Athlete Fellow

Description

Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

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!

Application Requirements:

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?

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 retired 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 (July - December and January – June) 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 professional development experiences, including:

- Mentorship program

- 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)

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

Colorado Springs Olympic & Paralympic Training Center

Some relocation assistance provided Here's some more information you need to know:

- Hiring pay $57,784 per year

- This Full-Time, Exempt, Temporary position is intended to work 40 hours per week.

- This is a year –long temporary program with two six –month rotations.

- Rotation 1: June – December

- Rotation 2: January – June

- Athlete Fellows will be assigned to a specific USOPC department and team for each six-month rotation. Rotation placements are finalized closer to the start of the fellowship to support thoughtful matching based on organizational priorities and project readiness. Athlete Fellows will be provided visibility into available departments and the opportunity to share interests prior to assignment.

- Benefits: This position will be eligible for USOPC benefits. You can view a summary here.

Timeline:

- February 2nd – Application Opens

- March 17th – Application Closes

- April 6th – Offers Extended

- June 22nd – Fellows Start

This role will be posted until 3/17/2026.

Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, March 17, 2026.