DIRECTOR OF STUDENT-ATHLETE ACADEMIC SERVICES

Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS) is committed to empowering student-athletes to take charge of their education and life by providing the tools and resources necessary to thrive at the University of Denver. We encourage student-athletes to capitalize upon collegiate and athletic experiences as they become holistic persons. SAAS reports to the Provost as a part of the Office of Student Success within Academic Affairs, and maintains strong and integral connections with the Department of Athletics to collaboratively support student-athletes.

Housed within Academic Affairs, the Office of Student Success promotes academic excellence, engagement, and student thriving by empowering students to make the most of their experience at the University of Denver. Academic Affairs collaborates with the schools, divisions, academic departments, the faculty, and student life to develop programs, curricula, and experiences that support, inspire, and challenge students. Our Student Success work is defined by our mission to advance a university-wide culture of holistic student thriving.
As an educational and research community, DU values curiosity, intellectual freedom, and open communication. DU respects individual differences and embraces civil discourse. DU promotes caring and close individual attention. DU is a community distinguished by inclusiveness, collaboration, responsiveness, and accountability. As such, we are committed to enhancing the diversity of our faculty and staff. The University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Position Summary

The Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services oversees the strategy, operations, and functions of Student-Athlete Academic Services including academic support for student-athletes, academic advising, and related programs that connect academics, career preparation, and leadership development. Reporting to the Assistant Vice Provost for Student Success and partnering closely with colleagues in Athletics and other key areas of the University, the Director provides leadership in support the student-athlete experience, gives voice to student-athletes in support of their academic success, and oversees academic support and programming. In collaboration with the AVPSS, the Director develops, interprets, and implements policies related to academic matters as guided by university, conference, and NCAA mandates, eligibility, and requirements.

The Director oversees both daily and strategic operations of SAAS, driving assessment of SAAS effectiveness as well as recommending strategic direction for the success of student-athletes and continual improvement of academic support services. The director supervises the work of the Assistant Director and Senior Athletic Academic Advisor.

Essential Functions

Lead and manage Student-Athlete Academic Services

• Develop and oversee strategic direction for Student-Athlete Academic Services. Direct the planning, coordination and implementation of advising for student-athletes. Oversee ongoing quarterly processes to support continual academic progress for student-athletes. Work closely with central Office of Academic Advising to develop and ensure shared strategies and best practices in advising students.
• Oversee SAAS processes, including coordination of travel letters, student athlete athletic and academic schedules, historical GPA information, orientation, exam proctoring coordination, website maintenance, quarterly grade compilation and distribution. Develop standard operating procedures for SAAS operations. Manage SAAS budget.
• Develop and implement SAAS assessment processes. Proactively identify opportunities for improvement. Analyze data and oversee program success measurements.
• Supervise Assistant Director and Senior Athletic Academic Advisor and provide ongoing training, support , and mentorship.
• Determine athletic team assignments for SAAS staff. Support professional development of SAAS staff.
• Supervise the compilation, analysis and publication of academic data and reports as required by the NCAA, conference, and university.
• Understand the unique needs and experiences of student-athletes in order to advocate for and support their academic success.
• Serve as for a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC).
• Represent SAAS on Athletics Department committees and meetings such as the summer financial aid distribution committee, senior athletic leadership meetings, eligibility meetings, student athlete handbook updates, annual student-athlete survey development, and academic nominations.
• Represent SAAS on other university committees and meetings such as advising groups, orientation planning, Student Rights and
• Responsibilities Board, Internationalization meetings. Convene meetings as needed.
• Act as the SAAS liaison with university administration, the Faculty Athletics Representative, and the broader faculty on academic matters related to student-athletes.
• Maintain awareness of all University, NCAA and conference academic policies and ensure they are followed.
• Understand and adhere to professional standards and ethical behavior with regard to NCAA, Conference, University, and the
• Department of Athletics Code of Ethics and rules and regulations.
• Develop and recommend strategy and direction for SAAS programs, including study hall, tutoring, and other programming to enhance student-athlete academic success. Oversee tutoring program. Recruit, hire, train, and assign tutors for student-athletes.
• Supervise tutors and manage payroll.

Athletic team academic support

• Provide direct support to caseload of specific athletic teams.
• Provide academic counseling (including advising and registration support) to undergraduate and graduate student-athletes regarding general academic issues, degree planning, and university academic and NCAA eligibility requirements.
• Maintain knowledge of NCAA academic eligibility requirements and communicate these with student-athletes to continue progress toward graduation, while maintaining accurate and complete academic records.
• Participate in recruiting activities as needed, as well as assisting with orientation, retention, and graduation of student-athletes.
• Order and receive books every quarter for student athletes who have a book scholarship for assigned team.
• Liaise with team coaches regarding academic progress of student-athletes.
• Provide referrals for students to campus partners as needed.
• Interpret and communicate academic policies and procedures to coaches, students, and staff.
• When necessary, proctor exams for student athletes when traveling to away competitions.

Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to set operational goals from strategic plans and lead direct reports in accomplishing these strategic goals and initiatives.
• Ability to anticipate next steps and execute independently.
• High level of initiative, attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with diverse constituents at all levels of the organization, including student-athletes, faculty, staff, administrators, and coaches.
• Ability to work with confidential material and sensitive matters with integrity, diplomacy and discretion.
• Ability to juggle a wide variety of tasks and effectively prioritize responsibilities.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and adhere to NCAA Division I rules and regulations.
• Willingness and commitment to ongoing professional development, such as involvement with N4A.
• Ability to make complex, independent decisions.
• Excellent written communication and speaking skills. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from students, University colleagues and the general public over the telephone, in writing and in person.
• Ability to work well within a team with a high level of professionalism.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel.
• Commitment to providing quality services.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills.
• Comfortable summarizing, compiling, and interpreting student data and reports.
• Knowledge of student learning and student development.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Five years of experience in higher education, student support, or a related field
• At least two years of experience in intercollegiate athletics advising
• Management experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Experience working with student-athletes in an NCAA Division 1 institution
• Five years’ experience working in a position closely related to supporting collegiate student-athletes and/or sport administration
• Experience working with faculty
• Experience working with collegiate coaches
• Experience assessing programs and initiatives
• Knowledge of intercollegiate athletics and NCAA Division I Eligibility rules
• Engagement in N4A organization or a similar professional organization
• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often, and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. In accordance with the University’s flexible work policy, this position is eligible to be considered for partial remote work. Further details regarding this plan will be determined with the hiring manager and are dependent on the division and team specific needs.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) May 15, 2026.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 12.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $82,000-$85,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.