POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Director of Athletics
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 5660
GRADE Unclassified
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR President
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Director of Athletics is the chief administrator for the University's intercollegiate athletics program and establishes policies and procedures that achieve the parallel goals of development of quality, competitive athletics teams and support of the individual educational goals of student-athletes. The Director ensures University compliance with applicable National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), athletic conferences and University rules and regulations governing all facets of intercollegiate athletics programs. The Director supervises a staff of athletic coaches, professional and support personnel, develops and manages operating budgets for the intercollegiate athletics program, and participates in fund-raising activities as appropriate.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor's degree is required, with an emphasis in a discipline relevant to the multiple tasks and duties expected of the Director. A Master’s degree is preferred.
Experience: At least five years of experience in athletics administration is required, preferably at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level athletic program. Demonstrated knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations governing recruitment, player eligibility and related functions is required. Substantial budgetary experience is required. Experience in external relations is required. Experience at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) is preferred.
Skills: Strong oral and written communication skills as well as excellent interpersonal skills are required. Management, budgeting, and organizational skills are required.
Other: The scope of the position frequently requires weekend and evening work and requires overnight, out-of-town travel.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Leads our institution’s strategic initiatives in navigating the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights for student-athletes. Develops and implements policies that ensure our athletes can capitalize on their personal brands while maintaining compliance with NCAA regulations and fostering a supportive environment for their academic and athletic pursuits.2. Spearheads our institution’s strategic transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), driving initiatives to elevate our athletic programs. Orchestrates comprehensive plans encompassing facilities upgrades, recruitment strategies, and financial planning ensuring seamless integration into the competitive landscape of FBS football.
3. Ensures that the University's intercollegiate athletics program achieves the parallel goals of development of quality, competitive athletics teams and support of the individual educational goals of student-athletes through management of the personnel, budgetary, facility, and equipment resources available to the athletics program, development of policies and procedures designed to assure achievement of internally and externally established goals and objectives, and continuous evaluation of individual and unit performances toward achievement of those goals and objectives.
4. Ensures compliance with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), applicable athletic conferences and University rules and regulations, particularly those regarding financial aid and student eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics, by delegating compliance responsibilities to the Associate Director of Athletics and the Assistant Director of Athletics-Compliance.
5. Provides leadership in the recruitment effort for the University's intercollegiate athletics program and ensures compliance with NCAA rules and regulations governing the recruitment of student-athletes by providing guidance and/or policies to team coaching staffs that engenders compliance with recruiting rules.
6. Facilitates the attainment of personal development and academic goals by student-athletes through engendering a philosophy which promotes those goals and establishes an environment conducive to both, maintaining an accessibility for student-athletes whether for athletic or academic matters, providing opportunities for academic assistance to student-athletes if required, and monitoring the academic progress of participating student-athletes.
7. Develops a schedule of intercollegiate athletics contests which supports the established goals for the athletics program and assures that the program operates with the lowest possible subsidy from the University by developing strategies for marketing the athletics program that generate significant revenues, coordinating specific game dates among the various athletics teams and with other universities and colleges, ensuring that the schedule includes an appropriate balance of home and away games and that required facilities (i.e., fields, courts, arenas) are available to support the schedule.
8. Advises the University President and senior administrative officers on issues relating to intercollegiate athletics, its trends, problems and other pertinent matters by making reports, recommendations, presentations, findings and preparing other correspondence as required or directed.
9. Develops a competent and effective coaching staff by recruiting and hiring qualified head coaches, providing guidance on departmental or University policies and coaching philosophy, encouraging professional development through participation in coaching decisions and recruiting activities, being accessible to coaches as needed, evaluating and providing assessments of their performance.
10. Manages funds by supervising the business operation of the athletics program, planning and developing an annual budget for the intercollegiate athletics program which includes equipment, facility, training or related resource needs, performing budget reconciliations, and exercising final authority over departmental expenditures.
11. Ensures that the quality and quantity of medical care available to student-athletes is appropriate for the particular activity being conducted by providing the Director of Athletic Training Services with guidance and direction regarding such matters as athletic insurance coverage, coordination with physicians to ensure proper care and supervision during athletic events and/or training sessions, maintenance of medical rehabilitation equipment, and the student athletic trainer program.
12. Ensures that the University obtains the most favorable commercial broadcast conditions (both radio and television) by developing bid specifications for radio and television contracts and assisting with negotiations for local radio and television rights.
13. Facilitates charitable giving by donors thus enhancing the University's ability to meet established athletic fund-raising goals by assisting with the planning, coordination and supervision of fund-raising events and promotional activities for intercollegiate athletics.
14. Promotes a positive image of the University and its intercollegiate athletics program by working cooperatively with the commissioners of the various athletic conferences, leagues and the NCAA, participating in community and professional organizations, assisting with alumni functions throughout various cities and states, and representing the University, as a spokesperson for intercollegiate athletics, at professional meetings and on professional and community committees.
15. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as required by the President.
16. Contributes to the overall success of the intercollegiate athletics program by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the President.
SUPERVISION
The Director of Athletics is supervised by the President and supervises professional, clerical, and support staff of the Intercollegiate Athletics Department.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JUNE 2024