Athlete Fellow

Description

Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm MT on Monday, March 17, 2025.

Are you mission-driven and passionate about helping others succeed?

Do you strive to lead, follow, and act with integrity?

Are you the one who honors your commitments?

Is building trusting relationships an integral part of why you do what you do?

Do you push limits and challenge the status quo?

If you answered YES, then the Athlete Fellowship Program is for you!

Applications

Please include the following in your application

• Resume
• Please include a cover letter that answers the following questions:

• What motivated you to apply for the USOPC Athlete Fellowship program? How does your participation in the program align with your future career goals?
  
  

• How do you envision leveraging your athletic experience to contribute the USOPC as part of the USOPC Athlete Fellowship Program?
  
  

• Please list your top three rotation 1 team preferences. Note: Rotational assignments will be based on applicants interest, career goals and availability.
  

Here's a Summary Of Responsibilities

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) stands at the heart of a global, purpose-driven, multi-sport ecosystem. Together with our partners across this ecosystem, through our love of sport, we are building a better, more inclusive world. We support the vibrancy of our organization and the Movement through the development – opportunities, education, and experiences – of talented, diverse team members, or what we call the Team Behind the Team.

The USOPC is excited to offer an opportunity for Team USA athletes to kickstart their career and join us as part of the Team Behind the Team through the USOPC Athlete Fellowship Program. The Athlete Fellowship Program is a year-long program with two six-month rotations hosted through select USOPC departments for Team USA athletes looking for meaningful work experiences in the world of sport after their athletic careers. Upon completion of the program, our goal is for athletes to have the skills and experience they need to find long-term employment within the Movement. Successful candidates will participate in two rotations (April – September and October – March) with different job responsibilities on two different teams at the USOPC. This fellowship is designed to empower retired Team USA athletes to gain a broader understanding of the organization and the Movement, work closely with experienced professionals in sport, gain hands-on working experience, develop a variety of skills, and contribute to impactful projects across the USOPC.

In addition to gaining valuable work experience, Athlete Fellows will be provided with professional development experiences, including:

• Mentorship
• 1:1 career coaching
• Professional skills development (i.e., interview preparation, resume development, etc.)
• Learning & development opportunities
• Up to two professional development experiences (travel and registration covered)
• Community service
  
  

Here's How You'll Have An Impact

Project & Program Support

• Collaborate with department staff to contribute to ongoing projects. Partner with team members to achieve project goals. Lead projects as assigned.
• Support the development, execution, and communication of project deliverables, including PowerPoint decks, tracking documents, and other materials.
• Contribute ideas and insights during team meetings and brainstorming sessions.
• Learn and understand department programs and initiatives. Provide programmatic support to department staff as appropriate, including tracking program key performance indicators and insights.
  
  

Department Support

• Understand procedures, operations, and logistics of the USOPC business cycle and assist department staff to follow office procedures, remain on-budget, and meet all USOPC deadlines.
• Support the establishment, implementation, and measurement of short- and long-term strategic goals and objectives for department programs.
• Organize, attend, and participate in stakeholder meetings as necessary. Document and follow up on important actions and decisions from meetings.
• Perform relevant data entry for the department. Support department data analytics, as appropriate.
• Support department coordination efforts as needed, including tracking program and project milestones, arranging meetings and travel, and routing contracts and other documents.
  
  

Learning, Mentorship, & Professional Development

• Participate in training sessions and workshops to enhance skill development.
• Proactively seek opportunities to expand knowledge and understanding of the organization and the sport industry. Attend industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to broaden professional networks.
• Engage with people leader to receive mentorship, guidance, and professional development support. Seek, receive, and give feedback regularly.
• Foster relationships with internal and external stakeholders through communications and relationship-building.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Here are the skills and experience you'll need to be effective:

• High school diploma/GED or equivalent work experience
• Must be a retired Team USA athlete and able to work full time (40 hours/week)
• Previous work experience
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Superior interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced cross-functional team environment
• Proven initiative and proactive approach to learning and problem-solving
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Excellent analytical ability
• Proficient or willingness to learn Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  
  

Here Are The Tools, Equipment, & Conditions

• Standard office equipment
• Office environment in a multi-story building on a multi-building site
• Regular attendance at work is an essential job function
  
  

Here's Where You'll Work

• Colorado Springs Downtown Headquarters and/or Olympic & Paralympic Training Center
• Some relocation assistance provided
  
  

Here's Some More Information You Need To Know

• Hiring rate: $56,500
• There are five roles available
• These full time, exempt, temporary positions are intended to work 40 hours per week.
• This is a year –long temporary program with two six –month rotations.

• Rotation 1: July – December
  
  

• Rotation 2: January – June
• Benefits: This position will be eligible for USOPC benefits. You can view a summary here.
  
