The Head of Performance is a senior leadership role within the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles NRL Football Department, reporting directly to the NRL Head Coach.
The role is responsible for leading and integrating the Club’s NRL performance program, ensuring players are physically prepared, monitored, recovered and supported to perform at their best throughout the NRL season.
Working closely with the NRL Head Coach, Football coaching staff, Medical Department and Performance team, the Head of Performance will translate performance data and sports science into practical decisions that support player availability, development and team performance.
Key Responsibilities
Performance Leadership & Planning
- Lead the NRL squad’s annual performance strategy and periodisation, including pre-season, in-season and finals.
- Translate the Head Coach’s football philosophy and game model into an integrated physical performance program.
- Lead the integration of Strength & Conditioning, Sport Science, Nutrition, Recovery and Medical/rehabilitation within the football program.
- Establish clear performance standards, processes and measures across the NRL squad.
- Provide expert performance advice to the NRL Head Coach and Football leadership team.
Training Load & Player Monitoring
- Lead the monitoring and management of training and match loads, player readiness, recovery and physical performance.
- Oversee the use and interpretation of GPS, heart-rate, wellness, strength, physical testing and other athlete monitoring technologies.
- Analyse daily and weekly performance data and provide clear, timely recommendations to coaches and players.
- Establish and monitor individual player performance benchmarks and development targets.
- Identify emerging physical performance and availability risks and implement appropriate interventions.
Physical Preparation
- Oversee the design and delivery of the NRL squad’s strength, power, speed, running and energy-system conditioning programs.
- Ensure training loads and physical preparation are appropriately aligned to the demands of the NRL competition and weekly game cycle.
- Develop individual physical development programs based on testing, monitoring and player needs.
- Oversee the delivery of appropriate recovery strategies across training, match day and travel.
Medical, Rehabilitation & Return to Play
- Work closely with the Medical Department to ensure an integrated approach to injury management, rehabilitation and return to play.
- Contribute to individual rehabilitation and reconditioning programs.
- Ensure physical preparation is appropriately progressed throughout rehabilitation and reintegrated into team training.
- Provide clear recommendations to the NRL Head Coach regarding player readiness and return to competition.
Nutrition & Player Preparation
- Oversee the NRL nutrition program in partnership with the Club Dietitian.
- Ensure appropriate nutrition, hydration, supplementation and recovery strategies are implemented across training, match day and travel.
- Support individual nutrition and physical development strategies informed by appropriate player data and assessment.
Performance Team Leadership
- Lead, develop and performance-manage the NRL Performance team, including Strength & Conditioning, Sport Science and Nutrition staff.
- Establish a high-performance culture built on accountability, collaboration, evidence-based practice and continuous improvement.
- Ensure effective communication and integration between Performance, Medical and Football staff.
- Develop the capability of Performance staff through mentoring, education and professional development.
Innovation & Governance
- Lead the evaluation and implementation of relevant performance technology, research and innovation.
- Build relationships with external specialists, researchers and performance networks.
- Ensure performance practices comply with NRL, anti-doping, privacy, medical and Club requirements.
- Maintain accurate, confidential and secure player performance records and data.
Key Outcomes
Success in the role will be demonstrated through:
- A clearly defined and effectively delivered NRL performance strategy.
- An integrated Performance, Medical and Football environment with strong communication and collaboration.
- Players being appropriately prepared, monitored and recovered to meet the demands of NRL competition.
- Effective management of training loads, player readiness and physical performance.
- High-quality individual player development and rehabilitation programs.
- Clear performance insights that directly support coaching and player-management decisions.
- A high-performing, accountable and continually developing Performance team.
Experience, Skills & Qualifications
Essential
- Tertiary qualification in Exercise Science, Sports Science, Strength & Conditioning, Human Movement or a related discipline.
- Significant senior experience leading performance programs within a professional or elite sporting environment.
- Demonstrated experience leading and integrating multidisciplinary performance teams.
- Strong understanding of the physical and physiological demands of professional rugby league or an equivalent elite team sport.
- Demonstrated expertise in periodisation, training load management, athlete monitoring, strength & conditioning and physical preparation.
- Experience working closely with medical, rehabilitation and coaching teams.
- Strong analytical, communication and leadership skills.
- Ability to translate complex performance data into clear, practical recommendations for coaches and players.
Desirable
- Previous experience as a Head of Performance, Performance Director, Head of Strength & Conditioning or equivalent senior role.
- NRL or professional rugby league experience.
- Postgraduate qualification in Sports Science, Strength & Conditioning, Exercise Physiology or a related discipline.
- Relevant professional accreditation.
- Experience with contemporary athlete monitoring and performance technologies.
Personal Attributes
- Strong and credible leader who establishes high standards.
- Collaborative and highly effective across Football, Medical and Performance.
- Excellent communicator who can simplify complex information.
- Data-driven and evidence-based, with strong practical application.
- Player-focused while maintaining high-performance standards.
- Innovative, accountable and committed to continuous improvement.
- Composed and professional in a high-pressure professional sporting environment.
