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Director, Health and Innovation
Director, Health and InnovationNFL • New York, NY, US
Director, Health and Innovation

Director, Health and Innovation

NFL • New York, NY, US
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Director, Health and Innovation

The National Football League (NFL) is seeking a dynamic, strategic, self-driven, research-focused Director of Health and Innovation to join the Player Health & Safety department. The Director of Health and Innovation will be responsible for driving strategies to decrease player injuries and enhance the safety of the game. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, able to both oversee the execution of scientific research and product innovations, as well as synthesize progress and results to make actionable recommendations for senior leadership.

The Player Health & Safety team collaborates closely with other departments across the League to execute outstanding gameday medical operations and develop and implement research and innovation strategies aimed at reducing injuries and promoting player health. 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, all designed to accelerate science and identify new technologies and means of preventing and treating injuries.

Responsibilities :

  • Lead high-priority player health and safety research and innovation workstreams, participating in the development of methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for projects designed to decrease injuries.
  • Contribute to departmental strategic planning and budgeting, and manage budget and resource allocation.
  • Maintain a proactive view of the global sports injury reduction research and innovation space.
  • Lead various innovation initiatives to develop new technologies and approaches to player training.
  • Synthesize research results and data to make recommendations for actionable insights or future innovations to senior leadership.
  • Craft compelling messaging that clearly articulates the results and implications of research and innovation project findings to key stakeholders.
  • Manage multidisciplinary working groups and their injury reduction research portfolios, coordinate their priorities with League and Club experts, and share their findings with relevant stakeholders to advance player health.
  • Oversee vendors and external sources for software, equipment, and services related to player health and safety.
  • Liaise between the NFL League Office and NFL Clubs' medical, training and sports science personnel.
  • Triage feedback from Clubs and vendors; provide vendor and internal support to ensure timely response to critical issues.
  • Work collaboratively with company partners in finance, marketing, sponsorship, management council and football operations to execute health and safety programs and initiatives.

Required Qualifications :

  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree strongly preferred
  • Minimum 10 years industry-relevant experience related to injury research and innovation
  • Strong experience leading projects in matrixed organizations, including managing timelines, budgets, and stakeholder alignment
  • Consulting-caliber problem solver with experience in management consulting, business strategy, or equivalent strategic roles; adept at navigating ambiguity, structuring problems, and influencing senior stakeholders
  • Advanced analytical acumen, with experience in data analysis and / or interpretation
  • 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

    • Preferred Qualifications :

  • Proven success in initiating and overseeing research and innovation projects
  • Previous experience in professional or collegiate sports or other injury-related fields
  • Advanced degree in research-related field (e.g., medical, engineering, public health)

    • 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, 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

    • To apply, please submit a cover letter detailing your interest in this role and highlighting your dynamic leadership experience and strategic impact.

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    Director Innovation • New York, NY, US