Director, Health and Innovation

The Director, Health and Innovation for the National Football League (NFL) is responsible for advancing strategies that decrease player injuries and enhance the game's safety. 

The Director is joining the NFL at a critically important time when the organization has made unprecedented investments into medical research, biomechanical engineering, epidemiology, and data analytics. These investments are designed to accelerate science, identify new technologies and means of preventing and treating injuries, and improve overall safety. 

Responsibilities: 

• Lead high-priority player health and safety research projects, participate in developing methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for projects that contribute to strategic workstream goals. 
• Manage injury reduction task forces and multidisciplinary workstream working groups, and assist in developing goals. Lead execution of the strategies, convene the participants, analyze the results, and make recommendations to improve the health and safety of the game. 
• Lead various innovation initiatives, including contributing to strategic goal setting, leading operational execution, and contributing to budget planning and prioritization. 
• Work collaboratively across the player health and safety department and with internal company partners in finance, marketing, sponsorship, legal, football operations, and management council to execute health and safety programs and initiatives. 
• Collaborate with vendors and external sources for software, equipment, and services related to player health and safety. 
• Liaison between League Office and Club Personnel, including Sports Science, Athletic Training, Physicians, Strength and Conditioning, and Equipment and Field Managers at the NFL Clubs. 
• Support managers at each Club to ensure League initiatives are executed. Ensure all education of League-wide protective equipment research and findings is reported to the League and disseminated.
• Triage feedback from Clubs and vendors; provide vendor and internal support to ensure timely response to critical issues. 

Required Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree (or greater) 
• Minimum 10 years experience in a professional work environment 
• Minimum 5 years industry relevant experience   
• Minimum 8 years of Program and/or Project Management  
• Demonstrated excellence in collaborating with others to achieve desired health and safety outcomes   
• Communication skills (written and verbal) which are equally effective with large and small audiences and on a one-to-one level 
• A style that is open to change and innovation, with an ability to delegate yet control, set high standards and work collaboratively to implement change 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Previous experience in professional or collegiate sports 
• Working knowledge of American Football (enhanced knowledge a plus) 

Other Key Attributes / Characteristics: 

• Lives the mission, vision, culture and values of the NFL. 
• Unquestionable integrity, with an ability to command respect both within and outside of the organization. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to persuade and negotiate effectively and be politically savvy. Recognized as a great listener, learner and strategic contributor. 
• Ability to identify innovation opportunities and incorporate them in ongoing work. 
• Leadership style that builds and maintains a climate of caring, respect and trust and inspires commitment from others to achieve organizational goals. 
• A strong sense of urgency and a bias for action in making sound decisions based on a combination of analysis, experience, judgment and personal/business maturity. 

Physical Demands: 

• None 

Travel: 

• 20% 
   

Salary / Pay Range

• This job posting contains a pay range, which represents the range of salaries or hourly rates that the NFL believes, in good faith, at the time of this posting that it might be willing to pay for the posted job in the location(s) specified. The NFL expects to hire for this position near the middle of the range. Only in truly rare and exceptional circumstances, where an external candidate has experience, credentials or expertise that far exceed those required or expected for the position, would the NFL consider paying a salary or rate near the higher end of the range. 

Terms /Expected Hours of Work: 

• NFL employees are required to work 40 hours per week. This role will require time over 40 hours per week and weekends. FLSA Exempt. 

At the NFL, in-person work at our offices is a top priority because it allows us to collaborate more effectively, build stronger connections, and maintain the culture that drives our success. This role requires onsite presence at an NFL office or stadium location, and remote and/or hybrid working options are not offered.

NO RELOCATION ASSISTANCE WILL BE PROVIDED.

The NFL is committed to building an inclusive work environment that reflects our incredible fan base. We provide an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all employees and applicants without regard to status as protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. 

WHO WE ARE:

NFL Core Values:

• Respect: Everyone matters. We celebrate diverse opinions, honor hard work, and value every contribution.
• Integrity: We do what's right, even when it's tough. We hold ourselves accountable and always follow through.
• Team Responsibility: We support each other and our communities. No one is bigger than the game, and every action impacts others.
• Resiliency: We set high standards, overcome adversity, and adapt to challenges, always striving for excellence.

NFL Leadership Attributes:

• Build Talent: We develop and nurture potential, empowering individuals to grow and succeed.
• Execute: We take action with precision, delivering results that drive our goals forward.
• Inspire: We motivate others through vision, energy, and a commitment to excellence.
• Live Our Values: We embody our core principles in every decision and action.
• Know the Business: We stay informed, understand our industry, and make decisions that strengthen our position.
• Think Big: We challenge the status quo, envision bold possibilities, and strive for transformative impact

WHO YOU ARE:

Talent Attributes:   What we expect for our employees:

• Embody an enthusiastic, proactive can-do attitude 
• Embrace grit, free from ego or entitlement
• Excel as a relationship builder, with the ability to influence
• Eager learner, driven by passion rather than just ambition
• Encompasses an incredible work ethic with an agile mindset