Associate Director, Performance Nutrition - Olympic Sports

UCF Athletics Association Inc. • Orlando, FL

5d

About The Position

The Associate Director, Performance Nutrition administers, organizes, and supervises a progressive sports nutrition department and manages meal operations and catering to support student-athletes’ dietary and hydration needs in accordance with UCF, Conference, and NCAA rules and regulations. The role provides nutrition education and counseling to student-athletes, coaches, and staff; collaborates with sports medicine, dining services, and sports performance teams; and supports medical nutrition therapy and performance nutrition programs. The position also helps operate the Garvy Nutrition Center and sport-related fueling stations, including meal planning, inventory, cleanliness, and nutrition-focused recipe and production improvements. It supervises and onboards nutrition support staff, interns, work-study students, and volunteers, and maintains professional credentials and current knowledge of nutrition research, supplements, and applicable regulations. Due to the nature and scope of Athletics and Athletics events, the position often requires work on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Requirements

• Master's degree in an appropriate area of specialization, or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and two years of appropriate experience.
• Active Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) accreditation through the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
• Eligible for license or certification in the State of Florida (ANSI-Conference for Food Protection) within the first three months of employment.
• Integrity and character, with a commitment to knowing and complying with applicable NCAA, Conference, and institutional rules.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as often required by Athletics operations and events.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of nutrition experience working with sports teams.
• Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD).
• Experience in sports sciences or sports performance coaching.
• Strong attention to detail and written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and implement nutrition education for assigned student-athletes and multiple sports teams, including revenue and Olympic sports programs.
• Conduct regular high-performance meetings with assigned sports and related staff regarding student-athlete health and performance.
• Recognize signs and symptoms of eating disorders and disordered eating, make recommendations to athletes and the performance team, and collaborate with medical and mental health professionals.
• Collaborate with sports medicine staff, dining services, and sport coaches to provide group or individual nutrition education as needed.
• Collaborate with sports performance staff to provide evidence-based performance nutrition and supplementation supporting training performance and recovery.
• Collaborate with sports performance and sports medicine staff on medical nutrition therapy for the management and treatment of medical and non-sport-related conditions or diseases, including communication with relevant University departments when appropriate.
• Assist in daily operations of the full-service training table at the Garvy Nutrition Center and sport-related fueling stations, including engagement on meal quantity, quality, and timing.
• Assist the chef in planning, organizing, and managing meals at the Garvy Nutrition Center, enhancing recipe nutritional content and improving production techniques and service efficiency.
• Maintain clean, disinfected, and organized fueling stations and surrounding areas; manage inventory, stock stations, remove debris and spills, and clean stations and equipment.
• Identify potential alternative or satellite fueling stations where appropriate.
• Maintain Registered Dietitian credentials and continuing education through CDR and state licensure, and stay current on performance nutrition research and nutrition-related trends, including fad diets and supplements.
• Research and educate or counsel coaches, student-athletes, and staff on appropriate, legal, and NCAA-compliant supplement use; regularly evaluate compliant products and identify restricted and banned substances under NCAA rules.
• Supervise, manage, and onboard nutrition support staff, interns, work-study students, and volunteers; manage dietetic intern programs each semester if applicable.
• Know and comply with NCAA, Conference, and institutional rules applicable to the UCF Athletics program.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and supplemental insurance.
• Flexible spending and health savings accounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Wellness initiatives and programming; UCF Athletics has received Cigna Healthcare’s silver-level Healthy Workforce Designation.
• Paid annual and sick time off and paid holidays for applicable positions.
• Retirement savings options.
• Employee discounts, including tickets to Orlando attractions.
• Tickets to UCF sporting events.
• Education assistance.

What This Job Offers

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