What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director, Student-Athlete Professional Development position at Dartmouth College?
Position Purpose
The Associate Director, Student‑Athlete Professional Development supports the design and implementation of a career‑development strategy tailored to the unique needs of Dartmouth’s varsity student‑athletes. Reporting to the Director, External Partnerships & Special Projects, this role coordinates career programming within Dartmouth Peak Performance (DP2), cultivates alumni and employer relationships, and serves as a subject‑matter resource for DCCD’s sports‑and‑recreation career track. The Associate Director works collaboratively across campus units, leveraging existing career resources while developing targeted initiatives that align with the career‑development process for student‑athletes.
Description
DP2 Career Development – Dartmouth College Athletics
DP2 Career Development is focused on maximizing programming and services to help Dartmouth student-athletes access career education, skills, connections, and internship and job placement opportunities.
Dartmouth Athletics & Recreation works closely with Center for Career Design (CCD), which supports all Dartmouth undergraduates in exploring career interests, identifying strengths and opportunities, applying for jobs and internships, preparing for interviews, and learning about the professional world. Working collaboratively with employers, alumni, faculty, parents, and other colleagues – all of whom help educate students about the ever-changing world of work.
Joe Hayes, Director External Partnerships & Special Projectswithin the Dartmouth Center for Career Designleads strategy for employer, alumni, and family supporter engagement. With nearly 20 years of experience spanning consulting and career education.
Behind every Big Green victory: The 31-person support system for Dartmouth athletics – The Dartmouth
DP2’s mission extends beyond immediate athletic performance—the program uses sport as a vehicle to develop leaders for life.
DP2 Career Development is focused on maximizing programming and services to help Dartmouth student-athletes access career education, skills, connections, and internship and job placement opportunities.
Dartmouth Athletics & Recreation works closely with Center for Career Design (CCD), which supports all Dartmouth undergraduates in exploring career interests, identifying strengths and opportunities, applying for jobs and internships, preparing for interviews, and learning about the professional world. Working collaboratively with employers, alumni, faculty, parents, and other colleagues – all of whom help educate students about the ever-changing world of work.
Joe Hayes, Director External Partnerships & Special Projectswithin the Dartmouth Center for Career Designleads strategy for employer, alumni, and family supporter engagement. With nearly 20 years of experience spanning consulting and career education.
Behind every Big Green victory: The 31-person support system for Dartmouth athletics – The Dartmouth
DP2’s mission extends beyond immediate athletic performance—the program uses sport as a vehicle to develop leaders for life.
Austin Driggers, Spaht Family Executive Assoc AD for Peak Performance: “The purpose of athletics at Dartmouth and other Ivy League institutions is to enhance the learning and the growth and development of our student athletes."
Lyndsay Ostler, Senior Assoc AD for Student-Athlete Development assists the coaches with the recruitment process in evaluating student-athletes’ academics and navigating the admissions application process and deadlines while providing strategic leadership to Academic Support and Career Development.
Lyndsay Ostler, Senior Assoc AD for Student-Athlete Development assists the coaches with the recruitment process in evaluating student-athletes’ academics and navigating the admissions application process and deadlines while providing strategic leadership to Academic Support and Career Development.
Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp
Bachelors plus 3-5 years' experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
- Bachelor’s degree in career development, student affairs, sports management, business, or a related field and three to five years of relevant experience (career services, student‑athlete support, employer relations, or equivalent).
- Demonstrated experience in career development, coaching, or advising, preferably with student‑athletes or within higher education.
- Proven ability to support the development and implementation of career‑related programming, including networking events, employer‑engagement initiatives, and career‑readiness workshops.
- Strong relationship‑building skills with experience cultivating partnerships with employers, alumni, and external stakeholders.
- Knowledge of career pathways in the sports and recreation industries and the ability to guide students interested in these fields.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills; ability to engage effectively with students, faculty, staff, and external partners.
- Ability to assess program effectiveness and utilize data to inform decision‑making and enhance student outcomes.
- Understanding of the unique career‑development needs of varsity student‑athletes and familiarity with NCAA regulations as they pertain to career and professional development.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple departments and initiatives.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with an understanding of how to support diverse student populations in career development.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in higher education, career development, sports management, business, or a related field.
- Experience working in career services within a college or university setting, particularly with student‑athletes.
- Knowledge of employer‑engagement strategies and experience building partnerships that create career opportunities.
- Familiarity with career‑assessment tools (e.g., CliftonStrengths, MBTI) to support student career exploration.
- Experience developing and managing mentorship or alumni networking programs at the program/project level.
- Knowledge of NCAA compliance regulations related to student‑athlete professional development and career opportunities.
- Understanding of design‑thinking or life‑design methodologies and their application to career coaching and advising.
- Proficiency with career‑management platforms (Handshake, LinkedIn, PeopleGrove) and other digital tools used in career services.
- Experience facilitating workshops, trainings, or presentations for diverse audiences, including students, employers, and faculty.
Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries
Mariruth Graham
Department Contact Phone Number
mariruth@dartmouth.edu
Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title
Joe Hayes, Director External Partnerships & Special Projects
Department Contact's Phone Number
Joseph.S.Hayes@dartmouth.edu
Equal Opportunity Employer
Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.
Background Check
Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?
Preferred, but not required
Special Instructions to Applicants
Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy
Additional Instructions
Consider uploading a list of references, letter of recommendation, work product under Additional Documents.
Key Accountabilities
Description
Assist in developing and delivering career‑ & life‑design programming for varsity student‑athletes, ensuring alignment with the career discernment process, networking opportunities, and experiential‑learning initiatives
Percentage Of Time
25
Description
Support the expansion of the Big Green athletic career network by managing specific outreach projects, cultivating relationships with alumni, employers, and industry professionals, and helping to broaden career opportunities for student‑athletes
Percentage Of Time
25
Description
Act as a subject‑matter resource for DCCD’s sports‑and‑recreation career track, creating specialized resources, programs, and advising opportunities for students and alumni under the guidance of the Director
Percentage Of Time
15
Description
Partner with DCCD, DP2, and other campus partners to integrate existing career‑development resources while tailoring initiatives for student‑athletes; propose enhancements to senior leadership
Percentage Of Time
15
Description
Gather and report program effectiveness data, preparing concise summaries for the Director and other key stakeholders
Percentage Of Time
10
Description
Coordinate career‑related events, employer‑engagement initiatives, and networking opportunities, overseeing logistics and student‑assistant support to ensure high‑impact connections for student‑athletes
Percentage Of Time
10
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Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.
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Performs other duties as assigned.