Director of Recruiting & Transition Coordinator – Recruiting & Player Transition

Job Description

Director of Recruiting & Transition Coordinator | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Tone:
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis, located at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Urbana, IL. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the state’s flagship public university and a leading research institution, fostering a vibrant community of students supported by a comprehensive student service ecosystem. This role is vital in providing championship caliber leadership to the recruiting efforts of Fighting Illini Football, ensuring a positive and life-changing transition for incoming student-athletes.

The TL;DR
• Role: Full Time
• Type: Academic Professional
• Location: In-person, Urbana, IL
• Pay: $65000–$80000 yearly
• Team: Division Intercollegiate Athletics
• Mission: To provide championship caliber leadership to the recruiting efforts of Fighting Illini Football and foster a smooth transition for incoming student-athletes.
• Tech Stack: recruiting database, compliance software

What You’ll Actually Do
• Player Transition: Lead the comprehensive onboarding process for new signees and transfers, guiding them from registration through campus arrival.
• Admissions & Eligibility: Direct recruits through the admission cycle, conduct preliminary transcript evaluations, and ensure NCAA initial and transfer eligibility in collaboration with compliance staff.
• Recruiting Communication: Design and contribute to digital messaging, manage physical recruiting correspondence, and cultivate relationships with recruits, families, and coaches.
• On-Campus Visit Coordination: Arrange travel, secure tickets, manage meal allocations, and develop itineraries for official and unofficial campus visits for prospective student-athletes.
• Family & Staff Liaison: Serve as a primary contact for incoming student-athletes and their families, addressing questions and providing updates to the coaching staff on the onboarding process.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Director-level leadership in collegiate athletic recruiting and student-athlete transition, specifically within a university setting.
• Experience: Demonstrated ability to manage complex onboarding programs, coordinate logistics for recruiting visits, and navigate university admissions and NCAA compliance processes.
• Skills: Comprehensive understanding of NCAA eligibility standards, strong communication skills for interacting with prospective student-athletes and their families, and proficiency in managing recruiting information.