Pacers Sports & Entertainment is seeking a Director of Sport Psychology & Team Wellness who will be responsible for all aspects of sport psychology and team wellness for the Indiana Pacers including players, coaches, and basketball staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Conduct psychological assessments to identify individual strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement in current players’ and draft-eligible players’ mental skills such as confidence, motivation, focus, and resilience.
Conduct psychological assessments to evaluate the strengths and challenges of individual coaches and basketball staff members, as well as the overall psychological climate within the coaching and basketball staff.
Provide one-on-one counseling sessions to help athletes develop mental skills, cope with stress, manage emotions, overcome performance barriers, and enhance overall wellbeing.
Provide consultation services to the coaching and basketball staff to help them understand and address the psychological aspects of athlete performance, team dynamics, and coaching strategies.
Facilitate group workshops and team seminars on topics such as goal setting, imagery and visualization, relaxation techniques, and effective communication to enhance team cohesion and performance.
Facilitate workshops and training sessions for staff on topics such as leadership, communication, motivation, and conflict resolution to enhance their effectiveness in working with athletes and managing team dynamics.
Develop and implement customized performance enhancement programs tailored to the specific needs and goals of individual athletes or the team as a whole.
Offer support and guidance to athletes during times of crisis such as injuries, slumps in performance, or personal challenges to help them navigate through difficult situations and maintain psychological resilience.
Offer support and resources to help coaches and basketball staff manage the stress and pressure associated with their role, prevent burnout, and maintain their own mental wellbeing.
Collaborate with coaches, athletic trainers, and other members of the organization to integrate psychological principles into training programs, competition strategies, and team dynamics.
Analyze coaching practices and provide feedback to coaches on their strategies, communication style, and effectiveness in fostering athlete development and performance enhancement.
Assist coaches and basketball staff in fostering a positive team culture, building cohesion among staff members, and promoting a collaborative approach to coaching that enhances teamwork and mutual support.
Assist coaches and basketball staff in resolving conflicts and addressing interpersonal issues within the staff, as well as conflicts that may arise between coaches and athletes.
Provide opportunities for coaches and basketball staff to engage in professional development activities related to sport psychology, leadership, and coaching effectiveness to continually enhance their skills and knowledge.
Conduct research studies to investigate the effectiveness of psychological interventions in sport performance and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of sport psychology.
Engage in ongoing learning and professional development activities to stay current with emerging trends, research findings, and best practices in sport psychology.
Advocate for the importance of mental health and psychological wellbeing in sports and promoting awareness of the role of sport psychology in optimizing athletic performance and overall athlete development.
Advocate for the importance of incorporating psychological principles into coaching practices and supporting coaches in their efforts to prioritize athlete wellbeing and mental health.
Ensure that coaches and basketball staff adhere to ethical guidelines and professional standards in their interactions with athletes, colleagues, and other stakeholders, including maintaining confidentiality and respecting athletes’ rights.
Adhere to ethical guidelines and professional standards in the practice of sport psychology including maintaining confidentiality, respecting athletes’ autonomy, and avoiding dual relationships.
Must have the ability to work a flexible schedule that will include evenings, weekends, and possibly holidays. Travel with the team is a requirement of this position.
Other duties and projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual needs to be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in clinical or counseling psychology with a specialization or focus on sports psychology.
Must be licensed as a psychologist in the state of Indiana.
CMPC certification from the Association for Applied Sport Psychology is highly preferred.
At least 3 – 5 years of experience in elite team sports, preferably basketball, is required. Experience in professional basketball as a sports psychologist is highly preferred.
Knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
Excellent communication skills.
Strong ability to establish rapport, build relationships, and develop trust.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, move heavy objects, use a telephone, use a computer, speak, hear, and write.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the office work environment is usually moderate.
The noise level in the Fieldhouse/game environment is usually loud.
The stress level may become high during certain times.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, marital status, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Indiana Pacers Director of Sport Psychology & Team Wellness