Working Title: Director of Player Development - Football

State Role Title: Administrative and Professional Faculty

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Intercollegiate Athletics

Department: 400311 - Athletics/JMU Foundation

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 01/02/2025

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

James Madison University, a Division I member of the NCAA and Sun Belt Conference , is accepting applications for a Director of Player Development, Football. The Director of Player Development, Football will manage the Football Program’s Student-Athlete Development & Leadership Program, which encompasses 105-120 Football Student-Athletes. This position will develop and implement Player Development & Leadership strategy and initiatives that are specific for the Football Program and is aligned with JMU Athletics and Dukes LEAD’s objective and philosophy.
This position is a full time, three year funded position with a comprehensive benefits package.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Player Development and Leadership Programming/Management:

• Oversee the Football Student-Athlete Development & Leadership Program and initiatives which encompasses 105-120 Football Student-
• Athletes as directed by the Head Football Coach and in concert with the Assistant A.D. for Student-Athlete Development to maximize and utilize resources related to Student-Athlete Development & Leadership
• Develop and implement a comprehensive Player Development strategy that is specific for the Football Program and is aligned with JMU
• Athletics and Dukes LEAD’s objective and philosophy.
• Oversee Life Skills programming to prepare Football Student-Athletes for life after College/Football (time management skills, study skills, etc.)
• Oversee and Develop the Football Student-Athlete Mentorship Program by cultivating relationships with external partners (community partners, donors, etc.) and creating mentorship opportunities that lead to life-long personal and professional relationships
• Plan and Coordinate Wednesday Wisdom Programming during the Spring and Summer Semesters in conjunction with the Assistant A.D.,
• Football Administration, Head Football Coach and Director of Football Operations
• Mentor Football Student-Athletes from transitioning to JMU through Graduation and beyond
• Assist Football Student-Athletes with career needs (interview training, resume building, etc.)

Networking/Partnerships/Community Service:

• Build relationships with internal and external partners to enhance Player Development opportunities within the University, Harrisonburg and greater Rockingham County
• Mentor and assist Football Student-Athletes in career development and employment opportunities
• Provide professional development for the Football program and facilitate career development opportunities via job shadows, internships and job placement
• Coordinate personal development and community outreach and service initiatives with external partners within Harrisonburg and the greater Rockingham County
• Coordinate and Plan ‘Community Host Family’ initiative for the Football program
• Network with Alpha Dog and Duke Club Members to engage and promote Student-Athlete Development for the Football Program with likeminded stakeholders who have a desire and willingness give time and other resources

Departmental Collaboration:

• Collaborate with the Assistant A.D. for Student-Athlete Leadership on JMU Athletic Student-Athlete Development/Leadership Events and NCAA programming (i.e. JMA’s, SAAC, Guest Speakers, Career Fairs, etc.)
• Coordinate and Communicate with all internal and external Athletic Department services for the Football Program as it related to Student-Athlete Development and the Dukes LEAD program
• Collaborate with the University Career Center by promoting events and programs to Football student-athletes while assisting with their readiness for those events and programs
• Collaborate and communicate closely with Assistant A.D., Student-Athlete Services related to academic support and needs for the Football Program and the Winter and Summer Bridge Programming for new student-athletes
• Liaison for the Football Program to Student-Athlete Services related to day-to-day Academic needs/concerns
• Work closely with the Football Program’s support staff to ensure Student-Athlete Development Programming is in alignment with other services provided by Dukes LEAD, Student-Athlete Services, Sport Medicine, Football Operations, etc.
• Communicate regularly with the Assistant A.D. for Football Administration, Head Coach, Director of Football Operations, Assistant Coaching Staff and other stakeholders to provide updates on Player Development initiatives and progress
• Attend Practices & Games and be a resource for Football Student-Athletes on a day-to-day basis
• Required non-standard working hours, early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends & holiday work.
• Travel is required for all home/away games (regular and post-season)
  
  

Compliance/Recruiting/NIL:

• Ensure compliance with all NCAA, SBC, and JMU Athletics rules and regulations as it relates to Student-Athlete Development
• Assist the Football Coaching Staff with on-campus recruiting by providing presentations and or individual meetings to prospective student-athletes on Student-Athlete Development (camps, clinics, unofficial and official visits)
• Assist the Football Program in planning, implementing, and executing annual coaching clinics, youth camps, and other programming that is essential to raising awareness and recruiting initiatives
• Develop a Name, Image, and Likeness Education Course for Football Student-Athletes in conjunction with the Associate A.D., Governance / NIL and Assistant A.D., Football Administration along with the Head Football Coach
• Provide Name, Image, and Likeness Education to Student-Athletes on the Football Program in conjunction with JMU Athletics Compliance Staff and following applicable U.S./State Government, NCAA, SBC, JMU policies, rules and regulations

Qualifications:

Required:

• 1-2 years of FBS College Football or NFL experience
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Experience working with collegiate student athletes
• Proven experience working with diverse populations
• Ability to work nights, holidays and weekends
• Knowledge of NCAA guidelines and eligibility rules

Additional Posting Information:

JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.