Director, Strategy and Innovation, Player Health & Safety
$135,000–$170,000 year
On-siteNew York, United States
Job Summary
Lead the strategic vision, roadmap, and execution of the NFL's Digital Athlete initiative and related innovation programs to reduce player injuries. Identify emerging opportunities where technology, analytics, and scientific research improve health outcomes, while evaluating vendors, partnerships, and AI applications across sports science and healthcare. Serve as a central integrator across NFL departments, engineering teams, and AWS partners to align stakeholders on strategy, integration, and delivery. Oversee budget and resource allocation for multi-year innovation agendas, translating complex analytics findings into actionable recommendations for senior leadership. Liaise between the League Office and club medical personnel to triage feedback and ensure timely responses to critical issues.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree
- Minimum 10 years industry relevant experience
- Strong experience leading projects in matrixed organizations, including managing timelines, budgets, and stakeholder alignment
- Advanced analytical and technological acumen with an ability to analyze complex, interconnected problems, map feedback loops and interdependencies, and communicate solutions to cross-functional teams
- Demonstrated excellence in collaborating with others to achieve desired outcomes
- Communication skills (written and verbal) which are equally effective with large and small audiences and on a one-to-one level, including executive-level storytelling and strategic briefings
- 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
- 20% travel
- Onsite presence at an NFL office or stadium location
Desired Qualifications
- Advanced degree
- Experience leading technology, innovation, and analytics-based projects in professional or collegiate sports, or sports injury-related fields
- Experience with AWS cloud computing software
- Experience from strategy consulting, technology, healthcare, analytics, product innovation, or other highly analytical environments
- Candidates may come from leading management consulting firms, major technology organizations, healthcare innovation companies, data-driven businesses, sports organizations, or a combination of these environments
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