Assistant Director of Sports Nutrition

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

VCU Athletics is seeking a professional, seasoned sports nutritionist.

​Summary:

Reporting to the Assistant AD for Sports Medicine, this position will collaborate with VCU Athletics to support the health and well­ being of all student-athletes by providing education to all coaches, healthcare providers, and student-athletes on safe and proper fueling for competitive performance using the latest scientific-based evidence and NCAA guidelines as well as be knowledgeable in supplement education and regulation. In addition to providing individual and team-based education, the Assistant Director of Sports Nutrition must be competent in food service management tasks required at fueling stations. Responsibilities include monitoring student workers, placing orders twice a week, managing the nutrition budget, developing monthly budget reports, authenticating purchase transactions, and monitoring supplement inventory. This role will also coordinate and execute day-to-day nutrition operations, participate as a member of an interdisciplinary sports performance team, and ensure that sports nutrition strategies are effectively implemented and prioritized by team support and coaching staff.

Typical Duties

Dietary Counseling & Coordination of Care

  • Provide nutritional care and education to student-athletes, coaches, and sports medicine staff to maximize student-athlete performance, health and well-being;
  • Assess and analyze dietary practices, body composition, strength development, and energy balance (intake and expenditure) of student-athletes in the context of athletic performance and health;
  • Document and record all counseling sessions within the medical health record system; identify high-nutrition-risk athletes;
  • Provide structured meal plans if deemed necessary based on clinical judgement;
  • Counsel student-athletes on optimal nutrition for exercise training (aligning nutrition with training phases and goals), competition, recovery, weight management, hydration, travel, and supplementation;
  • Guide  and counsel student-athletes in achieving and maintaining a body mass, body fat percentage, and muscle mass that support both good health and peak performance;
  • Maintain efficient communication with Sports Performance Team regarding player development;
  • Provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for specialized conditions such as anemia, food allergies, injuries and menstrual dysfunction as necessary;
  • Provide guidance and recommendations to coaching and operations staff on nutrition for home and away games (e.g., catering, hotels, airlines, and competition nutrition for the team);
  • Facilitate and/or participate in multidisciplinary Wellness Team meetings to support student-athletes with high-priority nutrition concerns, such as:
  •   GI-related nutrition issues
  •   Eating disorders and disordered eating
  •   Other concerning nutrition-related health issues
  •   Food insecurity support
  • Partner with Sports Psychologist to effectively refer student-athletes requiring behavioral support for nutrition-related concerns. Ensure adherence to HIPAA regulations and maintain seamless coordination throughout the process.

Sports Performance Team Collaboration

  • Communicate with facilities managers to ensure nutrition events are approved and all logistical details are accounted for;
  • Prepare all home game day fueling services and ensure timely communication with away teams for travel nutrition support;
  • Promote recruitment efforts by engaging with prospective student-athletes and their families regarding the Performance Nutrition Program;
  • Assist in planning and execution of daily team meals, where appropriate, while coordinating with caterers, the sports performance team, and operations staff;
  • Collaborate with coaches and members of the Sports Performance Team to coordinate appropriate pre-, during- and post-exercise fluids and snacks for individual training, team practices, and competitions;
  • Serve as a resource for Sport Coaches, athletic trainers, and strength & conditioning coaches; collaborate with other members of the Performance Nutrition Team to develop and oversee nutrition policies and procedures;

Nutrition Education

  • Develop and utilize resources to support educational efforts regarding the nutritional needs of student-athletes;
  • Create engaging, interactive and individualized education activities for athletes to enhance learning outcomes;
  • Facilitate grocery store tours, team talks, cooking classes, hydration tests, and provide access to local food pantry resources;
  • Develop and maintain social media platforms to promote services and provide nutrition education to student-athletes;
  • Stay up-to-date on current food, nutrition, supplement, and health related research in sports nutrition;
  • Develop detailed sports nutrition injury protocols and regularly review updated literature for necessary adjustments;
  • Educate all teams on dietary supplements and run database analyses to approve or decline supplement intake;
  • Plan and execute events for National Nutrition Month, and National Eating Disorder Awareness Week.

Fuel Station Management & Supervision

  • Assist in the management of the Fuel Station, including supervision of 20-25 work-study students, overseeing budget and financial planning for the nutrition staff, and managing purchase orders for all Fuel Station products;

Typical Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications 
Minimum hiring standards include:
Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition or closely related field;
Registered Dietitian (RD) 
2 years experience (GA or internship experience is acceptable);
Familiarity with NCAA regulations regarding the health and safety of student-athletes;

Preferred Qualifications
Preferred hiring standards include:
An advanced degree or training and work experience that equates to an advanced degree;
At least one (1) year of experience working within Division I Athletics;
Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) or CSSD eligible within 6 months of hire;
Knowledge of ED/DE signs and symptoms and experience providing nutrition counseling and working in a team setting for care.

Typical Licensure

Credentialed Registered Dietitian through the Commission on Dietetic Registration or ability to become credentialed within six months of start date