Head of Performance

Role overview

The Head of Performance will lead the club’s high-performance function, creating and maintaining a culture built on excellence, accountability, continuous development and elite standards. The position is responsible for shaping and delivering the performance strategy that supports sustained success for the club’s top athletes.

This leader will turn the program’s strategic direction into day-to-day action, inspire and guide the performance group, and oversee individual specialist disciplines. A key part of the role is ensuring that every part of the performance system works together effectively and that all staff operate in a highly collaborative way.

The performance program covers Sunshine Coast Lightning’s SSN squad, including training partners, and the Lightning SN reserves team. The role works closely with the Head Coach, Chief Operating Officer, Team Manager, Office Manager and other internal and external stakeholders.

High-performance operations and athlete load management

• Partner with the Head Coach and performance staff to create integrated team plans that expose athletes to the physical, technical, tactical and behavioural standards required for success.
• Oversee the tracking and management of individual athlete load using technology such as wearables, force plate data and athlete wellbeing self-reports.
• Use collected data to shape individual and group training schedules so both player welfare and team performance are maximised.
• Support modified or alternative training for athletes returning from injury.
• Monitor how players respond to training and adjust or progress programs accordingly with input from the wider performance team.
• Coordinate sessional specialist service providers to ensure physical performance work is delivered to a high standard.
• Create the weekly training schedule and make sure it is shared on time with the relevant stakeholders.
• Work with the Netball Operations Manager and others to communicate schedules and operational requirements.
• Ensure all performance activity operates within Netball Australia’s SSN Competition & Compliance Rules, SSN Collective Players’ Agreement, Integrity Framework Policies, Sports Medicine Policy and related procedures.
• Lead regular athletic testing, interpret the results and use the findings to determine the most effective training methods for player development.
• Apply evidence-based methods to identify the key metrics needed to improve netball performance.
• Share performance insights with the performance group and help build a framework for developing athletes individually and collectively.
• Work with coaches and the performance analyst to determine the data needed to improve team tactics and match-day player output.
• Lead athlete readiness and recovery for all home and away matches, including prehab, warm-up and bench management.
• Coordinate athlete transitions into and out of the Lightning performance program, including pregnancy-related transitions.

Strength and conditioning

• Set the physical development strategy for strength and power across SCL, SCL reserves, training partners and SC Thunder players in collaboration with coaches and stakeholders.
• Develop, implement and assess personalised strength and power programs for players to support performance gains and reduce injury risk.
• Supervise all gym-based strength and power sessions for SSN and SN reserves athletes, with support from other performance staff as needed.
• Work alongside coaches, sports science and medical staff as an integrated team to support athlete performance, health and wellbeing.
• Lead physical preparation in areas such as speed, agility, endurance, skill and power through court-based, game-specific training designed with coaches and experts.
• Direct end-stage rehabilitation for SCL players in consultation with the medical team, Performance Analyst and Head Coach.
• Manage load monitoring for SCL players using the club’s tracking systems.
• Use testing data from competition and practice environments to improve and progress player physical preparation.
• Build effective working relationships with other performance service providers across SCL programs and with UniSC staff.
• Attend coaching and performance meetings as required.
• Liaise with national and international teams to manage the physical performance needs of players selected for representative duties.

Key skills and attributes

The ideal candidate will bring a strong understanding of athlete development pathways in team sport, a drive for excellence and continuous improvement, and the ability to contribute to a positive, collaborative performance environment. The role also calls for confident leadership, strong stakeholder management, sound judgement under pressure, meticulous organisation, integrity, and the ability to communicate clearly and handle difficult conversations while protecting working relationships.

Experience and knowledge

Applicants should have substantial experience in high-performance, elite or professional sport leadership roles, ideally with national or international exposure. Experience leading integrated, multidisciplinary high-performance programs is important, along with a track record of developing elite athletes and delivering successful individual performance plans. Strong capability in physical performance or strength and conditioning, athlete load management, player tracking systems, GPS, video and data analysis tools, and Microsoft 365 is highly valued. Knowledge of elite netball is preferred.

Essential requirements

• A relevant tertiary qualification is required.
• Human Movement, Coaching, Exercise or Sports Science degree.
• Current First Aid Certificate.
• Working with Children check or Working with Vulnerable People check.

Desirable requirement

• Valid driver’s licence.

Application instructions

Applicants must submit a written application with a CV and cover letter by email. The closing time is 5:00 pm on 26 June 2026. Recruitment agency applications will not be accepted.

Additional information

The role is based in Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia and is a full-time onsite position. An application form is referenced in the source, and the file attachment section lists the role document titled “Head of Performance - Sunshine Coast Lightning.” The source also mentions that reCAPTCHA protection and privacy/terms notices apply to the application form.