Assistant Director of Sports Nutrition

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Assistant Director of Sports Nutrition plays a vital role in developing the overall nutrition plan for SMU student-athletes for all sports except football. This role supports 300+ student athletes in the sports of men's basketball, women's basketball, cross-country, indoor track, outdoor track, men's golf, women's golf, men's soccer, women's soccer, equestrian, rowing, men's swimming and diving, women's swimming and diving, volleyball, men's tennis, and women's tennis.

The Assistant Director will work closely with Director of Sports Nutrition, the Sports Medicine Staff and Strength and Conditioning Staff in supporting the athletic and nutritional goals of coaches and student-athletes.

Within this collaborative health and wellness group, they will work to advance the overall objective of meeting the sports performance goals of all of the departments' intercollegiate athletic teams.

Essential Functions: 

  • Provide nutrition screening, intervention, and follow-up to student-athletes on an individual and team basis to provide comprehensive nutrition care. This includes, but isn't limited to individual nutrition counseling and team education on nutrient timing, hydration, food allergies, disordered eating, nutrient deficiencies, dietary supplements, body composition, and injury recovery. 

  • Provide support for the Flanagan Family Training Table for all student-athletes and maintain fueling resources in all facilities and for sport program competitions. Responsible for all aspects of nutritional supplies in the Loyd Nutrition area as well as satellite fueling stations.

  • Communication: Maintains communication with coaching staff, administrative staff and groups (e.g., Sport Care Teams) relative to student-athlete nutrition and performance concerns. Maintains appropriate communication with Health and Wellness staff and team physicians using electronic medical records system and following documentation practices laid out by Academy of Nutrition Dietetics.

  • Recruiting: Provides oversight and support for development of and presentation of educational information in support of student-athlete and parent(s) on-campus recruiting visits for sport programs.

  • Compliance: Maintain working knowledge of and adherence to all NCAA, ACC Conference and institutional rules and regulations. Expected immediate communication of any possible infractions of such rules and regulations to the Athletics Compliance Staff. Maintain current credentials and license as directed by the State of Texas and National certifying organizations.

  • This position requires occasional evening and/or weekend work hours. 

  • This position requires occasional travel for work.


Qualifications

Education and Experience: 

Bachelor’s degree is required. Master's degree is preferred.  A degree in Nutrition or related field is preferred. 

A minimum of three years of experience is required. Experience working with an athlete population is required. 

Registered Dietitian through the Commission on Dietetic Registration and active licensure in State of Texas (required upon hire). Minimum 1 year of experience in nutrition counseling with special population individuals including but not limited to: disordered eating, eating disorders, food allergies, nutrient deficiencies, body composition, and nutrition for injury.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. 

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.  

Candidate must have knowledge of NCAA, ACC and University rules and regulations.

Candidate must have ability to instruct, counsel and direct student-athletes, and to support coaches, mental health services, sports medicine, and food services. 

Physical and Environmental Demands: 

  • Sit for long periods of time
  • Carry/lift 25 lbs. 

Deadline to Apply: 

Open until filled. 

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by April 25, 2025.