POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Director of Athletics - West Plains
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 5700
GRADE 44
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Associate Vice-Chancellor for Athletics and Community Engagement
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 Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA), National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA), National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE) and the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), 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. The Director ensures that academic resources are provided for the academic success of each student-athlete along with measuring that success.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A bachelor's degree is required. A bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in a discipline relevant to the multiple tasks and duties expected of the Director is preferred. A Master’s degree is preferred.
Experience: At least two years of related experience in administration is required, preferably at a National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA) program. Demonstrated knowledge of NJCAA rules and regulations governing recruitment, player eligibility and related functions is required. Experience in fund-raising is required. Substantial budgetary experience is required. Coaching experience at the collegiate level is preferred. An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered for substitution of educational requirements.
Skills: Strong oral and written communication skills as well as excellent interpersonal skills are required. Management, budgeting, and organizational skills are required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is 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. 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.2. Ensures compliance with all athletic governing bodies, including but not limited to NJCAA, NIRA, NJCAAE and the NACE, applicable athletic conferences and University rules and regulations, particularly those regarding financial aid and student eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics.
3. Provides leadership in the recruitment effort for the University's intercollegiate athletics program and ensures compliance with NJCAA, NIRA, NJCAAE, and NACE 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.
4. Oversees and 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 in the areas of academic counseling, mentoring and tutoring; while also monitoring the academic progress of participating student-athletes, ensuring the student-athlete remains eligible and ultimately graduates or transfers.
5. In coordination with head coaches, 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Ensures that the quality and quantity of medical care available to student-athletes is appropriate for the particular activity being conducted by providing the Athletic Training Services with guidance and direction regarding such matters as athletic insurance coverage, drug testing, medical care and supervision during athletic events and/or training sessions.
9. 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 NJCAA, NIRA, NJCAAE, and NACE, participating in community and professional organizations, assisting with alumni functions and representing the University, as a spokesperson for intercollegiate athletics, at professional meetings and on professional and community committees.
10. 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 and advertising, in collaboration with University Advancement – West Plains and University Communications.
11. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
12. 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 Associate Vice-Chancellor for Athletics and Community Engagement or Chancellor.
13. Contributes to the overall success of the intercollegiate athletics program by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Associate Vice-Chancellor for Athletics and Community Engagement or Chancellor.
SUPERVISION
The Director of Athletics supervises professional, clerical, and support staff in the Athletics Department.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JUNE 2024
