Assistant Director, Football Performance Nutrition/Dietitian

About the Role

This role provides sports nutrition programming to enhance the health and performance of football student-athletes in a highly competitive, Division I athletics program. Responsibilities include assisting in athletic food service operations, counseling football team members on daily nutrition for performance and health both on-site and during travel, translating scientific evidence into practical sports nutrition recommendations, and maintaining professional competency in nutrition counseling and education.

This position is expected to be a leader within the department by cultivating a positive culture and promoting the core values of the intercollegiate athletics program, adhering to the principles of the Athletic Department’s Mission Statement, as well as the rules and regulations of the University, the Big 12 Conference, and the NCAA.

Responsibilities

• Assists in the development of nutrition policies and procedures.
• Assists in quantity food production and distribution, including developing and handling training table menus and catering.
• Advises athletics administrators on contracts and/or sponsorships specific to dietary/nutritional products and services.
• Participates as an integral member of an interdisciplinary team charged with the screening, treatment, and prevention of disordered eating/eating disorders, and develops medical nutrition therapy protocols as indicated.
• Assists with the evaluation, recommendation, purchasing, receiving, and distribution of dietary/nutritional supplements, ensuring legality, safety, quality, and efficacy consistent with NCAA regulations and athletics department policies.
• Monitors ongoing use of appropriate supplementation and stays current with research on the sports supplement industry.
• Advises food service managers on menu development and planning.
• Addresses nutritional needs and requirements when traveling with the team.
• Confers with design, building, and equipment personnel to plan for construction and remodeling of food service units and/or dining hall facilities.
• Maintains dietetic registration and continuing education requirements.
• Participates in professional organizations, workshops, seminars, and development programs related to expertise.
• Stays abreast of current food, nutrition, and health issues and research related to sports nutrition.
• Counsels individual student-athletes and teams on positive nutrition and healthful eating habits to maintain and promote wellness and quality of life.
• Provides guidance on optimal nutrition practices for exercise training, competition, recovery from exercise, recovery from illness and injury, weight management, hydration, and supplementation.
• Assesses and analyzes dietary practices, energy balance, and medical status of athletes to develop and implement individualized nutrition plans.
• Coordinates the exchange of pertinent information with appropriate health care professionals within federal and state disclosure regulations.
• Assists in coordinating body composition assessments, interpreting data, and counseling athletes on achieving and maintaining values consistent with enhancing health and performance.
• Advises support personnel on menu planning and meal scheduling for pre-competition meals, hydration, catering, airline catering, hotels, and competition.
• Addresses nutritional challenges such as food allergies, bone mineral disturbances, gastrointestinal disturbances, iron depletion, iron deficiency anemia, vitamin D deficiency, gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, and diabetes.
• Facilitates cross-disciplinary collaboration by recommending referrals to relevant fields within the existing healthcare network.
• Educates student-athletes in food selection (e.g., grocery store shopping tours) and food preparation (e.g., cooking classes).
• Develops resources and learning opportunities to support educational efforts, such as print media, web-based media, and social media.
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of and remains current on NCAA, Big 12 Conference, University, and departmental rules and regulations.
• Adheres to principles stated in the Athletic Department’s Mission Statement and promotes loyalty to the mission among staff and student-athletes.

Schedule

This role works Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with additional hours required for practices and competitions. Weekend and holiday availability may also be needed, as this position travels with the football team.

Pay

The annual salary for this full-time position is $80,000–$90,000.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and retirement plans.
• Generous paid time off.
• Tuition assistance for you and your dependents.
• ECO Pass for local transit.
• Access to world-class outdoor recreation and additional perks through the CU Advantage program.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in clinical nutrition, food and nutrition, or related area.
• Registered dietitian via the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly America Dietetic Association).
• Three years of experience as a dietitian, including experience in sports nutrition and management.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in nutrition, exercise science, sports management, or related field.
• Board certified specialist in sports dietetics.
• Three years of experience leading a sports nutrition program in a Division I, NCAA, or professional sports program.
• Experience in administering a college sports nutrition program.