What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Athletics position at Ave Maria University?
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
Ave Maria University, a Catholic liberal arts institution dedicated to providing a faith-based education, seeks an innovative, dynamic, and experienced Director of Athletics to lead its vibrant intercollegiate athletic program, which currently sponsors 27 varsity sports. The Athletic Director will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the athletic department, ensuring the alignment of the department’s mission with the university’s Catholic values. The Athletic Director is responsible for fostering a culture that emphasizes academic success, athletic excellence, retention, and recruitment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Leadership and Vision:
- Provide strategic direction, vision, and leadership for the athletic program, ensuring that it aligns with Ave Maria University’s Catholic mission and values.
- Foster an environment where student-athletes excel academically, athletically, and personally, guided by the principles of faith, service, and community.
- Maintain a culture of integrity, sportsmanship, and accountability within the athletic department.
- Program Management and Development:
- Oversee the management and continued growth of the department’s 60 coaches and staff, 27 sports programs, including both men's and women’s teams, ensuring that they are competitive at the NAIA level.
- Develop and implement strategies for enhancing the quality and reputation of the athletics program, including recruitment, retention, and success of student-athletes.
- Ensure that athletic facilities and resources are properly maintained and serve the needs of all sports programs.
- Fiscal Oversight:
- Manage the budget for the athletic department, ensuring fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability.
- Identify and pursue fundraising opportunities, including alumni engagement, corporate sponsorships, and donor cultivation, to support athletics programs.
- Work collaboratively with the University’s administration to secure appropriate funding and resources for athletics.
- Compliance and Governance:
- Ensure that all athletic programs comply with both NAIA and The Sun Conference rules and regulations, university policies, and relevant laws.
- Student-Athlete Support and Development:
- Advocate for the spiritual, academic, and personal development of student-athletes, ensuring they are supported in their academic, athletic, and faith lives.
- Work closely with academic advisors, faculty, and coaches to ensure student-athletes are progressing toward graduation and achieving their academic and athletic goals.
- Promote wellness, mental health, and character development initiatives for all student-athletes.
- Coaching and Staff Development:
- Hire, mentor, and evaluate coaching staffs for all sports, ensuring they are equipped to develop student-athletes in both athletic and spiritual growth.
- Foster a collaborative, mission-driven atmosphere within the department, where coaches and staff work together in support of the overall success of the department.
- Provide ongoing professional development opportunities for coaches and staff.
- Community and Alumni Engagement:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with alumni, local communities, and supporters of Ave Maria University’s athletics programs.
- Represent the university’s athletic program at public events, conferences, and in media interactions, maintaining a positive and engaging public image.
- Support the integration of athletics into the wider life of the university, promoting the value of sports as an extension of Catholic education and community life.
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
EXPERIENCE:
- Significant experience (5 years) in athletics administration, with demonstrated success in leadership, strategic planning, and program management. Experience working within a Catholic, mission-driven environment, is considered valuable.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with university administration, faculty, coaches, student-athletes, and external stakeholders.
- A passion for working with student-athletes, particularly in a setting that emphasizes holistic development — academically, athletically, and spiritually.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Familiarity with the unique challenges and opportunities of running a 27-sport program at the NAIA level.
- Proven success in fundraising
- Prove success in community and alumni relations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Must show a demonstrated knowledge of & strong commitment to the mission of the university and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Exceptional time management and organization skills.
PHYSICAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Requires ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; the ability to stand, walk and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 10 - 20 pounds. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, type and perform data entry, visual acuity to use a keyboard, operate equipment and read technical information, ability to hear in order to answer telephones and to communicate verbally, and the ability to sit for extended periods of time.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed indoors and outdoors and requires seated, standing, and movement work. Occasional travel required.
