POSITION SUMMARY:
The Performance Nutritionist will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing individualized and team-based nutritional strategies that support the overall health, recovery, and performance of Dallas Mavericks players. This role works closely with the sports performance, medical, and coaching staff to deliver evidence-based guidance and ensure athletes receive the optimal nutrition support required to meet the physical demands of professional basketball.
JOB FUNCTION:
- Design and implement a basketball-specific sports nutrition program that includes developing evidence-based nutrition education materials such as presentations, signage, and deliverables.
- Conduct performance nutrition assessments and consult with individual athletes.
- Engage players in the nutrition education and meal planning process to provide them with a sense of ownership of their personal nutrition and to promote healthy eating habits. Work with players and staff to establish and fulfill specific dietary goals for individual players and the collective team.
- Log, track, and monitor compliance of these nutritional performance plans.
- Develop nutrition recovery and supplementation protocols for individual athletes in multiple settings (practice facility, arena, travel).
- Evaluate nutritional supplements for legality, safety, quality, and efficacy; oversee their appropriate use.
- Collaborate with the Sports Medicine and Athletic Performance staff to carry out and/or analyze physiological testing, blood biomarkers, and body composition to determine effective fueling, hydration, and supplementation programming for each player.
- Collaborate with the Sports Medicine and Athletic Performance staff to design nutrition and supplement strategies for injured players during their rehabilitation process and return to play planning. Strategies should include current evidence-based research.
- Work with culinary and food service personnel to design performance nutrition menus. Menus may be personalized as needed to meet athletes’ food, nutrition, and performance goals.
- Plan meals by working with caterers, restaurants, hotel food service in all NBA cities, as well as engaging with team culinary staff.
- Stay current with sports performance and nutrition trends through ongoing professional development.
- Manage the ordering, organization and inventory of supplements, food, and beverages within the practice facility and arena.
- Oversee the nutritional program supplies needed for road trips and ensure the packing of these supplies before the team departs.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function as well as the following:
- Strong knowledge of sports nutrition principles and how they apply to elite athletes.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to build trust with players and staff.
- Ability to analyze data and translate it into actionable nutrition strategies.
- Organized, detail-oriented, and capable of working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
- Competency with nutritional software, body composition tools, and tracking systems.
- High level of discretion and professionalism in handling confidential athlete information.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or a related field required.
- Registered Dietitian (RD) and/or Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) strongly preferred.
- Minimum 3–5 years of experience working with elite/professional or collegiate athletes in a team setting.
- Experience with NBA or other professional sports organizations is a plus.
JOB TYPE: Full-time
EEO:
The Dallas Mavericks provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
