UNIVERSITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

The primary responsibility of an Athletic Director is to oversee all aspects of the athletic programs that are sponsored by a school or an institution. This includes the hiring of staff and coaches, ordering equipment for teams, promoting events, matches, and meets. Directors must be skilled in budgeting and allocating funds and facilitating operations. The Athletic Director may also participate in fundraising for the teams and provide guidance to the students in the sports program. Athletic Directors also supervise all sports personnel and resolve any administrative issues. In addition to scheduling games and events, the athletic director will collaborate with the coaching staff on scheduling game days and practices throughout the sports season, ensuring no scheduling conflict occurs between different teams for use of shared equipment like weight rooms and athletic trainers’ attention. Athletic Directors must also keep track of policy changes from the school board and coordinate with organizations that set parameters within the field such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The NCCAA currently sets regulations for recruiters from colleges and professional teams interacting with high school recruits.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides strategic and visionary leadership, planning, and policy development for the Athletics Department.
• Establishes and maintains a department that is committed to the University’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Sets clear departmental expectations for ethics, accountability, competitiveness, and student academic achievement and student services.
• Serves as a visible member of the management team on Campus and in the community.
• Develops and administers the annual athletic budget and reviews and controls expenditures from athletics’ accounts.
• Recruits, supervises, manages, trains, and evaluates the athletic department staff.
• Strengthens all sports to be competitive at a championship level.
• Works with University Advancement to create, design, and execute initiatives and special projects regarding development and fundraising efforts and maximizes all channels of revenue generation to include corporate sponsorship.
• Ensures the athletic department remains in compliance with applicable Athletic Association and University rules and regulations governing all facets of intercollegiate athletics.
• Develop and implement a departmental strategic plan that aligns with the mission and objectives of the university and ensures that the established recruiting goals of the department are met.
• Ensures that coaches and all athletic staff collaborate and execute the athletic strategic plan to meet the recruiting and admission of viable student-athletes to validate the viability of all sports programs.
• Stays abreast of current and developing trends (industry, regulatory, and technologically).
• Maintains active involvement in relevant athletic associations and conferences.
• Advances the University’s reputation and always demonstrates personal and professional integrity.
• Sustains effective relationships with students, alumni, friends, faculty, staff, administrators, and the South Florida community regarding athletics and student services.
• Liaise with sports conferences or division administrators on the department’s behalf.
• Inspecting facilities and equipment for cleanliness, safety, and upkeep.
• Approving the purchase of necessary equipment and facility upgrades.
• Promoting a culture of compliance, safety, and accountability among staff, coaches, student-athletes, and volunteers.
• Follows the guidance and direction of Senior Management.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of five years of successful senior management experience, with demonstrated strong leadership skills, business judgment, and a collaborative and innovative work style required in the sports industry.
• Expertise and current knowledge of industry concepts, practices, and procedures required.
• Track record of leading performance and outcome-based organization with strategic vision required.
• Experience in brand marketing, public and media relations, and fundraising required.
• Master’s degree required. Preference will be given to those with an advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., Sports Management, Sports Administration, Business Administration)
• Ability to travel to fulfill required duties and assignments required.
• This role requires a clean or acceptable driving record.
• Background checks will be performed
• Coaching experience at the collegiate level helpful

Salary Range: $60,000 – $80,000

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Individuals who meet these requirements must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching philosophy statement, original transcripts for all academic degrees, and three professional references to athleticcareers@uftl.edu.