Assistant Director for Student-Athlete Professional Success

Job Description:

Brown University Athletics and Recreation is seeking a forward-thinking, relationship-driven professional to serve as the Assistant Director for Student-Athlete Professional Success.

As a proud member of the Ivy League, Brown Athletics and Recreation supports 34 varsity programs and over 1,000 student-athletes competing at the NCAA Division I level. This position offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact in shaping the future success of Brown’s exceptional student-athletes—on and off the field.

The Assistant Director will lead BrownSPARK, a signature initiative that connects Brown student-athletes with alumni mentors for immersive, project-based professional experiences. By leveraging the power of Brown’s global alumni network, SPARK provides student-athletes with invaluable career exposure, mentorship, and professional development opportunities that ignite their personal and professional growth.

Reporting to the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance, the Assistant Director serves as the program manager and strategic driver behind BrownSPARK, ensuring its operations align with University policies, NCAA regulations, and departmental goals. The position also plays a key role in advancing holistic student-athlete development, fostering career readiness and lifelong connections.

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic professional who thrives at the intersection of athletics, education, and professional development—and who is passionate about empowering student-athletes to realize their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, design, and execute the strategic vision and operations of BrownSPARK to deliver high-impact, career-focused experiences for student-athletes.

• Cultivate and sustain relationships with alumni mentors, industry leaders, and campus partners to expand professional opportunities.

• Coach and empower student-athletes to navigate their career journeys with purpose and confidence.

• Ensure program compliance with NCAA and University policies, supporting related monitoring functions (CARA, recruiting logs, visits, etc.).

• Evaluate and report program outcomes, using data to inform growth, sustainability, and innovation.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• 3–5 years of progressive experience in program management, athletics administration, student development, alumni relations, or a related field.

• Proven success in coordinating complex initiatives and engaging multiple stakeholders.

• Familiarity with NCAA compliance standards and student-athlete development practices.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional project management and organizational abilities with strong attention to detail.

• Excellent relationship-builder with the ability to collaborate across diverse audiences.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presentation and facilitation.

• Understanding of Ivy League and NCAA governance as it pertains to student-athlete programming.

Additional Information

 

All division employees are required to demonstrate exemplary ethical conduct and conformance to NCAA rules and regulations; the duties of the position are to be performed in compliance with all NCAA, Ivy League rules and regulations; and any rules violations on behalf of themselves or any knowledge of violations within the division are to be reported to the compliance office and appropriate parties.

Employees in coaching positions must receive annual rules education on NCAA legislation related to recruiting by the compliance office and maintain current AED/CPR and First Aid certification (certification is available at no cost through the Division).

This is a fixed-term position funded through designated resources and subject to annual review for continuation based on performance, program needs, and funding availability.

Background Check – Criminal, Education, MVR

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown.

 

Benefits of Working at Brown:

Information on the Benefits of Working at Brown can be found here.

Recruiting Start Date:

2025-10-31

Job Posting Title:

Assistant Director for Student-Athlete Professional Success

Department:

Athletics and Recreation

Grade:

Grade 9

Worker Type:

Employee

Worker Sub-Type:

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

Position Work Location:

Onsite

 

Submission Guidelines:

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact employment@brown.edu.

EEO Statement:

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.