Ross has become sporting director Ross Wilson's deputy following the departure of Howe and head of recruitment Steve Nickson, who left St James' Park for Wrexham. The changes come after Newcastle's annual scouting summit, where the club's global recruitment network gathered on Tyneside to discuss its transfer strategy and future targets.
The former Sunderland and Hibernian manager joined Newcastle United's Academy in 2023 before moving into strategic roles within the football department. He became head of football strategy in July 2025 and will now have a more prominent role in first-team recruitment alongside Wilson.
Ross confirmed the promotion on LinkedIn.
"I am excited to share that I have moved to the position of Assistant Sporting Director at Newcastle United Football Club."
His previous responsibilities included providing strategic support to senior staff, overseeing the club's loan and emerging-talent strategy and developing relationships with clubs in the UK and overseas.
The move also brings an end to speculation that Ross could leave Newcastle for the Scottish Football Association. He had been considered for the SFA's chief football officer position earlier this year, before Craig Mulholland was appointed.
Ross will now work closely with Wilson as Newcastle continue to establish the recruitment identity the sporting director has been trying to implement since arriving from Nottingham Forest.
Wilson has previously acknowledged that the club still has work to do despite being satisfied with the direction of the squad and wider football operation.
"I had a clear idea, identity-wise, what I wanted Newcastle to look like, which was absolutely shared by ownership," Wilson said earlier this month.
"The key for us was getting to the end of the window really feeling that identity.
"That doesn't mean it's perfect, it doesn't mean we're over the moon with it, but we're happy where we've got to, structurally and identity-wise in the squad, the coach.
"We're not patting ourselves on the back, but we have to move forwards bravely and strongly. There's still lots of work to be done to get the whole club where we want to get it to."