Position Title:

Senior Associate Athletics Director, Student-Athlete Health & Performance

Position Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Categories:

Staff Exempt

Job Summary:

Position Title:

Senior Associate Athletics Director, Student-Athlete Health & Performance

Position Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Categories:

Staff Exempt

Job Summary:

Job Duties:

As an integral leader within Bucknell’s NCAA Division I athletics program, the Senior Associate Athletics Director, Student-Athlete Health & Performance will oversee and elevate the athletics program’s health and performance strategy, integrating elite care with innovation to support the success and well-being of over 700 scholar-athletes. This position is instrumental in fostering a culture of excellence that aligns with the university’s mission of education, innovation, and ethical conduct.
 

The role combines strategic leadership with operational oversight, guiding a transdisciplinary team across sports medicine, strength and conditioning, nutrition, mental health, and recovery to deliver unified, athlete-centered care. This leader will work closely with the Director of Athletics and collaborate with the Bucknell medical community and campus medical partners to position Bucknell as a leader in injury prevention, performance innovation, and holistic athlete development.
 

The role includes sport oversight, including football and will serve as Bucknell University’s NCAA Health Care Administrator.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and implement a forward-thinking performance innovation strategy to achieve competitive excellence across all 27 NCAA Division I programs.

• Embed University values into all aspects of the health and performance unit.

• Lead initiatives that establish Bucknell as a leader in student-athlete health care and performance.

• Build a collaborative leadership culture that integrates medical, performance, and coaching teams into cohesive units.

Transdisciplinary Collaboration

• Cultivate partnerships with academic, risk management, medical, and campus sectors to advance health and performance solutions.

• Guide and mentor a diverse team of specialists, fostering a shared vision of athlete-first care and integrated performance support.

• Design and promote systems for cross-functional collaboration, ensuring alignment in planning, execution, and evaluation.

• Establish holistic, data-informed reconditioning protocols to ensure safe and effective return-to-play processes.

Performance Innovation

• Leverage technology and analytics to inform shared decision-making and maximize performance and reduced injury outcomes.

• Implement evidence-based practices through innovative data collection and analysis systems.

• Drive a culture of continuous learning, equipping staff and student-athletes with skills for agile problem-solving and adaptive growth.

Athlete Welfare & Development

• Ensure scholar-athletes receive tailored care, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

• Collaborate with the athletic leadership development programs that prepare athletes for life beyond sport, emphasizing resilience, teamwork, and self-mastery.

Operational Excellence

• Manage personnel, budgets, resource allocation, electronic medical record protocols, and facility operations to deliver premier services to student-athletes and staff.

• Accountable for the successful implementation and oversight of the student-athlete medical insurance offering.

• Establish quality control processes that uphold the highest standards in health and performance.

• Foster a culture of accountability, excellence, and innovation.

Qualifications

Minimum Education & Experience

• Master’s Degree in Kinesiology, Sport Science, Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.

• Minimum of 4 years in a leadership role within the medical and/or performance role.

• Ten or more years of experience in NCAA environments

Preferred Education & Experience

• PhD in Kinesiology, Sport Science, Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.

• 8+ years in a leadership role within the medical and/or performance role.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic Acumen: Expertise in modern integrated approaches to performance management and athlete care.

• Innovative Thinking: Ability to integrate emerging trends, technologies, and methodologies into high-performance frameworks.

• Collaborative Communication: Exceptional skill in connecting with diverse stakeholders and fostering alignment.

• Adaptability & Resilience: Demonstrated success in navigating complex environments and driving positive change.

• Technical Proficiency: Advanced knowledge of performance technologies and data analytics to drive evidence-based decisions.

Personal Attributes

• Visionary leader with a collaborative, team-first approach.

• Self-motivated learner committed to fostering positive and inclusive environments.

• Skilled at managing strategic partnerships and maximizing resources.

Position Requirements

• Full-time, on-site role based in Lewisburg, PA.

• Availability for evening, weekend, and travel commitments.

• This role is not budgeted for visa sponsorship at this time, all candidates must be authorized to work in the US at the time of submission of the application.

Physical Requirements

• Work involves considerable exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

• Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Why Bucknell?

First in Higher Education

Bucknell was ranked seventh among midsized employers (companies with 1,000 to 5,000 employees) in Pennsylvania, first among colleges and universities in the state, and No. 214 among all businesses nationally in Forbes' 2025 list of "America’s Best Midsize Employers."

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Job Exempt:

Yes

Salary Range:

102,850.00-121,000.00

The offer rate will be based on a review of the candidate's credentials compared to the qualifications of the position, internal equity, and our overall compensation philosophy. 

This role is not budgeted for visa sponsorship at this time, all candidates must be authorized to work in the US at the time of submission of the application.

Advertised:

2025-06-12

Benefits:

Eligible full- and part-time employees are compensated beyond base salary through our total rewards package that includes (but is not limited to):

• Flexible scheduling options determined by role; 
• Medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance options
• An outstanding 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan (no contribution requirement for non-exempt positions)
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick time, a community service day, and 19 paid holidays (including two full weeks off for Winter Break!)
• Full-time and part-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for themselves. Additionally, full-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for their spouse/spousal equivalent and are eligible for various tuition programs for their children. Credit for full-time benefits eligible employment at other institutions of higher education will be applied to waiting periods.
• A comprehensive employee wellness program including program incentives
• A myriad of other benefits, including parental leave, an employee assistance program, fitness center membership, and the power of your Bucknell ID card 

To learn more about Bucknell's benefits, click here! (*Eligibility criteria and waiting periods may apply.)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community.  We endeavor to enhance our capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings.  We encourage all individuals to apply and do not discriminate in admissions, employment, educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.

E-Verify

Bucknell University participates with the United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) E-Verify program.  We will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

For additional information regarding Bucknell's E-Verify requirements, please contact the office of Talent, Culture & Human Resources (570) 577-1631 or email hr@bucknell.edu.

E-Verify Posters (sharing the link to the posters, which are also attached)

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