Job Description

Pay Grade: 30E 

Context of Job:

Student Services for Athletes (SSA) supports the academic success, personal development, and retention of University of Delaware student athletes by providing comprehensive academic advising, tutoring coordination, study hall oversight, and individualized academic support. As a member of the Student-Athlete Success Team, SSA works collaboratively with the Division of Student Life and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation Services to foster student athlete success in the classroom and beyond.
The Assistant Director, Student Services for Athletes/Head of Football Academic Advising serves as a senior academic advisor within SSA and provides leadership for academic advising and academic support services for a caseload of varsity student-athletes across multiple athletic programs. This position collaborates closely with coaches, faculty, learning specialists, and campus partners to ensure student-athletes maintain academic progress, meet eligibility requirements, and successfully complete their degrees. SSA operates through a collaborative advising model in which multiple Assistant Directors collectively support all varsity programs, allowing caseloads and sport assignments to shift as operational needs evolve.

Major Responsibilities:

Academic Advising and Caseload Management

• Serve as the primary academic advisor for a designated caseload of student-athletes across multiple varsity programs.
• Conduct regular academic advising meetings focused on course selection, academic planning, progress toward degree completion, and eligibility requirements.
• Monitor academic progress and identify student-athletes in need of additional academic intervention or support.
• Develop individualized academic success plans for academically at-risk student-athletes.
• Coordinate tutoring, study hall participation, and additional academic resources as needed.
• Track academic progress toward NCAA and institutional eligibility requirements.
• Monitor student-athlete academic performance and provide regular updates to coaching staff and SSA leadership.
• Ensure compliance with university academic policies, NCAA regulations, and FERPA guidelines.

Academic Support Programming

• Assist in the oversight of academic support operations within the Whitney Athletic Center, including study hall monitoring and tutoring coordination.
• Work collaboratively with learning specialists to support student-athletes with learning challenges or academic skill development needs.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of academic success programming for student-athletes.

Career Development

• Advise student-athletes on career exploration, professional aspirations, and strategic pathways to achieve post-graduate goals, including internships, networking, and skill development
• Assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of career development programming and events with the Associate Director of Career Readiness
• Assist in the tracking and maintenance of relationships with program alumni to cultivate networking opportunities, mentorship connections, and career pipelines for current student-athletes

Staff Leadership and Supervision

• Provide supervision and mentorship to academic advisors, graduate assistants, interns, or student support staff as assigned.
• Assist with training, onboarding, and professional development of staff within SSA.
• Support the coordination of daily academic support operations.

Collaboration and Campus Partnerships

• Serve as a liaison between athletics and academic departments, faculty, and campus support offices.
• Collaborate with campus partners to connect student-athletes with resources including advising, counseling, disability support, and career development services.
• Participate in institutional initiatives that support student success and retention

Recruiting Support

• Assist coaching staff in recruiting prospective student athletes by providing academic advising during official visits and recruitment activities
• Communicate academic expectations, degree planning considerations, and academic support resources to prospective student-athletes and their families

Strategic Initiatives and Program Development

• Assist SSA leadership with strategic planning and program development efforts
• Contribute to assessment and reporting on academic support programs and student-athlete outcomes
• Serve on committees and working groups within Student Life and Athletics

Additional Responsibilities

• Travel with athletic teams as needed to support academic oversight and student athlete success
• Work evenings and weekends as necessary to support athletics operations
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, student affairs, higher education administration, education, or related field and four years of experience in academic advising, student development, or student support services, preferably within intercollegiate athletics or higher education, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s degree preferred.
• Strong knowledge of academic advising practices, student development theory, and retention strategies.
• Understanding of NCAA academic eligibility standards and institutional academic policies.
• Demonstrated ability to support students from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with coaches, faculty, and campus partners.
• Knowledge of FERPA regulations and student privacy requirements.
• Experience working with NCAA Division I student-athletes preferred.
• Experience supervising professional or student staff preferred.
• Experience working with academically at-risk student populations preferred.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and occasional travel up to 15%

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