Assistant Director of Sports Nutrition (HR Title: Sports Nutritionist II) - (ATH00000494)

Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Assistant Director of Sports Nutrition plays a vital role in assisting with the development of the overall nutrition plan for SMU student-athletes for all sports except football. This role supports 300+ student-athletes in the sports of men's basketball, women's basketball, cross country, indoor track, outdoor track, men's golf, women's golf, men's soccer, women's soccer, equestrian, rowing, men's swimming and diving, women's swimming and diving, men's tennis, women's tennis and volleyball.

The Assistant Director will work closely with the Director of Olympic Sports Nutrition, the Sports Medicine Staff and the Strength and Conditioning Staff in supporting the athletic and nutritional goals of coaches and student-athletes. Within this collaborative Health and Wellness group, they will work to advance the overall objective of meeting the sports performance goals of all of the departments' intercollegiate athletic teams.

Essential Functions:

• Provides nutrition screening, intervention, and follow-up to student-athletes on an individual and team basis to ensure comprehensive nutrition care. This includes, but is not limited to, individual nutrition counseling and team education on nutrient timing, hydration, food allergies, disordered eating, nutrient deficiencies, dietary supplements, body composition, and injury recovery.
   

• Provides support for the Flanagan Family Training Table for all student-athletes while maintaining fueling resources across all facilities and for sport program competitions. Oversees all aspects of nutritional supplies within the Loyd Fueling Station and associated satellite fueling stations.
   

• Communication: Maintains communication with coaching staff, administrative staff and groups (e.g., Sport Care Teams) relative to student-athlete nutrition and performance concerns. Maintains appropriate communication with Health and Wellness staff and team physicians using electronic medical records system and following documentation practices laid out by the Academy of Nutrition Dietetics.
   

• Recruiting: Provides oversight and support for development of and presentation of educational information in support of student-athlete and parent(s) on-campus recruiting visits for sport programs.
   

• Compliance: Maintains working knowledge of and adherence to all NCAA, ACC Conference, and institutional rules and regulations. Expects immediate communication of any possible infractions of such rules and regulations to the Athletics Compliance staff. Maintains current credentials and license as directed by the State of Texas and the Commission on Dietetic Registration. 
   

• Regular evening and weekend work is required for practices and home competitions.
   

• Occasional travel is required with teams for competitions.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in Nutrition, Dietetics, or a related field from an ACEND-accredited program. Master's preferred. 

A minimum of two (2) years of experience working with athletic populations, including collegiate or professional athletes is required. 

Experience in nutrition counseling with special populations, including but not limited to disordered eating, eating disorders, food allergies, nutrient deficiencies, body composition, and injury-related nutrition is also required.

Must be a Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) through the Commission on Dietetic Registration and have active licensure in the State of Texas (required upon hire). 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. A strong customer orientation is essential.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills. Strong project management skills and a focus on attention to detail are essential.  

Candidate must have knowledge of NCAA, ACC and University rules and regulations. Must have the ability to make sound judgments independently and as a team member. The ability to instruct, counsel, and direct student-athletes is essential.

Candidate must be able to collaborate with coaches, mental health services, sports medicine, and food services. Must also demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to the nutritional needs, as well as the athletic and social pressures, faced by student-athletes at the collegiate level.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

• Bend, squat, stand, climb, kneel

• Reach above shoulders

• Handle objects

• Carry 25 lbs.

Deadline to Apply:

The position is open until filled. 

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by July 27, 2026.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.