Senior Director of Player Engagement, Community Relations, and Life After Football

Washington Athletics aims to inspire champions in competition and in the classroom. We exist to enrich the lives of students to positively impact our community and world for generations to come. Operating with the four core values of growth mindset, committed service, humility and grit, the Huskies choose to lead by example. All Husky Athletics staff make an IMPACT by committing to creating a purpose driven culture that impacts students and our greater community. We engage in GROWTH through dynamic conversations, embracing creativity, and recognizing that every challenge represents an opportunity to learn. We are a COMMUNITY who strive to create experiences for our stakeholders every single day. At our core is the belief that INCLUSION means creating spaces and places that reflect equity, advocacy and belonging for all.

With over 650 student-athletes participating in UW's 22 sports programs, the department of Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to providing student-athletes with the ability to compete for national and conference championships while working toward a degree from one of the world's leading public research universities. 

This position reports to the Head Football Coach and oversees a staff of at least one full-time Director of Player Development.

Responsibilities –

• This position directs and implements the creative vision and plan to establish programming that will prepare over 115 student-athletes participating in the football program for life after football.  This position will engage student-athletes and teach them to develop the skills needed to prepare them with the knowledge and life skills needed for the long-term interests of the student-athletes. Serve as a mentor, advisor, and liaison to all players in the program. This position will build out a comprehensive leadership program for the entire team. This position will design and implement a leadership curriculum, mapping out a year-round plan, teaching team-building classes, scheduling team-bonding activities, and promoting cohesion within the program.
• Create the vision for, design, and oversee the implementation of a Leadership Lab, including building out a physical space within the football building. Consult with industry professionals and community leaders to identify and develop external resources, strategy, and programming intended to build leadership skills.
• Direct and provide innovative and dynamic leadership of the Point After Program, which focuses on the holistic development of football student-athletes. Responsible for designing and implementing educational modules intended to assist student-athletes to create a vision, a life map, and to learn the tools needed to execute their plans for life after football. 
• Serve as the primary administrator in football regarding planning, organizing, and oversight of football student-athletes participating in the ICA Summer Leap Program. Will create a new-student mentorship program pairing the incoming student-athletes with the upperclassmen. Provide updates to the Head Football Coach as needed on all details regarding both Leap and freshman player transition matters.  Serve as point of contact for all freshman parents.
• Supervise and direct the work of the Director of Player Development to provide skill training around writing resumes, job interviewing, and networking. Ensure and support the organization of an internship program in accordance with NCAA rules. This includes building strategic alliances and nurturing relationships with community members, CEOs, and other leaders of major businesses and organizations in the community. Coordinate guest speakers to present on skill development topics to the football student-athletes.  Oversee the annual on-boarding program for incoming football student-athletes including moving logistics, housing applications, dorm selections, roommate choices, medical physicals, player parking, and their integration into life on campus and in Seattle.  Provide direct oversight of the development of a community outreach program that provides opportunities for football student-athletes to volunteer and give back to the community.  Track all team-related community events and service hours.
• Meet with recruits and their families to showcase life skills programming, Leadership Lab, Point After Program, and other educational programs for both official and unofficial recruit visits.
• This position will be responsible and accountable for the development and oversight of the budgets associated with the Leadership Lab and the Point After Program. Coordinate requirements and monitor expenses on a weekly basis to ensure fiscal accountability to the overall program budget within the football program.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Compliance with the rules and regulations of the University, the NCAA, the Conference, the State of Washington and any other governing body is of paramount importance to the University. The overall responsibility of this position is for the successful operation of the program in full compliance with all such rules and regulations. As a condition of employment, the Employee shall be required to participate in rules education programs offered by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of experience in athletic operations/administration, development, academics/advising or other relevant field, particularly in a collegiate and/or professional football environment; or an equivalent combination of related education and experience.
• Proficient skills in Microsoft Office and Outlook. Professional communication skills, both verbal and written, and related work experience interacting with other high-level professionals.
• Must be willing and able to work some evenings and weekends, especially from August through December. Flexibility in scheduling vacation and other time off is a necessity as there are certain times of the year (August through January and April) that are labor-intensive

Application Process: 

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law