Director of Strength & Conditioning

Location: Hickory, North Carolina

Position Summary

The Director of Strength & Conditioning reports to the Senior Associate Athletic Director (Athletics Health Care Administrator) and provides leadership, management, administration, and coaching expertise for all aspects of a comprehensive NCAA Division II strength and conditioning program. The Director is responsible for designing and implementing performance enhancement programs that promote student-athlete health, safety, wellness, and competitive success. The position emphasizes academic integrity, student-athlete development, NCAA compliance, and alignment with the mission and values of Lenoir-Rhyne University. The Director fosters a positive and development-focused training environment for all student-athletes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership, direction and oversight of the University’s strength and conditioning program for all athletic teams. 
• Design, implement and evaluate sport-specific strength and conditioning programs that enhance athletic performance, reduce injury risk, and support long-term athlete development. 
• Provide direct instruction, supervision and coaching in strength training, conditioning, speed, agility, mobility, and recovery training for student-athletes. 
• Conduct and oversee performance testing, assessment, and data tracking systems to evaluate student-athlete progress and program effectiveness. 
• Collaborate with athletic trainers, team physicians, sports medicine staff, coaches and athletics administrators to support injury prevention, rehabilitation, return-to-play protocols, and overall student-athlete wellness. 
• Serve as the primary liaison to coaching staff members regarding strength and conditioning programming, communication, and team training objectives. 
• Develop, coordinate and manage schedules for all strength and conditioning facilities to ensure equitable access and efficient use by all athletic programs. 
• Oversee daily operations of all strength and conditioning facilities, including supervision, equipment maintenance, inventory control, safety protocols, repairs and replacement planning.
• Ensure the LR athletics weight room is appropriately supervised and monitored during all training sessions and operating hours to ensure safety, accountability, and proper usage. 
• Monitor safety of student-athletes, staff, and visitors and ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, and risk management standards. 
• Maintain accurate records of training programs, participation, performance testing, and departmental documentation. 
• Oversee and manage the LR Nutrition Bar, including inventory control, purchasing, budget management, operational procedures and distribution of approved nutritional resources. 
• Supervise, train, mentor and evaluate staff, graduate assistants, interns, and student employees. 
• Develop and administer budgets related to strength and conditioning operations and ensure responsible stewardship of departmental resources. 
• Ensure compliance with NCAA Division II, conference, and institutional rules and regulations. 
• Maintain required certifications and participate in ongoing professional development to remain current with industry best practices. 
• Foster a culture of professionalism, accountability, integrity, respect, inclusion and student-athlete success. 
• Serve on departmental and university committees and perform other duties as assigned in support of the Athletics Department and University mission. 

Additional Responsibilities 

• Deliver a safe, structured, and comprehensive strength and conditioning program for all student-athletes. 
• Contribute to athletic performance, injury prevention, and student-athlete wellness. 
• Ensure full compliance with NCAA Division II, conference, and institutional policies and procedures. 
• Effectively manage facilities, equipment, personnel, budgets and operational systems. 
• Support student-athlete academic success, personal development, and well-being. 
• Represent Lenoir-Rhyne University in a professional, ethical, and positive manner at all times. 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in exercise science, kinesiology, sport performance or a related field.
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification or equivalent certification.
• Current CPR, First Aid, and AED certification. 
• Experience in collegiate strength and conditioning or a high-performance athletic environment. 
• Strong communication, leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills. 
• Must be comfortable working in a flexible, fast-paced team environment with a positive attitude. 
• Unwavering commitment to academic integrity, gender equity and student-athlete welfare, and knowledge of NCAA and Title IX compliance.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in a related field. 
• Experience within NCAA athletics (Division II preferred). 
• Experience supervising staff, graduate assistants, interns and student employees.
• Knowledge of NCAA compliance and student-athlete welfare standards. 

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record. 
• Successful NCAA compliance background check, if applicable.

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to demonstrate and instruct strength and conditioning exercises and techniques. 
• Ability to observe, evaluate, and correct movement patterns and lifting mechanics. 
• Ability to stand, walk and actively supervise training sessions for extended periods (two to three or more hours). 
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds. 
• Ability to respond quickly in emergency situations and assist injured student-athletes. 
• Ability to physically demonstrate exercises, mobility drills, and stretching techniques. 
• Ability to identify and communicate safety hazards in athletic facilities. 

Application Process

While completing the application, candidates will be prompted to submit: 

1. Resume
2. Cover letter
3. Three professional references 

The university’s mission, vision, and values statements may be reviewed using About LR.  

Lenoir-Rhyne University promotes a welcoming campus environment that is integral to the university's commitment to excellence in engagement and education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience nurturing a welcoming community, working with faculty, staff and/or students from all walks of life and/or incorporating varied perspectives and traditions in their current or previous positions. This commitment is rooted in our Lutheran tradition of fostering wisdom, nurturing vocation and preparing students for lives of purpose while serving the common good. 

About Lenoir-Rhyne University

Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private, comprehensive institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a city of more than 40,000. The university has additional graduate centers in Asheville, N.C., and Columbia, S.C. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lenoir- Rhyne is less than an hour’s drive from Charlotte, and the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of about 365,000. The university now offers more than 45 undergraduate and 20 graduate degree programs to approximately 2,400 students. Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build community, and promote responsible leadership for service to the world. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne is open to people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy    

Lenoir-Rhyne University is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities that are free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

LR is committed to creating a safe campus environment for all members of the LR community, including, but not limited to, those who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming. To that end, LR does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including sex stereotypes and sex characteristics), ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.

To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational program, activity and employment, LR has developed internal policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of discrimination or harassment, and for allegations of retaliation.

LR values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the grievance process during what is often a difficult time for all those involved.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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