
• Demonstrated experience working within an interdisciplinary team with HP staff, coaches, and athletes
• Developed problem identification and solving skills with a capacity to deal with complexity
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, time management and planning skills
• Demonstrated experience in influencing behaviour and/ or leadership skills

Desirable qualifications/ experience:

• A minimum of 2 years working within a high performance (HP) sport environment
• Masters in S&C/ Sports Science / High performance or related field
• Diverse exposure of sport experiences working with multiple and diverse sports and athlete populations
• Previous experience working with track and field athletes

Applications close Sunday 15th June 2025.

The VIS is committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive space for all, celebrating our differences where everyone is valued, included and supported. Guided by our motto 'Success in Sport & Life’, we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, identities, ages, and abilities including those who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and people with a disability. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable opportunities for all, including making reasonable adjustments in recruitment and workplace processes to ensure everyone can perform at their best.