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Associate Athletics Director, Academics and Scholar-Athlete Development

Apply now Posting #: 4726
Position Status: Full-time regular
Location: San Diego
Position Type: Administrator, Athletics

Position Title & Department:

 Associate Athletics Director, Academics and Scholar-Athlete Development; Athletics
Posting #

4726

Department Description:

As part of the University of San Diego, a Roman Catholic University, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to advancing academic and athletic excellence and enhancing students' lives while promoting the University of San Diego.

University Description:

The University of San Diego, a contemporary and engaged Roman Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.

Detailed Description:
Supports the University of San Diego's efforts to advancing academic excellence, expanding liberal and professional knowledge, creating a diverse and inclusive community and preparing leaders who are dedicated to ethical conduct and compassionate service. Works to deliver an extraordinary scholar-athlete experience while supporting and developing the personal, educational, physical, mental and spiritual well-being of scholar athletes.

The Senior Associate Athletic Director for Academics and Scholar-Athlete Development serves on the Executive Leadership Team and assist the University’s Intercollegiate Athletics program in establishing measurable objectives that achieve the parallel goals of advancing quality, competitive athletics programs and supporting the educational goals, holistic development and health and wellness of scholar-athletes.

Manages and oversees the Academic Services (academic counseling, tutorial services, and study hall) for 17 Division I Intercollegiate Sports and 430 athletes.

Provides leadership, programmatic direction and budget oversight of the NCAA Student Athlete Affairs Program specific to the 4-year scholar-athlete experience in relation to academic success, personal development, diversity, equity and inclusion education and training, career preparation and community service initiatives.

In collaboration with each head coach, facilitate the creation, execution and metrics of success for program’s vision planning, strategy and ongoing assessment efforts. Supervise and evaluate head coaches, monitor budget and fundraising efforts, and work with the head coach to create and manage an environment conducive to winning in the classroom, winning in the community and winning on the playing field.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Oversee all aspects of Athletic Academic Support and NCAA Student Athlete Affairs Programs:

  • Lead and evaluates departmental efforts in services and programming for scholar- athletes in academics, community outreach, career, leadership and personal development, diversity, equity and inclusion education and training
  • Manages athletics academic support programs with focus on achievement, personal development, retention and graduation; academic counseling, tutorial services, study hall as well as relationships with faculty, advisors and dean’s within The College of Arts and Sciences, Knauss School of Business and Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering
  • Supervise and equip a staff of academic counselors to be effective and excel in their roles by providing information, guidance, direction and ongoing training necessary to exceed expectations
  • Achieve an NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 95% while aspiring to graduate 100% of our scholar-athletes
  • Achieve a cumulative grade point average for all scholar-athletes that meets or exceeds the average GPA for all undergraduates at USD each term
  • Achieve an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 985 (average APR of all teams)
  • Recognize and celebrate academic and athletic excellence; recommend and nominate scholar-athletes for scholarships and awards, including but not limited to WCC Scholar Athlete of the Year, WCC Postgraduate Scholarship and USD’s Alcala Award
  • Plan and execute annual Torero Networking Night (internship/job fair), Celebration of Excellence (academic and athletic achievements) President’s Luncheon for Scholar Athletes (academic ceremony) and Graduation Ceremony for Scholar-Athletes
  • Represent the department and serve as liaison to the university community and conference office. Actively participate on USD, WCC and NCAA committees
  • Maintain and revise the Scholar Athlete Handbook on an annual basis
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Vice President/Executive Director for Athletics or Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Administration

Community Engagement and Service:

  • Identifies and facilitates community service opportunities; strengthens the University and Intercollegiate Athletics Program position as an anchor institution through changemaking and by positively impacting the Linda Vista and Greater San Diego Communities
  • Cultivates service learning opportunities through contact with community and social service organizations
  • Coordinates community service initiatives and events on behalf of the athletics department for scholar-athletes
  • Win the West Coast Conference Community Service Award: have the highest average of community service hours per scholar-athlete in the WCC

Career Development:

  • Strategic alignment of unit goals will be developed in consultation with Associate Vice President/Executive Director for Athletics or Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Administration
  • Develops and executes career readiness events to include but not limited to Torero Networking Night, and Senior Summit
  • Partners with the Career Development Center and Employers to facilitate resume building workshops, mock interviews, networking and job/internship events for scholar- athletes
  • Maintains records of events, and participants for reporting and tracking purposes
  • Collects and compiles annual career outcomes data on scholar-athletes completing their undergraduate degrees

Leadership and Personal Development:

  • Provides leadership and personal development opportunities to scholar-athletes, shaping who they are and who they aspire to become
  • Promotes the highest levels of achievement in the classroom, within teams, and in life
  • Direct personal development programs; schedule guest speakers, presentations and educational offerings related to mental health and well-being, healthy relationships, consent, sexual assault prevention & bystander intervention, acts of intolerance and academic integrity or dishonesty
  • Gather campus integration data via scholar-athlete participation in student organizations and clubs (academic/professional, multicultural, religious, Changemaker, etc.) to increase involvement in educationally purposeful activities and help expand the capacity of athletes to perform in leadership roles

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

  • In consultation and coordination with the Associate Vice President/Executive Director for Athletics, coordinates, promotes and implements educational programming to fosters a community of inclusion
  • Welcomes the unique contributions that individuals bring in terms of their education, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, spirituality, socio-economic status, ability, family status, veteran’s status, experiences, opinions, and ideas to help build and support diversity, inclusion and equity initiatives
  • Works collaboratively with athletic administrators, coaches and scholar-athletes to address diversity, equity, inclusion and opportunity
  • Hosts diversity, equity and inclusion workshops and educational programming for teams
  • Reads professional literature to stay current in the field; seeks opportunities for continual professional development

