Job Summary:

The Director, Sport Performance & Wellness is responsible for leading and managing the newly formed area of Sport Performance & Wellness in RPI Athletics. The Director will serve as the strategic oversight of data collection and integration to best enhance the safety and performance of our student-athletes. With direct oversight of the Strength & Conditioning unit, the Director will advise coaches on how to utilize this data for programming and work closely with Athletic Training to ensure training cycles support the wellbeing of student-athletes. This position will design and implement strength and conditioning sessions for our Division I hockey programs.

Who we are:

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. Explore the RPI Forward plan. ↗︎

Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world. 

With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3 or more years as a head coach in the field of strength and conditioning or in a professional sport setting supporting the strength and conditioning development of athletes
• Working knowledge of the game of ice hockey
• Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certification and/or NSCA Certification

Relevant combinations of education, training and experience may be considered.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience or certification in sport-related nutrition
• Knowledge of strength training, speed, agility, flexibility, and cardiovascular conditioning
• Knowledge of NCAA regulations and guidelines
• Demonstrated ability to motivate high-performing student-athletes
• Ability to initiate, develop and maintain contacts appropriate to developing an effective strength and conditioning program
• Knowledge of sport-related data including Catapult, Velocity-Based Training, and other wearables
• Ability to convey a clear and concise message while communicating, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituents
• Ability to read, design and enforce safety procedures
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet established goals and objectives
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments

Representative Job Duties:

• Manage all aspects of sport-related data and wearable technology used across the athletic department. Ensure coaches, student-athletes, and staff (athletic training/strength and conditioning) are well trained in how to incorporate feedback from the data to design, adjust, and execute high-level training cycles that support student-athlete wellbeing. Present results of the data, as well as student-athlete performance and potential enhancements to programming, annually to the head coaches and director of athletics.
• Provide supervision, direction, and guidance to strength and conditioning staff, including recommendations related to best practices in athlete performance and recovery. Prepare guidelines for interns or others who are working in the strength and conditioning unit.
• Educate student-athletes on correct techniques of weightlifting, plyometrics, speed development drills, conditioning exercises, and agility movements. Design monthly sessions that educate strength and conditioning staff on industry trends. Ensure staff seek and complete necessary educational experiences to maintain certification(s).
• Assist with the coordination of wellness support for our Division I student-athletes in alignment with the NCAA Student-Athlete Core Guarantees, including education related to mental health, strength and conditioning, and nutrition. Collaborate with external partners to provide support in areas such as Sport Psychology or Sport Mental Performance. Work closely with Athletic Training staff to ensure an open line of communication between strength and conditioning staff in terms of rehabilitation and reinstatement of student-athletes in practice and competitions.
• Serve as a member of the Athletic Department Senior Staff, advising the strategic direction of the athletic department. Act as an advocate for student-athlete wellbeing and serve on campus committees supporting similar efforts. Maintain up-to-date manuals and SOPs for Strength and Conditioning, as well as Data Analytics or Use of Student-Athlete Performance Data.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the athletic department’s overall mission and operations.

Shift:

Primarily business hours; however, occasional evenings, weekends, and non-traditional hours are required based on student-athlete training needs, competition schedules, and departmental priorities.

Travel:

Driving:

Incidental driving possible, but not required

Starting Salary/Rate:

Expected hiring range: $80,000 - $85,000

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions:

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information:

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).