Director of Mental Health – Intercollegiate Athletics

Intercollegiate Athletics

The University of Missouri Department of Athletics is seeking a Director of Mental Health. This position serves as the department’s senior leader overseeing the delivery of comprehensive, high-performance mental health and wellbeing services for all student-athletes within Mizzou Athletics. This position will be responsible for developing and executing a strategic vision for mental health care that reflects the demands of elite collegiate athletics, emphasizing proactive wellbeing, crisis management, and peak performance support.

The Director will lead a multidisciplinary mental health team and work collaboratively with the Chief Medical Officer, Sports Medicine, Sports Performance, Nutrition, and Academic Support to promote a holistic model of care. This individual will ensure that services align with best practices, NCAA and SEC standards, and the department’s commitment to student-athlete welfare and competitive excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical Care and Case Management (40%)

• Provide direct clinical services to student-athletes, including psychological assessments, and treatment planning.
• Ensure timely and accurate documentation consistent with professional, legal, and university standards.
• Coordinate and oversee referral processes with campus and community mental health providers to ensure continuity and quality of care.
• Supervise and guide clinical staff and trainees providing mental health services within athletics.

Education, Prevention, and Performance Optimization (25%)

• Design and deliver education and prevention programs to build mental health literacy and resilience among student-athletes, coaches, and staff.
• Integrate performance psychology concepts to support mental preparation, focus, and recovery.
• Partner with coaches and support staff to develop team-based initiatives that promote positive mental health culture and early intervention.

Collaboration and Integration (20%)

• Serve as a core member of the Sports Medicine and Performance leadership team to align care across all areas of student-athlete health and performance.
• Lead case management discussions and participate in multidisciplinary meetings to address complex or high-acuity cases.
• Collaborate with campus mental health, medical, and wellness offices to ensure seamless integration of care and resources.

Administration, Compliance, and Leadership (10%)

• Develop, implement, and evaluate mental health policies, emergency response procedures, and best-practice protocols.
• Ensure compliance with NCAA, SEC, and institutional guidelines related to mental health and student-athlete wellbeing.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and professional development for the athletics mental health team.
• Manage program operations, including budgeting, staffing, and strategic planning initiatives.

Professional Development and Strategic Consultation (5%)

• Stay current with emerging research, legislation, and best practices in collegiate and sport-specific mental health.
• Advise the Chief Medical Officer, Director of Athletics, and senior leadership on policy development, staffing needs, and resource allocation to support student-athlete wellbeing.
Represent Mizzou Athletics in conference, NCAA, and national forums on mental health in sports.

Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm; Nights and Weekends and travel as required by schedule.

A Bachelor's degree in related/ relevant area or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Master's or Doctoral degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy or related field.

Must possess a license or be license eligible in the State of Missouri (i.e., licensed professional counselor, licensed clinical social worker, licensed psychologist, or related mental health counseling licensure.)

One year post licensure clinical experience required; 3-5 years of post licensure clinical experience preferred.

Salary Range: $78,000 - $83,000/year

Grade: GGS-MKT

University Title: Assistant Athletic Director

Internal applicants can determine their University Title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours’ drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County’s largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.