Assistant Athletics Director, Student-Athlete Development (5173U), Intercollegiate Athletics - #83233

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics consists of more than 300 staff members and coaches and sponsors 30 varsity sports programs. These 30 programs include more than 900 student-athletes who participate in the various sports programs annually within the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA).

Position Summary

The Assistant Athletics Director, Student-Athlete Development leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive student-athlete development programs within the Cameron Institute. This position provides leadership and management to both the Career Development (CD) and Community Engagement (CE) pillars-ensuring high-quality curricular, experiential, and individualized support that prepares California student-athletes for holistic success during and beyond their competitive careers.

This role provides strategic leadership for key student-athlete experience initiatives, including the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), new student-athlete orientation, large-scale community engagement events, career readiness programming, and unit-wide communications. As a core member of the Cameron Institute Executive Leadership Team, the incumbent contributes to strategic planning, budget processes, donor and advisory board preparation, and Institute-wide operations.

The position also manages direct reports within the Student-Athlete Development unit and maintains occasional direct service responsibilities, including career advising and recruiting presentations. This position exists to elevate the student-athlete experience at Cal by ensuring systems, staff, programs, and partnerships operate in alignment with best practices and the mission of the Cameron Institute.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 01/19/2026.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a thought partner to the Career Development (CD) and Community Engagement (CE) pillars, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and student-athlete needs.
• Provides leadership and management to direct reports and the Student-Athlete Development unit, including end-to-end HR responsibilities, coaching, professional development, and workload alignment. Contributes to the Cameron Institute Executive Leadership Team.
• Provides direct service in key areas: including career readiness, and recruiting presentations for prospective student-athletes and families.
• Delivers ongoing recruiting presentations and serves as a Cameron Institute ambassador to prospective student-athletes and families, ensuring accurate communication of Institute philosophy, programming, and expectations.
• Supports Cameron Institute administrative direction including strategic planning, advisory board preparation, donor engagement materials, budget processes, and internal communications.
• Oversees core student-athlete experience functions including SAAC, community partnerships, unit communications (website, social media, collateral), awards and nominations, and operational processes. Services as Cal's ACC representative for Student-Athlete Development.
• Other duties as assigned, including professional development and contributions to cross-unit initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of and/or can quickly learn program activity and best practices.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and effective listener skills.
• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills in the English language.
• Proficiency in the use of basic computer applications relevant to job duties.
• Experience designing, delivering, and assessing educational programs.
• Strong leadership and management skills, including mentoring, coaching, and change management.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work with student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, and campus partners.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously. Strong analytical and assessment skills, including using data to shape decision-making.
• Ability to navigate sensitive situations with professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that promotes collaboration and mutual respect among all members of the UC Berkeley community and its stakeholders.
• Knowledge of service delivery principles, advising models, and student support best practices.
• 3-5 years of leadership experience in student-athlete development, higher education leadership, or related fields.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $125,000.00 - $150,000.00.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Mandated Reporter

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

This job is part of the Employee Referral Program. If a UC Berkeley employee is referring you, please ensure you select the Referral Source of "UCB Employee". Then enter the Employee's Name and Berkeley E-mail address in the Specific Referral Source field. Please enter only one name and email.