Cal Football Director of Player Development (4517U), Intercollegiate Athletics #87570

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Departmental Overview

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics consists of more than 275 staff members and coaches and sponsors 30 varsity sports programs. These 30 programs include more than 850 student-athletes who participate in the various sports programs annually within the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA).

Position Summary

The Director of Player Development for Football provides visionary leadership centered on the comprehensive advancement of student-athletes, emphasizing academic excellence and personal growth while overseeing seamless entry and continued engagement. At the heart of this position is ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT COORDINATION (50%), executed through a deep partnership with the Football Academic Coordinator. Functioning as a cohesive unit, this pair co-architects Individual Learning Plans (ILPs), maintains academic portfolios, and monitors performance trends together. The role involves working closely with Athletic Study Center (ASC) staff to design tailored study groups and proactive interventions. As a vital communication link, the Director aligns student-athletes and coaching staff through regular meetings and compliance reviews while navigating campus hurdles to resolve academic challenges. To establish a firm start, the Director oversees ONBOARDING MANAGEMENT (5%), developing integration and orientation protocols for high school prospects and transfer students. This work involves connecting new athletes to first-year seminars and mapping academic resources to identify and remove early barriers to student success.

Beyond academic oversight, the position manages professional readiness, roster stability, and program-wide collaboration. Through CAMERON INSTITUTE CAREER & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (35%), the Director establishes frameworks to monitor career trajectories, facilitates networking, and secures internship placements. This includes leading specialized football career programming and managing community-focused initiatives like the Cal Athletics Reading Challenge. The role also embeds resilience and performance training within the team's developmental philosophy. For RECRUITMENT & RETENTION SUPPORT (5%), the Director represents the University during official visits to articulate support systems to families, while simultaneously addressing student satisfaction to manage retention. Finally, CROSS-FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES (5%) require the Director to implement customized services that adapt to changing athlete needs, providing consistent progress updates to coaches and reporting on holistic outcomes alongside partners in Compliance and Career Services.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is July 30, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Oversight of new student-athlete integration and student-athlete experience - 5%

New Student-Athlete Integration & Orientation

• Develop and execute comprehensive onboarding processes for all new football student-athletes (high school, transfers).
• Communicate the program's developmental philosophy to incoming student-athletes and families.
• Liaison to 1st year seminar.
• Facilitate initial integration and connection to Cameron Institute pillars.
• Support completion of key Cameron Institute action items.
• Coordinate with Academic Advisors and Learning Specialists to ensure new students access appropriate academic resources.
• Participate in new student orientations and academic team meetings during first semester.
• Monitor early academic and social integration indicators; identify and address barriers to success.

Primary oversight of academic support, planning, and student success initiatives - 40%

• Primary oversight of academic support, planning, and student success initiatives
• Serve as a co-architect of Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) in joint partnership with the Football Academic Coordinator to define, implement, and iterate on academic strategies, ensuring shared accountability for student-athlete outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Football Academic Coordinator to evaluate and categorize student-athletes based on academic profiles and performance while co-maintaining detailed academic portfolios.
• Review and adjust academic programming in tandem with the Football Academic Coordinator to respond to student progress and evolving needs.

Academic Support Coordination

• Partner with the Football Academic Coordinator to lead coordination with Athletic Study Center (ASC) Academic Advisors, Learning Specialists, and Assistant Directors for comprehensive academic support services.
• Co-develop and implement study groups and structured academic support programming tailored to football student-athlete needs alongside the Football Academic Coordinator.
• Coordinate and facilitate specialized programs, including intensive workshops and customized interventions, in close alignment with the Football Academic Coordinator.
• Monitor academic performance trends jointly with the Football Academic Coordinator to adjust support strategies proactively.

Academic Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Conduct regular academic team meetings with football student-athletes in co-leadership with the Football Academic Coordinator.
• Jointly communicate essential academic information, deadlines, and policies to student-athletes, coaches, and support staff with the Football Academic Coordinator.
• Attend weekly coaches' and academic staff meetings as a unified partnership; represent ASC in monthly compliance meetings alongside the Football Academic Coordinator.
• Maintain shared responsibility for keeping all stakeholders apprised of critical issues and academic deadlines.

