Mental Performance Consultant, Athletics

University of Cincinnati; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition remission

Retirement plans

Health coverage

Job summary

The University of Cincinnati Athletics Department seeks a Mental Performance Consultant to provide mental performance services for varsity student‑athletes in Olympic sports. You will assess, educate, and engage with athletes and coaching staff to optimize performance while aligning with policies and professional standards.

This non‑clinical role emphasizes collaboration within interdisciplinary teams, implementation of evidence‑based strategies, and ongoing communication with department

Qualifications

• Master's Degree required.
• Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) certification preferred.
• 1 year of experience in elite, collegiate, or professional sport.

Responsibilities

• Provide mental performance services to student‑athletes and programs to develop effective routines for optimal performance.
• Conduct mental performance assessment and make recommendations for skill development.
• Consult and train coaching staff on communication strategies and mental skills integration.
• Develop and implement performance plans and track progress for individuals and teams.

Skills

Mental skills

Team building

Communication

Interpersonal dynamics

Education

Master's Degree

Job description

Current UC employees must apply internally via SuccessFactors

Next Lives at the University of Cincinnati

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation’s best urban public research universities. Home to more than 53,600 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, and over 360,000 living alumni, UC, a Carnegie 1 institution, combines research prowess with a physical setting The New York Times has called “the most ambitious campus design program in the country." UC's momentum has never been stronger as the anchor of the Cincinnati Innovation District, the oldest cooperative education (co‑op) program in the country with students earning $94 million annually through paid experiences, an academic health system, and as a member of the Big 12 Conference. The university contributes $10.6 billion in economic impact to the city and $22.7 billion to the state of Ohio. At UC, next is all of us. Learn more at uc.edu.

UC is a mission-driven organization where we are committed to student success and positively transforming the community through scholarship and service. We thrive on innovation, making an impact, and fostering an environment where staff and faculty are key contributors to UC’s success.

About The Department

The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics competes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics with the vision to reach Next Level Success for all 18 varsity teams and more than 450 student‑athletes. The Bearcats have a proud athletics history, winning eight national championships and 118 conference titles. The Cincinnati men's basketball team is among the 15 winningest programs all‑time, while the football team became the first non‑Power Five program to compete in the College Football Playoff in 2021. Olympic gold medalist volleyball player Jordan Thompson, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and Major League Baseball legend Sandy Koufax are among the several luminaries who have competed as Bearcats.

Job Overview

The University of Cincinnati (UC), Department of Athletics seeks applications for a Mental Performance Consultant. Reporting to the Associate AD, Sports Psychology, the position provides mental performance consulting services for UC varsity student‑athletes participating in Olympics sports including assessment and interaction with student‑athletes and coaching staff. This role enhances the well‑being of student athletes through consistent visibility and team‑based engagement to optimize performance, reinforcing the mental aspects of performance as a foundational component of athletic success. Collaborate and provide education to UC Athletics community while following all professional association standards, state and federal laws, university, conference and NCAA policies and regulations. This is a non‑clinical position.

Essential Functions

• Provide services to student‑athletes and sport programs to develop effective routines that lead to optimal performance.
• Services could include but not limited to: mental skills development, team building, program culture development, goal setting, conflict resolution, resilience training, and performance anxiety reduction.
• Provide consultation and training to coaching staff on communication strategies, integrating mental skills, performance slumps, and interpersonal dynamics.
• Conduct mental performance assessment and make recommendations for skill development.
• Generate/implement performance plans from evidence‑based approaches.
• Assist with program development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Communicate with the department head on progress of mental skills for individuals and teams weekly as it relates to performance, collaboration, and themes.
• May assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures, reviewed annually.
• May assist in training department coaches in mental performance topics as needed.
• Participate as a member of an interdisciplinary team with sports medicine, strength and conditioning, nutrition, coaching staff, and academic support services.
• Documents all athlete contacts accurately and in a timely manner.
• Perform related duties based on departmental need. This job description can be changed at any time.

Required Education

• Master's Degree

Required Experience

• One (1) year of experience within elite, collegiate, or professional sport experience.

Additional Qualifications Considered

• Must have Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) certification.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Office environment/no specific unusual physical or environmental demands.

Compensation And Benefits

UC offers an exceptional benefits package designed to support your well‑being, financial security, and work‑life balance. (UC Benefits) Eligibility may vary by position and FTE status. Highlights include:

Salary/Hourly Pay Rate Information: [[custRCM_PostingSalary]]

Comprehensive Tuition Remission

UC provides tuition remission for you and your eligible dependents, covering tuition costs for nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the university.

Robust Retirement Plans

As a UC employee, you won’t contribute to Social Security (except Medicare). Instead, you’ll choose between state pension plans (OPERS, STRS) or an Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP), with UC contributing 14–18% of your salary based on position.

Real Work-Life Balance

UC prioritizes work‑life balance with a generous time‑off policy, including:

• Vacation and sick time
• 11 paid holidays and additional end‑of‑year paid time off (Winter Season Days)
• 6 weeks of paid parental leave for new parents

Additional Benefits Include

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription)
• Flexible spending accounts & wellness programs
• Professional development & mentorship opportunities

To learn more about why UC is a great place to work, please visit our Careers Page.

UC is an E-Verify employer. If hired into this position, you will be required to provide satisfactory proof of employment eligibility by providing acceptable, original forms of identification for employment verification via the Federal I-9 employment verification process. Click here for a list of acceptable documents.

Equal Opportunity Employer. Building a workplace where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, including Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans. REQ: [[id]]