Director, MiLB Rehabilitation

Job description

Job Description:

Summary:

The New York Mets Director, MiLB Rehab leads rehabilitation strategy, staff, and clinical quality across domestic affiliates and the Dominican Republic Academy. Based at the newly constructed Port St. Lucie complex, the Director oversees rehabilitation delivery and provides selected direct care for complex MLB rehab assignments in Florida, as well as priority or complex rehab cases involving prospects and MiLB players. This role builds a coordinated system that restores player readiness, uses time away from competition to improve physical capacity, and supports long-term development. The Director also collaborates closely with other Performance staff members to bridge clinical rehabilitation and performance training, ensuring players receive world-class rehabilitation services.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

System Leadership and Staff Management

Own the design, implementation, and review of the MiLB rehabilitation system. Establish annual priorities and measurable objectives for approval by the Director, MiLB Health and Performance

Directly supervise, mentor, and evaluate the MiLB Rehabilitation Coordinator and other full-time MiLB Physical Therapists. Set clear responsibilities, development plans, and performance expectations; address concerns promptly

Delegate daily complex rehabilitation scheduling and plan execution to the Rehabilitation Coordinator while retaining accountability for staffing, caseload priorities, and clinical quality

Lead rehabilitation staffing and onboarding with department leadership. Organize case reviews, continuing education, and structured mentorship for rehabilitation staff, fellows, and interns

Manage approved rehabilitation resources and staff coverage. Recommend staffing, equipment, technology, and education investments; ensure equipment maintenance and continuity during absences or player transitions

Clinical Leadership and Return to Play Lead the development and implementation of evaluation, treatment, loading, testing, and return-to-play standards, incorporating team physician guidance and input from medical and performance colleagues

Ensure individualized plans define goals, progression and regression criteria, objective checkpoints, and baseball demands. Integrate clinical findings, player feedback, injury history, and response to workload

Oversee complex, short-term, long-term, and post-surgical cases. Provide consultation and selected hands-on care for priority prospects and assigned MLB players in coordination with MLB rehabilitation staff

Integrate rehabilitation with strength and conditioning, Performance Technology, nutrition, mental performance, and coaching. Align throwing, hitting, running, and fielding progressions with reconditioning and opportunities to improve physical capacity

Lead regular reviews of complex or stalled cases; adjust plans and escalate setbacks or material changes promptly to team physicians and the Director, MiLB Health and Performance

Coordinate readiness recommendations and documented transitions back to training and competition. Ensure decisions follow physician guidance, medical clearance requirements, and organizational return-to-play procedures

Collaboration and Continuity of Care Partner directly with the MiLB Medical Coordinator and Latin American Medical Coordinator on rehabilitation standards, case priorities, and clinician support. Coordinate implementation through each coordinator's medical operation and established reporting relationships

Ensure clear handoffs of athlete care from the developmental complex to affiliates, Dominican Republic Academy, MLB and approved outside providers. Create clarity in documentation of restrictions, testing, workload, next milestones, and follow-up

Oversee timely daily rehabilitation status reporting and proactive leadership updates throughout the year. Communicate readiness, anticipated timelines, uncertainty, and changes that affect player care or estimated game return

Explain plans and expectations clearly to players, invite feedback, and check understanding. Adapt communication to language and cultural needs, using translation support when needed

Support the Medical Coordinators and MLB staff with free-agent medical reviews and physicals, draft assessments, spring training evaluations, and related activities within the professional scope

Data and Quality Improvement Ensure accurate, timely rehabilitation records and consistent testing through routine audits with medical leadership and Performance Technology. Protect confidential information in approved systems

Review milestones, setbacks, reinjury, physical readiness, and sustained availability after return, accounting for injury severity and case complexity. Use case reviews and research to improve standards, evaluate technologies, and verify implementation across sites

Qualifications & Requirements:

Essential Current U.S. physical therapy licensure, athletic training certification (ATC), or Ph.D. equivalent; eligibility for the applicable Florida license before providing clinical care. Maintain credentials and practice within professional scope

At least eight years of clinical rehabilitation experience in professional baseball or high-level sport, including complex and post-surgical cases involving elite athletes

Demonstrated success managing and developing clinicians, delegating effectively, and implementing rehabilitation standards across multiple locations

Strong clinical reasoning and understanding of baseball movement demands, reconditioning, and progression from rehabilitation to competitive performance

Ability to interpret objective testing and workload data; proficiency with electronic medical records and athlete management systems

Clear communication, sound judgment, cultural awareness, and effective collaboration across medical, performance, coaching, and leadership groups

Ability to travel domestically and internationally and work evenings, weekends, and other unconventional hours throughout the baseball calendar

Desirable MiLB or MLB rehabilitation experience and familiarity with organizational player transitions

Sports or orthopedic specialty certification, such as SCS or OCS where applicable; residency, fellowship, or other advanced clinical training

Experience using force plates, dynamometry, biomechanics, and workload monitoring to inform rehabilitation; experience leading clinical education

Ability to communicate in Spanish

Leadership Expectations Model integrity, humility, and calm judgment. Build player trust and a team culture where staff raise concerns early, seek input, and learn from setbacks. Empower staff to act within clear expectations while maintaining accountability for follow-through and quality

The above information is intended to describe the general nature, type, and level of work to be performed. The information is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for this position. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The individual selected may perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

The New York Mets value the unique qualities individuals with various backgrounds and experiences can offer the organization. Our continued success depends heavily on the quality of our workforce. The Organization is committed to providing employees with the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential.

For technical reasons, we strongly advise to not use an .edu email address when applying. Thank you very much.

Who can apply

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