The assistant director, Student-Athlete Development & Letterwinner Engagement will support the mission of the Athletic Department's SOAR program which is designed to empower and equip student-athletes with the training they need to thrive within and beyond the hedges. Supporting student-athletes' transitions in, through, and beyond Rice University while providing greater access to campus and community resources, the assistant director will collaborate with alumni, campus, corporate, and community resources to provide student-athletes with opportunities for personal growth and professional preparation. This position will serve as a point of contact for the R Association to lead both R Association events and mentorship programming. This position will help to cultivate and steward relationships with and among letterwinners to facilitate meaningful connections with the athletic department and current student-athletes. This position will leverage relationships with Rice students, staff, recruiters, and beyond to promote opportunities for Rice student-athletes such as internships and full time positions, externships, and mentoring opportunities. This position will manage recruiting programs, including, but not limited to, campus interview schedules, job posting and company information sessions, and experiential learning opportunities. This role will also be responsible for using reporting metrics and data to assess the effectiveness of employer relations goals and activities, as well as alumni engagement activities. This position will be key in developing effective strategies ensuring that Rice student-athletes are positioned to prosper, and that Owl alumni are equipped to soar.
Essential Functions
Supports department and area mission vision and goals
Responsible for program logistics and execution of the annual personal growth and professional preparation events
Develops, plans and implements programming and outreach for development of personal and professional growth programs, communicating opportunities with student-athletes, coaches, and relevant staff
Assists in student-athlete leadership development through SAAC, PWAA, and other leadership groups
Responsible for logistics and marketing related to area(s) of responsibility
Tracks progress using data reports and metrics, developing new outreach/training approaches as needed
May supervise student staff/interns as necessary
Maintains Preferred Employer Program, organizing externship, internship, and full-time job listings, detailed employer information, recruiting activities and reports for a wide range of industries
Actively recruits and engages alumni, preferred employer partners, mentors, and other stakeholders in the SOAR Network to support personal and professional growth programs, internships and full time positions, externships, and mentoring opportunities benefiting current student-athletes
Oversees Student-Athlete Mentor Program, supporting the growth and development of current student-athletes' personal, social, professional, and athletic identities
Develops strategic plan to increase the number and variety of alumni engagements, and the number of students who participate in alumni programs and mentoring
Closely partners with Development and Alumni Relations to facilitate and supplement programs
Plans and manages events and programming designed to connect current students with alumni
Consults with recruiters to discuss recruiting objectives and strategies, in alignment with University and leading EEO/DEI policies and practices
Assists with developing and maintaining systems and communication channels, including but not limited to: databases, career networking systems, websites, social media, and newsletters
Performs all other duties as assigned
Education, Experience, and Licenses/Certifications Requirements
Bachelor's degree
One year experience in student-athlete development, donor engagement and/or alumni relations in a college/university athletics environment
Experience in college/university career services environment
Must possess (or have the ability to obtain within thirty days of hire) and maintain a valid Texas driver's license and have no more than three moving violations and/or at fault accidents within the past three years. Must not have any DUIs or DWIs within the past five years
Substitutions
Additional education on a year by year basis may be used as a substitute for experience requirement
Skills Required
A commitment to diversity and inclusion
Excellent communication skills, including written, oral, and visual
Advising high - level student leaders in 1 - 1 setting
Ability to apply student development and learning outcomes theories
Ability to manage events and programs
Ability to instruct students in risk management and program planning
Verbal and written communication skills.
Data analysis skills
Preferences
Master's degree
Experience in donor engagement and/or alumni relations in a college/university athletics environment
Experience in college/university career services environment
Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.
Current Rice University COVID policies, which include vaccination, face mask, testing, gatherings, occupancy limits, and travel policies can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies