Director of Student-Athlete Well Being

Posting Details

This position is designated as Exempt from the Human Resources Act (EHRA).

Hiring Range
$82,000 - $90,500

Working Title
Director of Student-Athlete Well Being

External Link to Posting
https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/40253

Vacancy Number
E1582

Position Number
1185

Location of Workplace
Main UNCW Campus

Home Department
Counseling Center - 40240

Division
Student Affairs - 40 Division

Brief Summary of Work for this Position

The Director of Student-Athlete Well-Being serves within the UNCW Counseling Center and is embedded in the Athletics Department, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Deputy Director of Athletics. As a member of both the Counseling Center and Athletics teams, this role supports the holistic development of UNCW student-athletes by providing clinical services, education, resources, and programming that foster essential life skills and long-term success.

The Director builds strong relationships with student-athletes, coaches, campus and community partners, and Athletics staff; assesses and identifies challenges impacting student-athlete mental health; supports their transition to college and the UNCW environment; and makes referrals to appropriate on- and off-campus resources. The position is responsible for upholding all confidentiality, ethical, and legal standards-including HIPAA, state licensure laws, university policies, and NCAA reporting standards-while adhering to the philosophies and regulations of the Counseling Center, UNCW Athletics, and the NCAA/CAA. Ultimately, the Director plays a key role in shaping the evolving landscape of mental health and well-being for UNCW student-athletes.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Master's degree in psychology, social work, or counseling
• Eligibility for licensure (or current licensure) as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Psychologist and Health Services Provider in Psychology in the state of North Carolina within the first year of employment
• Two years of experience (can include internship) providing mental health counseling to students, preferably with student-athletes, in a university or college athletic department and/or college counseling center setting
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Doctoral Degree (PhD or PsyD) in Clinical or Counseling Psychology from an APA Accredited Institution
• Current Licensure as a LCMHA, LCSW, or Psychologist and Health Services Provider in Psychology in North Carolina
• An individual with Applied Association of Sport Psychology - Certified Mental Performance Consultant credentials
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to problem-solve, handle sensitive information and nuanced situations
• A solid understanding of boundaries and professional ethics
• Ability to develop a working knowledge of NCAA and CAA rules and regulations associated with providing counseling and psychological services to student-athletes
• Interest in engaging in the typical work of a university counseling center, including short-term counseling, group counseling, crisis work, outreach, consultation, supervision, and training with student-athletes

Required Certifications or Licensures

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

Over the last year, the University of North Carolina Wilmington has made significant investment in the wellbeing of students, which has included funding new full time permanent positions in the Counseling Center and expanding the current practicum and post doctoral training programs. This is consistent with the new strategic plan for the university and the UNCW Chancellor's dedication to improving mental health resources available on campus.

It is anticipated that these changes and investment in mental health will result in an increasingly multidisciplinary staff that includes a Case Manager, Embedded Clinician in Athletics, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors, Licensed Social Workers, and Licensed Psychologists.

The existing training program at UNCW's Counseling Center, currently composed of two practicum level trainees, is also expected to expand, eventually including multiple practicum trainees from Social Work and the doctoral Psychology program at UNCW. The current Post Doctoral Fellowship training program, which also received significant financial investment in 2024, recently completed the process to become an APICC member program. The training program has also received funding to secure three doctoral internships beginning in August 2025, and it will pursue full APA accreditation. We encourage clinicians who are on the path to licensure to consider this exciting opportunity embedded within Athletics.

College/School Information

University Information

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation's only bachelor's degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of "Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

Number of Openings
Single Incumbent

Special Notes to Applicants

PLEASE NOTE: This posting is open until filled. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application before you apply for this position.

Applications must be submitted through the online application system to be considered.

Months Per Year
12 Months

FTE
1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)

Type of Position
Permanent

Anticipated Ending Date if Time-Limited Positions

Job Posting Date
07/30/2026

Posting Close Date