Director of Student-Athlete Leadership and Development

University of Wisconsin Stout • Superior, WI

22h • Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for designing and delivering a comprehensive leadership development framework that supports student-athletes’ personal growth, self-discovery, and integration of institutional learning outcomes. It also provides professional development for coaches and athletics staff. The role leads department-wide initiatives that enhance the student-athlete experience, foster belonging and community, and promote meaningful engagement through leadership education and service opportunities. In collaboration with campus partners, the role supports student-athlete retention and successful transitions by delivering targeted first-year programming, career readiness, and financial literacy initiatives that prepare student-athletes for success during and beyond their collegiate experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Two years of professional experience in collegiate athletics, student-athlete development, leadership education, or a closely related area
• Valid driver’s license
• Must be independently, legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain their work authorization without the support or help of UW-Superior throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution
• 5 years of professional experience in collegiate athletics, student-athlete development, leadership education, or a closely related area
• Prior collegiate coaching experience or demonstrated experience working with collegiate coaches and athletics staff.
• Experience designing, implementing, and assessing leadership development programs for diverse student populations.

Responsibilities

• Monitor the program budget and approve expenditures.
• Plan, organize, administer, and manage processes and operations related to assigned area(s) of responsibility.
• Schedule logistics and secure resources to support the operational plans of the program or unit.
• Monitor, evaluate, and modify processes, procedures, and/or standards, ensuring alignment with the Institution's mission, values, goals, and objectives, as well as all local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Advise and enforce Institution policies related to services in Student Affairs.
• Exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 FTE or equivalent employees.
• Serve as the program or unit liaison to internal and external stakeholder groups.
• Design, implement, and assess a comprehensive student-athlete leadership development curriculum focused on personal growth, self-discovery, and integration of the university’s learning outcomes.
• Develop and facilitate department-wide leadership education programs and events, such as workshops, speaker series, retreats, and small-group learning opportunities, which provide deeper skill development and personal growth.
• Partner and support coaches to integrate leadership development into team cultures and competitive environments, serving as a resource and thought partner for coaches seeking to strengthen leadership development within their teams.
• Facilitate professional development sessions and retreats for coaches and athletics staff focusing on relevant topics to their professional development, such as transformational leadership, communication, inclusive team cultures, conflict management, and athlete-centered coaching.
• Lead department-wide initiatives and programming that enhance the student-athlete experience, cultivate a sense of belonging and community, and deepen overall engagement of student-athletes.
• Assist with the coordination of department community service initiatives and opportunities for student-athlete service-learning and civic engagement aligned with institutional and athletic department priorities.
• Collaborate with campus partners to support student-athlete retention, persistence, and graduation outcomes through coordinated efforts, proactive outreach and interventions, and furthering institutional initiatives.
• Develop and deliver programming focused on first-year transition, supporting student-athletes’ adjustment to college academics, athletics, and campus life while fostering early connection, engagement, and persistence.
• Assist graduate-ready student-athletes with career-readiness and leadership skill translation to internships, employment, and postgraduate opportunities.
• Coordinate workshops and learning opportunities with campus partners focused on financial literacy, career exploration, and post-graduation planning, ensuring student-athletes are equipped with practical life and workforce skills.
• Promote the philosophy and objectives of the athletic program; to include adhering to and enforcing all departmental policies and procedures, as well as rules and regulations of the University, the governing sport conference, and the NCAA.
• Participate in public relations activities to include speaking engagements, television and radio interviews and press conferences, as approved or requested.
• Represent Athletic Department at professional, civic, charitable and alumni events.
• Provide additional departmental support to duties assigned by the Director of Athletics.
• Complete required trainings and professional development as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off
• Competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance
• Tax-advantaged savings accounts
• Participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund

What This Job Offers

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