Academic Counseling:

  • Oversees the academic progress from matriculation to graduation of all 17 Division I sports and scholar-athletes; work directly with Men’s Basketball, Football and Baseball with a focus on academic achievement, personal development and graduation
  • Serves as primary contact for all scholar athletes as it pertains to academics
  • Provides one-on-one academic counseling. Counsel students on academically related matters to include degree planning, satisfactory progress, academic eligibility, selection of major(s) and minor(s), fulfillment of core and major requirements, course scheduling and sequencing, and arranging appropriate academic timelines leading to graduation
  • Meets with designated athletes from assigned sports regarding course expectations outlined in syllabus, academic progress in each class, including performance on assignments, quizzes, tests, papers, projects, class attendance, etcetera; develop plans to foster individual potential and success
  • Assesses individual student learning, motivation, attitudes and classroom behaviors to determine appropriate intervention strategies. Work to enhance time management, organizational skills, learning and study strategies, note taking, and other habits necessary for academic success
  • Monitors academic progress of scholar athletes through in-person appointments, telephone contact, text messages, e-mails or routine contact with faculty
  • Recognizes academic and personal challenges; cultivates change and desirable outcomes
  • Coordinates periodic academic progress reports and grade checks each semester at the five and twelve week mark; distributes academic progress reports to coaches, academic counselors and athletic administrators. Meets routinely with academic staff to collaborate and share ideas, information and problem solve
  • Briefs head coaches and staff on scholar-athletes at odds with maintaining satisfactory academic progress or academic eligibility concerns as well as plans to resolve issues based on data and thoughtful analysis
  • Communicates with sport facilitators and head coaches regarding student athletes’ progress toward degree to ensure that athletic aid recipients complete their degrees within four years or within eligibility
  • Introduces academic resources and services, shared information related to academic support to scholar athletes at annual orientation, eligibility and compliance meetings
  • Collaborates with the Director of Compliance on establishing initial eligibility and certify continuing eligibility; helps compile information for Graduate Success Rate and Academic Progress Rate reports.
  • Makes referrals to other campus offices and departments (Center for Student Success, Center for Health and Wellness Promotion, Counseling Center, International Center, Dean’s Office, etc.) as appropriate
  • Presents academic information and services for the recruitment of student-athletes; meet individually with prospective student-athletes and parents to discuss academic programs and academic support services

Other:

  • In collaboration with each head coach, lead the creation, execution and metrics of success for program’s vision planning, strategy and ongoing assessment efforts
  • Serves as the conduit for communication with head coaches and scholar-athletes as well as each of the service areas, ensure consistency in administration of programs, identify areas to enhance sport programs and assist in managing any issues that arise
  • In conjunction with head coach, assemble a regional competition schedule to position the program to be competitive at the conference, and to achieve individual and team status at the national level
  • Promotes an atmosphere for compliance by maintaining a working knowledge of NCAA, West Coast Conference, Pioneer Football League, Mountain Pacific Sports Federation rules and regulations
  • Potential oversight of some or all aspects of Compliance 
  • Potential for Sport Facilitator
  • Completes required annual USD Compliance Training (Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 and Workplace Harassment Training) in a timely manner
  • Seeks interpretations from the compliance staff before acting when necessary; reports potential rules violations immediately; and monitors all areas and/or programs activities closely to maintain compliance with applicable rules and regulations

Special Conditions of Employment:

  • Ability to work nights and weekends are required
  • Ability to work all year round and some holidays as required
  • Ability to travel with teams when required
  • Successful completion of required background checks

Effective June 1, 2023, based on CDC guidance, the University strongly encourages all campus members to stay up to date with Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination recommendations.  For more regarding information USD's COVID-19 protocols, please visit sandiego.edu/onward.

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes. 

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree required

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master’s Degree in Education or Counseling preferred
  • Supervisory experience preferred
  • Three years of full-time experience working in intercollegiate athletics and/or cumulative experience related to the above description preferred
  • Working knowledge of NCAA Division I rules and regulations preferred

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Experience with coordinating programs and activities; organizational and program management skills
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Experience in both short and long range planning and the ability to focus on administrative details
  • Must be able to work collaboratively and effectively with other staff, scholar athletes, coaches and administrators
  • Must be able to work in time sensitive, fast-paced and demanding environment.
  • Ability to manage a high volume of workload during the academic year
  • Ability to learn and navigate University software (e.g., Banner, Degree Works, Salesforce, SAP Concur, Workday, etc.)
  • Proficient with word processing and spreadsheet software programs
  • Interpersonal skills to be able to work effectively with scholar-athletes

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

  • Heartsaver CPR /AED certification required. Must have this certificate within 6 weeks of employment
  • California driver’s license required within 6 weeks of employment
Posting Salary:

$6,666.66 - $8,333.33 per month; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers.  Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.  USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position.  Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Special Application Instructions:

Resume and Cover Letter Required

Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers’ review.  If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.

We encourage those with university level academic support services and or university NCAA compliance backgrounds to apply.
Additional Details:

Hours: 40 hours per week

Closing date: Open until filled

Note: External job postings will be up for at least five days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion and is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the campus community.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.

Advertised: Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:

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Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at www.sandiego.edu/safety/documents/annualreport.pdf. This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response stands and protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. To request a paper copy, please contact the Clery Act Compliance Manager via email at clery@sandiego.edu, by calling (619) 260-4768, or in-person in the Hughes Administration Center, room 150.