Job Description
Req Id:  41143
Job Title:  Director of Football Academics
City:  West Lafayette
Job Description: 

Job Summary

Responsible for providing for Football holistic support in areas of academic and personal development for the student-athletes assigned to the CAVE.  Collaborate with Learning Specialists and Academic Advisors to assess and assist students to develop as independent, self-reliant learners and students. Oversee screening assessments of all new-to-Purdue football student athletes to determine levels of support and intervention and evaluate whether further testing is needed. Along with the learning specialists, responsible for coordinating all neuropsychological, ADD, ADHD testing for football student-athletes. Works with the Learning Specialist during process of registering and managing the use of academic accommodations at the disability resource center. Develop and manage student-specific study plans, addressing academic and non-academic concerns that may impede successful academic outcomes. Meets with football student athletes regularly in one-on-one or in small groups to work on remediation in areas of studying, notetaking, organization and time management. Oversee two full time Assistant Directors of Academic Support and one Learning Specialist. Interview, hire, and train direct reports to ensure that program goals and objectives are met with strict adherence to NCAA, Big Ten Conference, and University Requirements.

What You'll Be Doing:

Student-Athlete Support: Post-Enrollment

Manage a caseload of football student-athletes assigned to the CAVE, including those with a diagnosed learning disability and/or ADHD. Conduct regular one-on-one meetings with assigned football student-athletes to assess individualized learning needs. Complete grade checks and create weekly objective sheets. Work individually or in small groups with football student-athletes on specific learning strategies and on enhancing academic skill development. Provide football student-athletes with tools for skill remediation in areas of studying, notetaking, organization, and time management. Develop and manage student-specific study plans, addressing academic and non-academic concerns that may impede successful academic outcomes. Aid students in communicating with professors and distributing accessibility letters. Schedule all necessary tutoring appointments for assigned caseload. Collaborate with learning specialists to effectively design program objectives, assess student learning, interpret data, and guide low achieving students to new levels of thinking. Create and maintain a positive, safe, and collaborative learning in order to boost culture, foster strong relationships, and encourage autonomy, independence and skill building. Collaborate with academic advisors and assist students considering major changes by helping students link their strengths with areas of interest.  Supervise and direct football academic staff to include two football assistant director of academic support and one learning specialist. Responsibilities to include providing leadership, direction, training, and orientation to football academic staff with emphasis on departmental procedures, Purdue University, Big Ten Conference and NCAA policies and procedures.  Assist each with establishing yearly performance expectations.  Manage annual performance expectations of employees, using corrective action as necessary.  Meet weekly to discuss any questions or concerns.  Provide opportunities for meaningful experiences related to the athletic academic advising profession, as well as possible outside professional development opportunities.  Coordinate work to be accomplished with other athletic academic support services staff members to assure smooth and timely results.  Conduct searches when positions become available. Coordinate orientation upon their arrival.                                                                                   

Student–Athlete Support: Pre-Enrollment

Participate in on-campus recruiting visits. Meet with prospective football student-athletes and their families to review academic support services. Review academic records of incoming football athletes. Instruct and facilitate the summer football newcomer Student Success Workshop focused on transition and academic success. Screen and assess all new-to-Purdue football student-athletes upon arrival to campus. Read screening results and meet with moderate or high risk student to assess necessary levels of support and evaluate whether further testing is needed. Complete behavioral and personal assessments to create meaningful pairings between football student-athletes and mentors.  Schedule all neuropsychological, ADHD, and ADD testing for all student-athletes. Collaborate with team doctors and sports medicine staff to review test results with recommendation for medicinal intervention. Meet with football student-athletes diagnosed with ADHD/ADD as needed to offer academic support for those students not formally enrolled in the CAVE. Review and read all academic test results to football student-athletes. Aid these students in the creation of an academic success plan. Along with the learning specialists, serve as liaison between Purdue Athletics and the Disability Resource Center at Purdue University. Recommend and assist in the creation of accessibility letters for student-athletes with disabilities. Work with the office of Enrollment Management to use a data model that aids in the prediction of student success and encourages a proactive response to finding and aiding at-risk student-athletes before arriving at Purdue. 

 

3 Year Plan

In coordination with the senior associate athletics director for student services, develop and manage the athletics academic support services 3-Year Planning document and conduct the accompanying meeting each academic year. This document provides the overall direction of the unit. 

 

Administrative

Oversee the day-to-day operations of the football academic services area. Prepare daily study hall reports as well as weekly grade reports to be distributed to coaches and academic staff. Work with compliance staff to write waivers and create academic plans for athletes deemed ineligible due to academic reasons.

 

Supervision

  • 2 Full time Assistant Director of Academic Support
  • 1 Full time Learning Specialist
  • 12-15 Part time academic mentors

 

Campus Committees

Handle special duties, serve on campus-wide committees and perform other duties as assigned by the senior associate.

About Us:

Purdue Athletics is built on unrivaled pride, unlimited potential, and a sense of shared purpose that unites staff, student-athletes, and the broader community. As part of Purdue’s 150-year legacy, Athletics exemplifies a culture of collaboration, continuous growth, and excellence, where every member is encouraged to strive for success while fostering a positive and supportive environment. Joining Purdue Athletics means joining a team committed to building a better world together—where professional aspirations thrive, innovation is celebrated, and a lasting impact is made on campus and beyond. Read more: Purdue Boilermakers Athletics  

What We're Looking For:

Education and Experience:

  • Master's degree in related area 
  • Five (5) years’ experience working with at-risk students 
  • Considerable experience (5-7 years) working with at-risk students in a collegiate environment is preferred
  • Equivalent education and experience may also be considered

 

Skills needed:

  • Computer proficient in Microsoft Office
  • Excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills with ability to relate well to others and constructively interact with a variety of people
  • Ability to determine and discuss the reasons for referral, components of, and findings of educational testing
  • Ability to match student learning needs with available resources to address the identified concerns.
  • Knowledge of a wide range of learning strategies and study skills development techniques and the ability to train students and staff in understanding and applying specific strategies to improve/enhance learning
  • Working knowledge and accountability for NCAA, Big Ten Conference, and Purdue University regulations and submitting documentation as required to the Athletics Compliance Office
  • Working knowledge of NCAA academic eligibility and recruiting rules/procedures.

Who We Are:

Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.

Additional Information:

  • Purdue’s benefits summary https://www.purdue.edu/hr/Benefits/
  • Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position  
  • A background check will be required for employment in this position
  • FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
  • Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions immediately  

Career Stream

Compensation Information:
Management 4
Pay Band S075
Job Code#20002620
 
Link to Purdue University's Compensation Guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php

EOE

Purdue University is an EO/EA University

Posting Start Date:  3/9/26