Academic Problem-Solving & Support

• Troubleshoot and resolve student-athlete issues involving faculty and campus constituents in collaboration with the Football Academic Coordinator.
• Serve as joint advocates and liaisons for student-athletes facing academic challenges alongside the Football Academic Coordinator.
• Collaborate with institutional partners and the Football Academic Coordinator to address and remove barriers to academic success.
• Coordinate grade appeals and academic probation support as a shared initiative with the Football Academic Coordinator.

Leadership of professional development, career exploration, and community impact initiatives - 30%

Professional Development & Career Exploration

• Facilitate networking opportunities for football student-athletes with Cameron Institute Career Advisor support.
• Supports placement and referral of student-athletes into internship opportunities, career treks, the Career Readiness Seminar, Mentorship Program, and 1:1 Career Advising as needed.
• Bridge to career services that help with long-term goal planning and career pathway development.
• Collaborate with career services and alumni engagement partners to expand professional development opportunities.
• Provides coaching for resume development, interview preparation, and professional skill-building.
• Ensures completion of year-over-year career milestones.
• Leads Football Career Programming efforts housed in Football.

Community Engagement & Program Leadership

• Support and liaison to the Education Community engagement course and Community Engagement opportunities through the Cameron Institute.
• Supports the delivery of Cameron Institute core community engagement initiatives within football program.
• Provide support for Golden Buddies, Cal Athletics Reading Challenge, and other community-focused events.
• Work with Cameron Institute to develop, design, and deliver player-driven community partnerships and engagement opportunities.
• Empower student-athletes to lead and facilitate community engagement activities.
• Track participation, impact metrics, and student feedback on community initiatives.

Representation and student experience advocacy during recruitment and retention efforts - 5%

• Assist in recruiting new student-athletes to campus, serving as a representative of the University and Athletic Department.
• Meet prospective student-athletes and their families to demonstrate program culture and support systems and participate in recruiting events and official visits.
• Communicate the comprehensive student-athlete support experience available through academics, career development, and community engagement.
• Help identify factors impacting retention and student satisfaction within the football program and provide feedback to coaching staff and Athletic Department on student-athlete experience and program improvements.
• Address student concerns and dissatisfaction proactively and participate in retention initiatives and program improvement efforts.

Cross-functional responsibilities - 5%

• Activities supporting multiple role allocations.
• Coordinate, plan, and implement new and customized programs and services that respond to changing needs of football student-athletes.
• Participate in annual events, specialized programs, and ad hoc committee work.
• Maintain regular communication with coaching staff regarding student-athlete progress, concerns, and opportunities.
• Contribute to data collection and reporting on student-athlete outcomes (academic, career, community engagement).
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external partners (Academic Support, Career Services, Cameron Institute, Compliance, Faculty).

Management and supervision of staff - 15%

• Have direct managerial responsibility for two or more employees that directly support the academic and career readiness of football student-athletes.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide feedback, coach, train and guide their professional development.
• Engage with employees in their work, providing support and prioritizations. Assist in problem solving when required.

Required Qualifications

• Strong ability to create academic plans, monitor progress, stress the importance of core Academic principles, and institute time management best practices.
• Strong ability to support academically-challenged students. Quickly identifying issues, and putting together a plan for academic recovery.
• Advanced knowledge of career development theories, adult development theory, counseling processes, career coaching techniques, career decision making, learning styles, and job search techniques.
• Advanced knowledge of needs assessment theory, processes, and practice; workshop and program design.
• Advanced knowledge of and/or ability to learn UC programs, career services, employer, alumni, and faculty needs and expectations, recruiting and staffing methods, employment trends.
• Strong ability to design and modify computer applications to meet program needs, problem identification, presentation skills, verbal communication, written communication, and organization skills.
• Strong ability to work with people from diverse cultures.

Education/Training

• Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. (Required)

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 range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $82,800.00 - $149,800.00.

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

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Driving Required

Required to hold a valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

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

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.