Assistant Director, Academic & Student-Athlete Development

Job Posting

Position Details

Position Information

Job Title Assistant Director, Academic & Student-Athlete Development

Department Athletic Administration

Job Code A21325

Job category Full Time Staff

Terms and Hours Full Time Exempt

Salary Range Starting Salary $46,640; commensurate with experience

Job Summary

The Assistant Director, Academic & Student-Athlete Development supports the academic success, personal development, and overall well-being of student-athletes through comprehensive advising, academic support, and developmental programming. The position manages an assigned student-athlete caseload, monitors academic progress and NCAA academic eligibility requirements, develops individualized intervention strategies, and connects student-athletes with appropriate University resources. The Assistant Director also develops and assesses student-athlete development initiatives focused on leadership, career readiness, life skills, and personal growth, while collaborating with coaches, faculty, Athletics staff, and campus partners to foster student success, retention, degree completion, and preparation for life beyond collegiate athletics. This position reports to the Senior Associate Athletic Director, Academics and Student-Athlete Development in University Athletics.

University of Portland Athletics is committed to change and stand against racism and systemic discrimination, in our department, program, on our campus, and in our community. We are committed to the well-being, education and equality of every person, and are committed to taking action to drive societal and systematic change.

Core Duties

• Provide academic advising, support, and case management for assigned student-athletes, monitoring academic progress, degree progression, course enrollment, academic performance, and individual success plans to promote retention, persistence, and timely degree completion.
• Monitor the academic progress of assigned student-athletes and identify students requiring additional support, developing and implementing individualized intervention strategies in collaboration with student-athletes, coaches, faculty, academic advisors, and appropriate campus resources.
• Communicate regularly with coaches regarding academic expectations and academic performance of student-athletes.
• Compile, distribute, and update missed-class-time calendars for all teams.
• Coordinate academic support services for assigned student-athletes, including tutoring, academic mentoring, progress reporting, academic check-ins, and other targeted support programs; evaluate student needs and recommend appropriate resources and interventions on campus..
• Assist student athletes with the priority registration process each semester.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with departmental faculty, Academic Advisors, Health & Counseling Center, Shepard Academic Resource Center, Accessible

Education

• Services, and other campus partners to provide comprehensive and coordinated support for student-athletes.

• Prepare and communicate academic progress reports and relevant student-athlete success information to Athletics leadership, coaches, compliance personnel, and other appropriate stakeholders while maintaining confidentiality and adherence to applicable University requirements.

• Supervise, train, and mentor graduate assistants, academic mentors, tutors, student employees, or other assigned personnel, including participation in hiring, onboarding, work assignment, performance feedback, and professional development, as applicable.

• Maintain current knowledge of NCAA, conference, University, and Athletics policies and requirements related to student-athlete academic success and development, performing assigned responsibilities in accordance with applicable standards. Division I academic-services roles specifically emphasize adherence to NCAA, conference, and institutional requirements.

• Provide key support as a representative of Athletics and Academic & Student-Athlete Development on assigned University committees, departmental initiatives, recruiting activities, orientations, and other events, serving as a resource regarding student-athlete academic success and development programs.

• Serve as Athletics liaison to the Office of Residence Life and Bon Appetit dining services to coordinate student-athlete housing and meals, including break periods and summer enrollment.

• Ability to travel with assigned Teams as needed and may be required to drive student athletes and/or Athletics personnel to practice, games, or other functions.

• Manage administration of NCAA Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund.

• Other duties as relevant to the duties of the position or as assigned by supervisor or designee.

• Please note that the above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s purview and responsibility.

• Education & Experience

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in higher education, education, sport management or a related field.

• Required: One to two years of professional experience in academic advising, student success, student-athlete development, student affairs, collegiate athletics, or a related higher education environment.

• Strongly preferred: Previous experience working with student-athletes in a Division I athletic department.

• Preferred: Experience coordinating programs, workshops, educational initiatives, or student development activities.

• Preferred: Master’s degree in relevant field of study.

• Or equivalent education and/or experience.

• Certifications & Licenses

• Valid Drivers License

• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to monitor student academic progress, identify areas of concern, develop appropriate intervention and support strategies.

• Knowledge of student development, academic success, retention, and student support practices.

• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively with students, coaches, faculty, staff, and campus partners.

• Ability to analyze student or program data, maintain accurate records, and use information to support decision-making and continuous improvement.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when working with sensitive and confidential student information.

• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.

• Strong orientation towards taking ownership of projects and assignments and being proactive with projects, assignments, and process improvements.

• Ability to learn and apply applicable University and other applicable policies.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Competence with and commitment to inclusive excellence; ability to be an effective partner with diverse students, faculty, and staff.

• Ability to establish effective working relationships, professional rapport, and effectively accomplish work within a University setting that includes a wide array of individuals, groups, policies, and processes.

• Effective ability to use and learn computers, technology, software, and applications at level of sophistication required for the duties of the position, including, without limitation, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), the internet, and computerized management systems.

• Physical Requirements

• Frequently: sit, perform desk-based computer tasks; use fine manipulation and grasp; use a telephone; write by hand; sort and file paperwork.

• Occasionally: stand and walk; twist; lift, carry, push, and pull objects that up to 25 pounds.

• Frequently: ability to attend events and activities on or off campus.

• Frequently: ability to interact and communicate with members of the University and others as necessary.

• Occasionally: Travel by car or air, drive as requested.

• Working Conditions

• Hours of employment: sometimes may require working flexible and/or longer hours, when necessitated by projects, including some early mornings, evenings/nights, and weekends.

• Work-related stress: sometimes there may be stress from work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters.

• Travel: sometimes may require travel.

• Work Standards

• Respect for the University’s mission and Catholic identity: demonstrates commitment to learning, respecting, and contributing to the mission of the University, a Catholic and Congregation of Holy Cross institution. The University’s mission statement states in relevant part: “we pursue teaching and learning, fai