Assistant Director of Athletics Learning Services

Iowa State University • Ames, IA

2d

About The Position

Are you looking for a role where your leadership and creativity directly elevate student‑athlete academic success? Iowa State University Athletics is seeking an Assistant Director of Athletics Learning Services to help shape the academic journey of Cyclone student‑athletes. In this pivotal position, you’ll oversee all learning, tutoring, and specialist support services; lead a committed team; and drive initiatives like Cyclone Academy. You’ll collaborate closely with campus partners to ensure students with diverse learning needs have the resources, guidance, and support to thrive.

What You’ll Do
Serve on academic leadership team providing recommendations, planning, and problem solving. Design, implement and evaluate comprehensive learning support programs (tutoring, mentoring, learning specialists, assessment tools, etc). Supervise and lead a small work team and indirectly oversee a large team of tutors and mentors. Serve as a senior level learning specialist, delivering individualized academic support plans for a caseload of academically high-risk student-athletes and those with learning disabilities. Design and coordinate summer Cyclone Academy, Fall and Spring CyWay orientation sessions for new student-athletes. Serve as a liaison with the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and other campus units regarding student-athlete learning needs. Coordinate learning disability testing and follow through with accommodations and services provided by campus and community partners. Commitment to adhering to all rules and regulations of the University, Big 12 Conference, and NCAA. The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong foundation in learning support services, uphold high standards of academic integrity, and exhibit effective leadership and program‑planning abilities. They should possess strong communication skills, work collaboratively with colleagues and students, and maintain strict confidentiality. A commitment to multiculturalism and to supporting a diverse student population is essential. This role also requires flexibility and the ability to work outside normal business hours to meet student needs. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Level Guidelines • Aware of key annual objectives of department or work unit • Understands linkage between daily activities and achievement of annual objectives of department/work unit and explains to direct reports • Focus on ISU’s mission and meeting department or work unit goals • Supervises a small department or work team • Often is a working supervisor with direct, previous experience performing work of those supervised • Has full management responsibility for direct reports, specifically the authority to hire, fire, and counsel; may share part of responsibility with higher level management • Requests approval for financial actions beyond a limited scope per policy

About the Athletics Department As an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision athletics program and a founding member of the Big 12 Conference, Iowa State University sponsors 18 intercollegiate athletics teams and supports 450 student-athletes in their pursuit of academic and athletic excellence. ISU Athletics employs over 250 talented and dedicated full-time staff members, more than 500 temporary and student employees, and multiple auxiliary partners who collaboratively work within a culture to support and enhance the experiences of Cyclone student-athletes and their loyal fan base. Iowa State student-athletes have produced 10-consecutive years of record-setting Graduation Success Rate scores in the classroom, while athletically, the Cyclones have captured 19 national team championships, 140 national individual titles and 162 conference team championships in its rich history. www.cyclones.com

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience
• The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong foundation in learning support services, uphold high standards of academic integrity, and exhibit effective leadership and program‑planning abilities.
• They should possess strong communication skills, work collaboratively with colleagues and students, and maintain strict confidentiality.
• A commitment to multiculturalism and to supporting a diverse student population is essential.
• This role also requires flexibility and the ability to work outside normal business hours to meet student needs.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Oversight and programming for collegiate learning support services
• Proficiency in providing academic support plans to high‑risk collegiate student‑athletes
• Experience coordinating learning‑disability assessments and implementing accommodations
• Experience supervising full-time professional staff
• Experience providing oversight and quality assurance for a collegiate tutorial program
• Degree in a related field such as education, counseling or English

Responsibilities

• Serve on academic leadership team providing recommendations, planning, and problem solving.
• Design, implement and evaluate comprehensive learning support programs (tutoring, mentoring, learning specialists, assessment tools, etc).
• Supervise and lead a small work team and indirectly oversee a large team of tutors and mentors.
• Serve as a senior level learning specialist, delivering individualized academic support plans for a caseload of academically high-risk student-athletes and those with learning disabilities.
• Design and coordinate summer Cyclone Academy, Fall and Spring CyWay orientation sessions for new student-athletes.
• Serve as a liaison with the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and other campus units regarding student-athlete learning needs.
• Coordinate learning disability testing and follow through with accommodations and services provided by campus and community partners.
• Commitment to adhering to all rules and regulations of the University, Big 12 Conference, and NCAA.

Benefits

• Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director