Ascension is seeking an experienced Human Performance Optimization Lead Subject Matter Expert to help guide the transformation of the Navy’s traditional MWR fitness program into an integrated, evidence-based Human Performance Optimization model.

The HPO Lead SME will provide technical leadership across physical performance, strength and conditioning, injury prevention, recovery, resilience, nutrition integration, wellness, and readiness. This individual will translate HPO research and recognized best practices into a practical framework that CNIC can test at Naval Base San Diego and potentially scale across its enterprise.

The ideal candidate understands that human performance optimization is broader than exercise programming. The position requires someone capable of integrating physical readiness with nutrition, sleep, recovery, cognitive readiness, mental resilience, data-informed assessment, workforce development, technology, and organizational change.

Ascension is seeking a credible, collaborative professional who can work effectively with Navy fitness personnel, program leaders, technologists, analysts, and other specialized HPO practitioners. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating in an evolving environment, resolving ambiguous requirements, balancing scientific rigor with operational practicality, and developing solutions that improve Sailor health, performance, resilience, and mission readiness.

Summary of the Contractor Role

The HPO Lead SME will serve as Ascension’s principal technical authority for the HPO framework. The contractor will assess CNIC’s existing fitness structure, identify gaps between the current model and an integrated HPO operating model, and recommend practical improvements to programs, workforce competencies, training standards, assessments, processes, technologies, and performance measures.

The role will help CNIC define how multiple performance domains—including strength and conditioning, nutrition, recovery, sleep, injury prevention, stress management, cognitive readiness, and mental and emotional wellness—should work together within a unified model.

The HPO Lead SME will also help establish the standards, methods, and performance indicators needed to evaluate the Fiscal Year 2027 proof of concept. The individual must be able to convert scientific and operational evidence into actionable frameworks, standard operating procedures, implementation guidance, workforce recommendations, and measurable outcomes.

Because CNIC operates approximately 140 fitness facilities across 72 installations, recommendations must account for scalability, consistency, accessibility, workforce readiness, resource constraints, and differences among Navy installations.

Position Responsibilities and Anticipated Activities

The HPO Lead SME will:

• Lead the development and refinement of an integrated HPO framework supporting Sailor health, performance, resilience, and operational readiness.
• Assess the current CNIC MWR fitness operating model, workforce structure, services, training practices, technology, and available resources.
• Identify gaps in the integration of strength and conditioning, nutrition, recovery, sleep, injury prevention, cognitive readiness, stress management, and holistic wellness.
• Translate human-performance research, military lessons learned, and industry best practices into practical Navy programs and operating procedures.
• Define the HPO proof-of-concept methodology, including performance domains, service-delivery models, participant pathways, staffing considerations, and implementation standards.
• Develop evidence-based recommendations for individualized training, group programming, command-level engagement, education, and virtual service delivery.
• Advise CNIC on appropriate screening, assessment, testing, monitoring, and reassessment methods at the individual and group levels.
• Establish meaningful performance measures, outcome indicators, and evaluation criteria for determining whether HPO initiatives improve readiness and well-being.
• Recommend methods for collecting, analyzing, protecting, and reporting HPO data while respecting privacy and information-security requirements.
• Evaluate commercially available and emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence, machine learning, wearable devices, digital applications, and immersive platforms—for potential HPO use.
• Validate that proposed HPO technologies and services are scientifically credible, operationally practical, inclusive, accessible, and aligned with Navy requirements.
• Support the development of standard operating procedures, training standards, certification requirements, governance practices, and quality-control processes.
• Recommend workforce competencies and professional-development requirements for Navy Fitness Directors, Coordinators, Specialists, instructors, and other personnel supporting HPO delivery.
• Coordinate with specialists in nutrition, behavioral health, cognitive performance, rehabilitation, data analytics, instructional design, technology, and accessibility.
• Facilitate workshops, interviews, working sessions, and technical reviews with CNIC leadership, Navy fitness personnel, installation representatives, and other stakeholders.
• Review plans, processes, training materials, assessment instruments, dashboards, and technical deliverables for scientific accuracy and HPO alignment.
• Identify implementation risks, resource limitations, adoption barriers, safety concerns, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Support change-management and stakeholder-communication activities needed to transition personnel from a traditional fitness model to an integrated HPO model.
• Present technical findings and recommendations clearly to both specialized and nontechnical audiences.
• Mentor or coordinate supporting HPO SMEs and maintain consistency across the team’s technical recommendations.