Assistant Director of Sports Nutrition

JOB SUMMARY

The Assistant Director will assist the Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Nutrition in providing nutrition services primarily to the University of Connecticut’s Football program while assisting with select Olympic Sports as assigned. This role will support the overall goals of the UConn Athletic Department and work as an integral member of an interdisciplinary sports performance team to provide student-athletes with the resources necessary to attain and maintain competitive excellence.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists the Director in the leadership of a comprehensive nutrition program (e.g., food service, education, and counseling).

• Assists the Director in the development of short and long-term strategic department plans and manages budget and financial responsibilities. Manages assigned staff and student workers.

• Leads the development, implementation, and maintenance of effective nutrition, meal, and hydration plans and initiatives based on team and athlete needs. Monitors and evaluates athlete nutrition status, reports on relevant metrics as required, and consistently makes improvements to plans.

• Develops and delivers nutrition education presentations, demonstrations, events, and resources to support educational efforts.

• Supports student-specific nutrition assessment, counseling, and education (e.g., weight management) and/or to address nutritional challenges to performance (e.g., recovery, immunity, disordered eating), coordinating care with internal and external interdisciplinary units as required.

• Serves as an expert nutritional resource for student-athletes, coaches, and staff. Fosters effective and consistent communication with all relevant parties critical to supporting student-athlete welfare.

• As delegated by the Director, works closely with the campus food service staff to provide sound nutritional meals specific to the goals of individual student-athletes and teams.

• Develop, revise, and maintain a thorough understanding of all departmental and university policies and procedures, as well as applicable government and industry standards, and ensure adherence to them.

• Maintains currency on the latest sports nutrition products and trends by reading trade publications, attending seminars and trade shows, and developing and maintaining vendor contacts.

• Provide appropriate leadership to staff and coaches regarding advising student-athletes on nutritional supplements.

• Develops and leads the department with evidence-based directives regarding measuring body composition, hydration testing, and other areas of applied nutrition science.

• Lead, supervise and direct education in the form of, but not limited to, grocery store tours, cooking demonstrations, and printed/electronic infographic materials.

• Assists with on-campus recruiting efforts for prospective student-athletes.

• Manage the travel nutrition needs for assigned sports, including but not limited to snack bags, performance menus, pre-game/halftime snacks, and post-game meals.

• Assist with the recruitment, training, and supervision of student workers and interns.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in nutrition, dietetics, or a related field.

• One to three years of experience working with the nutritional needs of athletes.

• Registered Dietitian - RD with active registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

• Knowledge of sports nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, and motivational interviewing.

• Excellent time and priority management, organizational, and record-keeping skills.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to interact with a wide variety of individuals within a diverse environment.

• Strong interpersonal skills, presentation, and counseling skills.

• Ability to uphold the core values of the athletics department in all aspects of work and operate in an ethical manner.

• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and complete tasks with minimal direction.

• Ability to be innovative with nutritional strategies and programming.

• Ability to comply with disclosure regulations relative to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in nutrition, exercise physiology, or a related field.

• Three+ years of experience working with the nutritional needs of athletes.

• Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) or eligible to sit for the exam.

• Experience supporting a Division 1 collegiate football program.

• Student-athlete development philosophies consistent with that of the Division of Athletics and its football program.