Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Nutrition

Iowa State University•Ames, IA

About The Position

Iowa State University Athletics is seeking a dynamic, experienced Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Nutrition to lead departmental operations and nutritional strategies that support Cyclone student-athletes. The position will build and enhance a high-performing nutrition program supported by industry-leading facilities and infrastructure, lead staff, and advance competitive success through evidence-based performance nutrition. The role leads Performance Nutrition business operations, including strategic planning, forecasting, education, annual reports, and fiscal oversight of an approximately $4 million annual budget. It directs meal planning and scheduling for the Stark Performance Center Nutrition Center, catered meals, post-competition recovery strategies, and fueling stations, and serves as the liaison between Iowa State and the nutrition center vendor. The Assistant Athletics Director supervises full-time staff and student interns; develops sport- and individual-specific nutrition programs, including disordered-eating planning; provides confidential dietetic assessments and counseling; and oversees sports nutrition education. The role also collaborates with internal and external partners, participates in recruiting presentations, and works with Iowa State’s Department of Food Science and Nutrition to provide clinical experience and supervision for future sport dietitians. All duties must comply with NCAA, Big 12 Conference, and university policies. The position requires some evening and weekend work to consult with student-athletes, coaches, or prospective families. It serves at the pleasure of university administration and is exempt from certain P&S policies. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on an ongoing basis without sponsorship; immigration sponsorship is unavailable.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 5 years of related experience.
Registered dietitian with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
Hold and maintain licensure as a Licensed Dietitian in the State of Iowa.
Proven experience in sports dietetics.
Strong leadership, operations management, and budget-planning skills.
Strong customer service focus.
Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Ability to solve problems and exercise sound judgment.
Commitment to multiculturalism and working with a diverse student body.
Legally authorized to work in the United States on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD).
Related master’s degree.
Documented experience in administrative oversight of a sports nutrition department, or equivalent.
Experience managing the budget for a large collegiate sports nutrition department and dining center.
Experience providing sports nutrition counseling, educational programming, and meal planning for athletes and teams.
Experience counseling disordered eating or eating disorders.
Expertise working with nutritional supplement programs for athletes.

Responsibilities

Lead Performance Nutrition business operations, including strategic planning, forecasting, education, annual reports, and fiscal oversight of an approximately $4 million annual budget.
Ensure strong financial controls and compliance with applicable guidelines.
Serve on the Sports Medicine, Performance, and Welfare leadership team.
Collaborate with internal and external partners and stakeholders to support student-athlete potential and maintain positive, collegial relationships.
Direct meal planning and scheduling for the Stark Performance Center Nutrition Center, catered meals, post-competition recovery strategies, and fueling stations.
Serve as the liaison between Iowa State University and the nutrition center vendor.
Supervise full-time staff members and student interns, fostering a collaborative, service-oriented team culture and trust, confidence, and confidentiality with student-athletes.
Maintain comprehensive, sport- and individual-specific nutrition programs, including disordered-eating planning, to enhance performance and support student-athlete wellness.
Provide confidential, individualized dietetic assessments and counseling to student-athletes and teams.
Oversee sports nutrition education.
Participate in recruiting presentations.
Establish and foster a working relationship with Iowa State’s Department of Food Science and Nutrition to provide clinical experience and supervision for future sport dietitians.
Perform duties in accordance with NCAA, Big 12 Conference, and university policies.
Provide consultation to student-athletes, coaches, or prospective families, including some evenings and weekends.