Assistant Athletic Director

TITLE: Assistant Athletic Director

DEPARTMENT: Athletics

JOB TYPE: Exempt, Full Time

REPORTS TO:  Athletic Director

WORK SCHEDULE: Variable Hours (Office hours 8am-4pm and availability to work evenings and weekends to support athletic events) 

POSITION OBJECTIVE:  The primary responsibilities include overseeing the operations of the athletic department, ensuring the successful development, implementation, and management of athletic programs, activities, and events. This position requires strong leadership skills, attention to detail, and a passion for supporting student-athletes, coaches, and staff in achieving excellence both academically and athletically.

QUALIFYING CHARACTERISTICS:  The employee is a Christian with an authentic and mature personal relationship with Jesus Christ in both their professional and personal life with a calling and commitment to Christian education. They are dedicated to the mission of Christian education and are fully aligned with GCA’s Statement of Faith and Employee Covenant. Please review our Statement of Faith Agreement.

EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management, Physical Education, Business Administration, or a related field is required; however, relevant experience may be considered. While a Master’s Degree in a similar discipline is preferred, it is not mandatory. Candidates should have sports or coaching experience that demonstrates a solid understanding of athletic programs and operations.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

Leadership and Management 

• Possesses strong leadership, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to effectively manage teams and foster a positive, inclusive, and professional environment for staff, coaches, and student-athletes.

Communication Skills

• Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and build strong relationships with staff, coaches, student-athletes, parents, alumni, and the broader community.

Organizational Skills

• Highly organized with strong time-management skills, able to manage multiple programs, events, and tasks simultaneously, while efficiently coordinating logistics for events, travel, and facility management.

Knowledge of Compliance and Regulations

• Possesses a strong understanding of IHSAA, conference, and institutional rules and regulations, as well as knowledge of Title IX, student-athlete eligibility, and other legal requirements, with the ability to maintain compliance and ensure consistent adherence to policies and procedures.

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

• Possesses strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills to assess situations, identify challenges, develop solutions, and effectively manage crises or unexpected issues, improving athletic performance, facilities, and student-athlete development.

Student-Athlete Development

• Committed to supporting the spiritual, academic, and personal growth of student-athletes, with knowledge of academic support programs, mentorship, and mental health resources to ensure their success in both athletics and academics.

Adaptability and Flexibility

• Able to adapt to a rapidly changing environment, navigate the demands of an evolving athletic program, work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required, and remain calm and focused under pressure during high-stress situations such as game days or crises.

     Ethical Integrity and Professionalism

• Committed to maintaining ethical standards in all aspects of the role, serving as a positive role model for student-athletes, staff, and the community, and demonstrating a high level of professionalism when handling sensitive issues such as player discipline or compliance violations.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist the Athletic Director in overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations of all athletic programs, including MS and HS athletic programs.
• Ensure the athletic department is aligned with the institution’s mission, goals, and policies.
• Coordinate scheduling for onsite and offsite practices, games, and events across all sports.

• Collaborate with AD on supervision of the coaching staff, athletic staff, and student-athletes.
• Assist with the hiring, training, and evaluation of coaches and other athletic staff.
• Provide mentorship and leadership to staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
• Ensure staff members adhere to institutional policies and IHSAA regulations.

• Maintain records and reports for compliance purposes and monitor eligibility requirements for student-athletes.

• Assist with the planning, coordination, and execution of athletic events, such as games, tournaments, and fundraisers.

• Manage or assist with social media accounts, press releases, and promotional materials.

• Manage the cash box including verifying gate receipts and preparing deposit reports.
• Assist with the procurement and distribution of athletic equipment and uniforms, ensuring all teams have necessary resources.
• Assist in coordinating team and individual award programs in collaboration with coaches and athletic staff.
• Assist in the annual review and updates of the athletic and coaches' handbook.
• Collaborates closely with the facilities team to ensure the proper setup of all athletic requirements for programs, including arranging equipment, setting up sports venues, and confirming that all necessary materials and resources are available for each event or practice session.

The above description covers the most significant duties performed, but does not restrict the administration’s right to assign or reassign other reasonable duties, responsibilities, or expectations to this job at any time, with or without advance notice.  The information contained in the job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  The position requires significant physical stamina to remain active during event setup, execution, and teardown, often involving long hours of standing, walking, and moving around the venue. The position also demands the ability to lift and carry heavy equipment, such as sports gear and furniture, often weighing at least 30 pounds or more. Manual dexterity is essential for handling tools and equipment during setup, while climbing, bending, and crouching are often necessary for tasks like setting up banners or arranging seating. The coordinator must be able to endure working in various weather conditions, particularly during outdoor events, and have the mobility to move quickly between different areas of the venue to monitor activities and resolve issues. Strong vision and hearing are critical for spotting potential problems and communicating effectively with staff, athletes, and spectators, and agility is required to adapt quickly and respond to unexpected changes during the event.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Exposure to the elements when crossing campus.  Change in temperature/humidity; potential for excessive noise, using computer/monitor screen; may work alone, around or with others. Exposure to the elements is to be expected while assisting with event