The Director of Athletics plays a key leadership role in supporting the overall direction and management of the College's NCAA Division III Intercollegiate Athletic Program, which includes 16 varsity sports. The Director reports to and works closely with the Interim President of Dean College and directly supervises administrative staff and head coaches.

The Director provides day-to-day leadership and serves as a role model for student-athletes, coaches, and staff by upholding the values of sportsmanship, integrity, respect, collaboration, professionalism, and student success.
 

This is a 12-month, full-time, exempt position.
 

Position responsibilities include:

• Ensure that the philosophy, vision, and operations of the Athletics Department are aligned with the College's mission and strategic plan.
• Responsible for student-athlete recruitment, enrollment and retention.
• Champion the student-athlete experience by serving as a visible and vocal advocate for their academic, athletic, and personal development needs, both on and off campus.
• Act as a primary spokesperson for the College's intercollegiate athletics program, promoting its achievements and values to internal and external audiences, including prospective students, families, alumni, and the broader community.
• Lead the recruitment, hiring, supervision, mentorship, and evaluation of coaching and administrative staff, fostering a culture of accountability, professional growth, and collaboration.
• Provide strategic oversight and management of the department's operating and capital budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility, resource alignment with institutional priorities, and compliance with all financial policies and procedures.
• Develop and implement comprehensive marketing, branding, and communication strategies to enhance the visibility of the athletics program, increase attendance at athletic events, and strengthen community engagement and school spirit, while ensuring all promotional efforts comply with NCAA regulations and institutional policies.
• Provide leadership and oversight for academic support programs that promote student-athlete academic success, retention, and graduation, in close collaboration with faculty, academic advisors, and campus support services.
• Oversee all aspects of NCAA compliance, including eligibility, recruiting, training, and reporting, to ensure full adherence to NCAA Division III rules and regulations, as well as conference and institutional policies; provide ongoing education to coaches, staff, and student-athletes to foster a culture of integrity and accountability.
• Fundraise and participate in alumni affairs in conjunction with Institutional Advancement.
• Ensure the compliance of all Athletic Department employees with the laws, policies, rules and regulations governing the College and its employees, as well as the rules and regulations of the NCAA, GNAC, and MASCAC.
• Serve as the department representative on various college-wide committees.
• Other duties as assigned and/or required.

Preparation, Training and Experience:

• Master's degree in sports management, higher education administration, or a related field is required.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive leadership experience in intercollegiate athletics, ideally at the NCAA Division III level.
• Comprehensive understanding of NCAA Division III philosophy, rules, regulations, and compliance operations.
• Proven success in senior athletics leadership roles, with the ability to develop, mentor, and manage a diverse team of coaches and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to lead with vision, align goals with institutional priorities, and inspire collaboration across departments.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience with budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation in a complex athletics environment.
• Prior hands-on experience managing NCAA compliance operations and ensuring institutional adherence to regulations.
• Strong public speaking and storytelling skills, with the ability to elevate the visibility and reputation of athletic programs.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, sponsorship development, alumni engagement, and cultivating external partnerships.

Requirements

• Start Date: 9/1/2025 - Approximate
• Education: Master's Degree Required
• Work Experience: 7 - 9 years
• Part/Full Time: Full-Time

Contact / Additional Information

To apply, go to Dean College Job Posting: Director of Athletics.