Director of Student-Athlete Well Being

Posting Details

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

Posting Details

Benefits of Working at UNCW

At the University of North Carolina Wilmington, we are driven by a clear purpose: to empower student success, advance innovation, and strengthen the communities we serve. Guided by our strategic vision and commitment to excellence, UNCW offers a dynamic and collaborative environment where employees can make meaningful contributions while growing their careers.

Located in coastal North Carolina, UNCW combines the energy of a thriving academic community with the natural beauty of nearby beaches and outdoor spaces. Here, professional opportunity is balanced with an exceptional quality of life-creating a workplace where you can thrive both personally and professionally.

As a member of the Seahawk community, you'll benefit from a culture that values well-being, lifelong learning, and connection. UNCW offers a competitive and flexible benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and professional growth. From comprehensive health coverage and retirement options to generous paid leave, tuition opportunities within the UNC System, learning and development opportunities, and wellness programs, UNCW is committed to helping you thrive both at work and in your personal life.

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.

EEO Statement

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents - except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

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

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vita

Optional Documents

• Resume

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • How did you learn of this opportunity with UNCW? (2026)

• UNCW Website

• UNCW LinkedIn Page

• UNCW X Account (formerly Twitter)

• UNCW Employee Referral

• UNCW Instagram Account (UNCW_jobs)

• UNCW Job Alert

• Chronical of Higher Education

• Glassdoor

• Higher Ed Jobs

• Indeed

• Inside Higher Ed

• North Carolina Job Network

• Craigslist

• Career Events/Job Fairs

• Billboards/Marquee

• Other

• • If you selected "Other" to the question above, please explain how you found out about this opportunity. Enter N/A if not applicable.

(Open Ended Question)