The University of Missouri Department of Athletics is seeking an Assistant Athletics Director to serve as the Director of Mental Health and Mental Performance. This position serves as the department’s senior leader overseeing the delivery of comprehensive, high-performance mental health, well-being, and mental performance services for all student-athletes within Mizzou Athletics. This position will be responsible for developing and executing a strategic vision for mental health care that reflects the demands of elite collegiate athletics, emphasizing proactive wellbeing, crisis management, and peak performance support.
The Director will lead a multidisciplinary mental health team and work collaboratively with the Chief Medical Officer, Sports Medicine, Sports Performance, Nutrition, and Academic Support to promote a holistic model of care. This individual will ensure that services align with best practices, NCAA and SEC standards, and the department’s commitment to student-athlete welfare and competitive excellence.
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Key Responsibilities:
Department Leadership and Administration (50%)
- Oversee a comprehensive mental health and mental performance program including providing leadership, strategic direction, and supervision of department staff
- Serve as a core member of the Sports Medicine and Performance leadership team to align care across all areas of student-athlete health and performance
- Advise the Chief Medical Officer, Director of Athletics, and senior leadership on policy development, staffing needs, and resource allocation to support student-athlete wellbeing
- Manage program operations, including budgeting, staffing, and strategic planning initiatives
- Develop, implement, and evaluate mental health policies, emergency response procedures, and best-practice protocols
- Lead case management discussions and participate in multidisciplinary meetings to address complex or high-acuity cases
- Ensure compliance with NCAA, SEC, and institutional guidelines related to mental health and student-athlete wellbeing
- Collaborate with campus mental health, medical, and wellness offices to ensure seamless integration of care and resources
- Stay current with emerging research, legislation, and best practices in collegiate and sport-specific mental health
Mental Health and Mental Performance Service Provision (40%)
- Provide direct clinical services to student-athletes, including assessment, treatment planning, therapy, consultation, crisis support, and case management as appropriate
- Oversee mental health screening process of all student-athletes in a manner consistent with NCAA Mental Health Best Practices
- Ensure timely and accurate documentation consistent with professional, legal, and university standards
- Coordinate and oversee referral processes with campus and community mental health providers to ensure continuity and quality of care
- Coordinate emergency response and follow-up in case of mental health emergencies, including transition back to campus and re-engagement with academic and athletic demands
- Supervise and guide clinical staff and trainees providing mental health and performance services within athletics
Outreach and Consultation (10%)
- Design and deliver education and prevention programs to build mental health literacy and resilience among student-athletes, coaches, and staff
- Partner with coaches and support staff to develop team-based initiatives that promote positive mental health culture and early intervention
- Consult with Mizzou sports medicine, coaches, and other department staff regarding student-athlete mental health and performance topics as relevant and in a manner consistent with ethical and legal guidelines
- Represent Mizzou Athletics in conference, NCAA, and national forums on mental health in sports
Perform other duties as necessary to enhance the student-athlete mental health and mental performance experience across the department and university as a whole