  
Timeline


• February 18- Applications open
• March 17 – Applications close
• March 21 – Offers extended
• July 7 – Fellows start
  
  
Applications

Reminder - Pleaseinclude the following in your application


• Resume
• Include a cover letter that answers the following questions:
  
  

• What motivated you to apply for the USOPC Athlete Fellowship program? How does your participation in the program align with your future career goals?
  
  

• How do you envision leveraging your athletic experience to contribute the USOPC as part of the USOPC Athlete Fellowship Program?
  
  

• Please list your top three rotation 1 team preferences. Note: Rotational assignments will be based on applicants interest, career goals and availability.
  

Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm MT on Monday, March 17, 2025.

Opportunities at the USOPC

Team Name

Available Rotation

Team Description

Athlete Marketing

Rotation 1 (Jul-Dec 2025)

The USOPC’s Athlete Marketing team works to advance marketing opportunities and financial earnings for Team USA athletes, to help grow the Team USA brand through athlete-led marketing programs, and to provide Team USA athletes with engaging educational resources on topics such as name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights, and personal brand building.

Colorado Springs Olympic & Paralympic Training Center Operations

Rotation 2 (Jan-Jun 2026)

The Operations team at the Olympic & Paralympic Training Center (OPTC) supports day-to-day training center operations through the development of OPTC-approved programs.

Communications

Rotation 1 (Jul-Dec 2025)

Rotation 2 (Jan-Jun 2026)

USOPC Communications serves as the link between Team USA athletes and USOPC athlete support initiatives, and the stakeholders who can help share the amazing stories. With a focus on media, employees, and our universe of athletes and NGBs, we work to create clear and creative communications pathways.

Compliance

Rotation 1 (Jul-Dec 2025)

The Compliance team is responsible for USOPC compliance with the Ted Stevens Olympic & Amateur Sports Act, USOPC bylaws, and the USOPC's policies and procedures. The Compliance team also supports NGBs by providing resources so NGBs have the tools to comply with USOPC requirements and the Ted Stevens Act, and is also responsible for recommending certification renewals for NGBs.

Events & Logistics

Rotation 1 (Jul-Dec 2025)

The USOPC Events & Logistics team is an internal service provider who manages ground transportation, air travel, accommodations, event tickets, event logistics, hospitality, and shipping for internal USOPC events and Games. Our fast-paced and detailed oriented group has the opportunity to bring to life meetings and conferences, award shows, receptions and galas, media events, the White House visit, and international games, servicing a wide spectrum of individuals across the Olympic and Paralympic Movement to include athletes, alumni, USOPC staff, USOPC Board of Directors, donors, sponsors, and international delegates.

Foundation Operations

Rotation 1 (Jul-Dec 2025)

Rotation 2 (Jan-Jun 2026)

Increasing philanthropic support for U.S. athletes is one of the USOPC's highest strategic priorities. Hence, the organization has established the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation (USOPF) as the fundraising organization for the USOPC and is investing significant resources in its Development division. This role is part of the Foundation Operations team who are responsible for our annual fund program, gift processing, analytics and data, games hospitality, and stewardship.

Learning & Development

Rotation 2 (Jan-Jun 2026)

The USOPC Learning & Development team is primarily responsible for two things:

• the strategy and execution of employee learning opportunities, education, and experiences for USOPC staff and as a service provider to the broader Movement (NGBs, LA28, etc.), which includes managing relationships with our educational partners, developing content to help USOPC staff succeed in their current roles, and building infrastructure for team members and leaders to grow and develop throughout their time at the USOPC.
• an organizational program called Game Time, which helps to prepare our staff in a variety of ways to be successful in their Games assignment before, during, and after a Games (primarily Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American, and Parapan American Games).
  
  

NGB Services (Selection Procedures)

Rotation 1 (Jul-Dec 2025)

Rotation 2 (Jan-Jun 2026)

The Selection Procedures team collaborates with NGB and USOPC Sport Performance stakeholders to aid in the development and execution of Team Selection Procedures for Delegation Events.

Sport & Athlete Advancement

Rotation 1 (Jul-Dec 2025)

The Sport & Athlete Advancement team oversees the development and execution of the Sport & Athlete Services strategic initiatives. This four-person team leverages project management, change management, stakeholder engagement, and analytical skillsets to achieve impactful change aligned to organizational strategy.

Sport Technology Operations

Rotation 1 (Jul-Dec 2025)

Rotation 2 (Jan-Jun 2026)

Sport Operations is the centralized department to help streamline the Sport & Athlete Services division’s initiatives across all departments. Sport Technology Operations specifically focuses on the technology and data used to inform daily decisions and execute regular business processes. We focus on project management, business systems analysis, requirement gathering, training documentation, Tableau dashboards, and cross-functional projects.

Unified Communications & Collaboration

Rotation 1 (Jul-Dec 2025)

Rotation 2 (Jan-Jun 2026)

The Unified Communications & Collaborations team in the Information Technology (IT) department is responsible for all communication tools for USOPC locations and events.