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The Ravens have hired Dr. Nic Gill, the longtime head of performance for the New Zealand men’s national rugby team, as their vice president of health and performance, the team announced Monday.

In the newly created role, Gill will lead “integrated efforts across the strength and conditioning, medical, nutrition and sports science teams to optimize player health and performance,” the team said in a statement.

In New Zealand, Gill was appointed to lead the All Blacks’ strength and conditioning program in 2008. Over that span, the team won two of four Rugby World Cup titles, including New Zealand’s first since 1987.

Former All Blacks captain Sam Cane told the team’s website that Gill’s “combination of experience, knowledge, care, commitment and work ethic, along with being a top human being, has made him an invaluable part of the All Blacks group.“

“Gilly knew when to push you and when to pull back and you always knew he had your best interests at heart,” Cane added. “He wanted to help make you the best player you could be. Everyone had complete trust in him.”

In a statement, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta called Gill an “accomplished leader” who showed a “profound ability to impact” the All Blacks.

“As an expert in high performance, Gilly’s ability to lead an integrated and collaborative staff and to develop strong lasting relationships with players makes him an ideal fit for this newly-created role,” DeCosta said. “The health and performance of our players is paramount, and we are confident that Nic Gill positions us to be an industry standard organization moving forward.”

The New Zealand-born Gill has a doctorate in exercise physiology and serves as an associate professor in human performance at the University of Waikato.

In Baltimore, he’ll work with departments largely preserved during the transition from former coach John Harbaugh to Jesse Minter. Scott Elliott and Adrian Dixon were retained this offseason as strength and conditioning coordinator and head athletic trainer, respectively.

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate in my career, and I don’t take a move like this lightly,” Gill said in a statement. “The Ravens felt right, straight away — the people, the standards and the way they care about their players. I’m excited to get to work, build real relationships and help guys stay healthy, available and playing their best football.

“Coming from New Zealand to the NFL is a big move for my family and me, but it’s one we’re genuinely excited about. The Ravens have a strong reputation for doing things the right way, and I’m grateful for the chance to bring my knowledge and experience here, learn from everyone around me and contribute to something special in Baltimore.”