Cal Football Director of Player Development (4517U), Intercollegiate Athletics #87570

About the role

The Director of Player Development for Football provides visionary leadership centered on the comprehensive advancement of student-athletes, emphasizing academic excellence and personal growth while overseeing seamless entry and continued engagement.

Responsibilities

• Oversight of new student-athlete integration and student-athlete experience - 5%
• New Student-Athlete Integration & Orientation
• Develop and execute comprehensive onboarding processes for all new football student-athletes (high school, transfers).
• Communicate the program’s developmental philosophy to incoming student-athletes and families.
• Liaison to 1st year seminar.
• Facilitate initial integration and connection to Cameron Institute pillars.
• Support completion of key Cameron Institute action items.
• Coordinate with Academic Advisors and Learning Specialists to ensure new students access appropriate academic resources.
• Participate in new student orientations and academic team meetings during first semester.
• Monitor early academic and social integration indicators; identify and address barriers to success.
• Primary oversight of academic support, planning, and student success initiatives - 40%
• Serve as a co-architect of Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) in joint partnership with the Football Academic Coordinator to define, implement, and iterate on academic strategies, ensuring shared accountability for student-athlete outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Football Academic Coordinator to evaluate and categorize student-athletes based on academic profiles and performance while co-maintaining detailed academic portfolios.
• Review and adjust academic programming in tandem with the Football Academic Coordinator to respond to student progress and evolving needs.
• Academic Support Coordination - 35%
• Partner with the Football Academic Coordinator to lead coordination with Athletic Study Center (ASC) Academic Advisors, Learning Specialists, and Assistant Directors for comprehensive academic support services.
• Co-develop and implement study groups and structured academic support programming tailored to football student-athlete needs alongside the Football Academic Coordinator.
• Coordinate and facilitate specialized programs, including intensive workshops and customized interventions, in close alignment with the Football Academic Coordinator.
• Monitor academic performance trends jointly with the Football Academic Coordinator to adjust support strategies proactively.
• Academic Communication & Stakeholder Management - 5%
• Conduct regular academic team meetings with football student-athletes in co-leadership with the Football Academic Coordinator.
• Jointly communicate essential academic information, deadlines, and policies to student-athletes, coaches, and support staff with the Football Academic Coordinator.
• Attend weekly coaches’ and academic staff meetings as a unified partnership; represent ASC in monthly compliance meetings alongside the Football Academic Coordinator.
• Maintain shared responsibility for keeping all stakeholders apprised of critical issues and academic deadlines.
• Academic Problem-Solving & Support - 5%
• Troubleshoot and resolve student-athlete issues involving faculty and campus constituents in collaboration with the Football Academic Coordinator.
• Collaborate with institutional partners and the Football Academic Coordinator to address and remove barriers to academic success.
• Coordinate grade appeals and academic probation support as a shared initiative with the Football Academic Coordinator.
• Leadership of professional development, career exploration, and community impact initiatives - 30%
• Facilitate networking opportunities for football student-athletes with Cameron Institute Career Advisor support.
• Supports placement and referral of student-athletes into internship opportunities, career treks, the Career Readiness Seminar, Mentorship Program, and 1:1 Career Advising as needed.
• Bridge to career services that help with long-term goal planning and career pathway development.
• Collaborate with career services and alumni engagement partners to expand professional development opportunities.
• Provides coaching for resume development, interview preparation, and professional skill-building.
• Ensures completion of year-over-year career milestones.
• Leads Football Career Programming efforts housed in Football.
• Support and liaison to the Education Community engagement course and Community Engagement opportunities through the Cameron Institute.
• Supports the delivery of Cameron Institute core community engagement initiatives within football program.
• Provide support for Golden Buddies, Cal Athletics Reading Challenge, and other community-focused events.
• Work with Cameron Institute to develop, design, and deliver player-driven community partnerships and engagement opportunities.
• Empower student-athletes to lead and facilitate community engagement activities.
• Track participation, impact metrics, and student feedback on community initiatives.
• Representation and student experience advocacy during recruitment and retention efforts - 5%
• Assist in recruiting new student-athletes to campus, serving as a representative of the University and Athletic Department.
• Meet prospective student-athletes and their families to demonstrate program culture and support systems and participate in recruiting events and official visits.
• Communicate the comprehensive student-athlete support experience available through academics, career development, and community engagement.
• Help identify factors impacting retention and student satisfaction within the football program and provide feedback to coaching staff and Athletic Department on student-athlete experience and program improvements.
• Address student concerns and dissatisfaction proactively and participate in retention initiatives and program improvement efforts.
• Cross-functional responsibilities - 5%
• Activities supporting multiple role allocations.
• Coordinate, plan, and implement new and customized programs and services that respond to changing needs of football student-athletes.
• Participate in annual events, specialized programs, and ad hoc committee work.
• Maintain regular communication with coaching staff regarding student-athlete progress, concerns, and opportunities.
• Contribute to data collection and reporting on student-athlete outcomes (academic, career, community engagement).
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external partners (Academic Support, Career Services, Cameron Institute, Compliance, Faculty).
• Management and supervision of staff - 15%
• Have direct managerial responsibility for two or more employees that directly support the academic and career readiness of football student-athletes.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide feedback, coach, train and guide their professional development.
• Engage with employees in their work, providing support and prioritizations.
• Assist in problem solving when required.

Qualifications

• Strong ability to create academic plans, monitor progress, stress the importance of core Academic principles, and institute time management best practices.
• Strong ability to support academically-challenged students.
• Quickly identifying issues, and putting together a plan for academic recovery.
• Advanced knowledge of career development theories, adult development theory, counseling processes, career coaching techniques, career decision making, learning styles, and job search techniques.
• Advanced knowledge of needs assessment theory, processes, and practice; workshop and program design.
• Advanced knowledge of and/or ability to learn UC programs, career services, employer, alumni, and faculty needs and expectations, recruiting and staffing methods, employment trends.
• Strong ability to design and modify computer applications to meet program needs, problem identification, presentation skills, verbal communication, written communication, and organization skills.
• Strong ability to work with people from diverse cultures.

Education/Training

• Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.