"Director, Student-Athlete Professional Development"

Position Purpose

The Director of Student-Athlete Career Development is responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive career development strategy tailored to the unique needs of Dartmouth’s student-athletes. This role oversees all aspects of career programming within Dartmouth Peak Performance (DP2), ensuring that student-athletes receive targeted support in career exploration, networking, and securing internships, externships, and full-time employment.

By building and maintaining relationships with alumni, employers, and campus partners, the director enhances opportunities for student-athletes to connect with industry professionals and gain valuable career experience. Additionally, this position serves as the Dartmouth Center for Career Design’s (DCCD) industry expert for students and alumni interested in careers in sports and recreation, developing specialized resources and programming in this field. The director also works collaboratively across departments, leveraging existing career resources while creating tailored initiatives that align with the career development process for student-athletes.

Description

Are you a passionate career development expert with a knack for connecting student-athletes with industry professionals? Do you have a vision for creating innovative career programming that sets students up for success? We’re seeking a talented Director of Student-Athlete Career Development to lead our efforts in this critical area.

Ideal Candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (career development, student affairs, sports management, business) with more than 5 years of experience in career services supporting student-athletes and connecting them with employers; and a proven track record of developing and implementing career-related programming, including networking events, employer engagement initiatives, and career readiness workshops.

If you:

• Are passionate about career development and student-athlete support
• Have experience working in career services within a college or university setting
• Are skilled in employer engagement strategies and building partnerships with organizations
• Have knowledge of NCAA compliance regulations related to student-athlete professional development and career opportunities

Then, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity!

Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp

Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., career development, student affairs, sports management, business, or related discipline)
• Five years of experience in career services, student-athlete support, employer relations, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in career development, coaching, or advising, preferably with student-athletes or within higher education.
• Ability to develop and implement career-related programming, including networking events, employer engagement initiatives, and career readiness workshops.
• Knowledge of career pathways in sports and recreation industries and the ability to guide students pursuing these careers.
• Understanding of varsity student-athletes’ unique career development needs and familiarity with NCAA regulations related to career and professional development.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with experience cultivating partnerships with employers, alumni, and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with students, faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Ability to assess program effectiveness, use data to inform decision-making, and enhance student outcomes.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple departments and initiatives.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with an understanding of how to support diverse student populations in career development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education, career development, sports management, business, or a related field.
• Experience working in career services within a college or university setting, particularly with student-athletes.
• Knowledge of employer engagement strategies and experience in building partnerships with organizations to create career opportunities.
• Familiarity with career assessment tools, such as CliftonStrengths, MBTI, or similar, to support student career exploration.
• Experience developing and managing mentorship or alumni networking programs, particularly in athletics or career development contexts.
• Knowledge of NCAA compliance regulations related to student-athlete professional development and career opportunities.
• Understanding of design thinking or life design methodologies and their application to career coaching and advising.
• Proficiency in career management platforms (e.g., Handshake, LinkedIn, PeopleGrove) and other digital tools used in career services.
• Experience facilitating workshops, trainings, or presentations for diverse audiences, including students, employers, and faculty.

Key Accountabilities

Career & Life Design Programming - (30%)

• Develops and implements tailored career & life design programming for varsity student-athletes.
• Ensures alignment with career discernment, networking opportunities, and experiential learning initiatives.

Athletic Career Network & Employer Engagement - (30%)

• Manages and expands the Big Green athletic career network by cultivating relationships with alumni, employers, and industry professionals.
• Supervises and manages career-related events, employer engagement initiatives, and networking opportunities to enhance high-impact career opportunities for student-athletes.

Industry Expertise & Specialized Support - (15%)

• Serves as the DCCD’s industry expert for careers in sports and recreation.
• Creates specialized resources, programs, and advising opportunities for students and alumni interested in the field.

Collaboration & Integration - (15%)

• Collaborates with the DCCD, DP2, and campus partners to integrate career development resources.
• Leverages existing programming while addressing the unique needs of student-athletes.

Program Assessment & Reporting - (10%)

• Evaluates program effectiveness and student-athlete engagement.
• Uses data to refine career initiatives and report outcomes to key stakeholders.

Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.

Performs other duties as assigned

Special Instructions to Applicants

To be fully considered, please submit materials by January 15, 2026. Please submit a list of references under “Additional Document #1”.

Required Documents: Cover Letter, Resume

Optional Documents: Additional Document #1