Director of Athletics

Expectation and Condition of Employment

Howard Payne University, a church-related institution affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, seeks to employ evangelical Christians who are dedicated to teaching and service as they model the principles of the Christian faith and the University’s sincere religious beliefs.

Howard Payne University (hereafter, University) is committed to the integration of learning and Christian faith in the pursuit of truth. Employees are expected to embrace the Christian Mission Statement and Core Values of the University and must support the University’s affirmation of traditional Christian and Baptist beliefs by leading lives of service through active involvement in Christian activities both on campus and through a local church.

Mission Statement

Howard Payne University is a Christ-centered academic community dedicated to excellence by developing and equipping the whole person for intellectual inquiry, personal and professional integrity, and service to God and humanity.

Core Values of Howard Payne University

We believe and affirm that the University as an institution and each individual called to serve the Lord at Howard
Payne should strive to demonstrate a commitment to these five Core Values:

• Centered on Christ   (cf. Col. 3:17, Matt. 7:24)
• Focused on Community   (cf. Eph. 4:4-6, 1 Pet. 3:8)
• Called to Service   (cf. Mark 10:45, Phil. 2:3-5)
• Committed to Excellence   (cf. Gen. 1:31, 1 Cor. 9:24)
• Dedicated to Stewardship   (cf. Gen. 2:15, 1 Pet. 4:10)

As a condition of employment, employees agree to be paid by Direct Deposit. Applicants offered contingent employment based on the University obtaining a clean background check agree the contingent offer of employment may be revoked based on the information obtained in the background check.

If offered employment, your acceptance will indicate that you have read and agree to the Expectations and Conditions above.

Application Procedure

To be considered for this position, please submit the following:

• a letter of application addressing in detail how you meet the position requirements
• a resume or CV (curriculum vitae)
• unofficial transcripts, and
• a completed HPU Employment Application

Job Summary 

The Athletic Director is responsible for effectively leading all facets of the University’s athletic program, including ensuring compliance with all current NCAA rules and regulations, fundraising for all athletic programs, and supervising, monitoring, and evaluating all Athletic department employees. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned by the President.

1. Lead the athletic department to demonstrate the Core Values of HPU and the University Mission Statement
2. Develop a 5-year strategic plan for the athletics department to help drive the departmental vision for competitiveness, game-day experience, fundraising, program growth, personnel development, and alumni engagement
3. Must have a good working knowledge of all sports and provide leadership in recruiting, training, and developing coaching staffs and athletic personnel. This includes providing accountability in day-to-day operations (budget, facility supervision, equipment maintenance, Chapel supervision, roster management, etc.) as well as aiding the recruitment and fundraising strategies and efforts
4. In conjunction with the Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance, implement and monitor NCAA compliance programs for each sport that ensures all coaches make compliance with NCAA rules a top priority
5. Foster a positive and collaborative culture among athletic teams, promoting teamwork, sportsmanship, and student-athlete well-being. Implement and monitor programs to positively impact the academic progress of student-athletes and their actions on and off the playing field and court 
6. Take an active leadership role in fundraising for the University’s athletic programs, coordinating those efforts with the University’s Office of Advancement. This includes developing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising strategy to support the athletic department and the expansion of the Yellow Jacket Club. This will also entail building relationships with alumni, donors, and community members to generate community and financial support for athletic programs, facilities, and scholarships
7. Develop strong relationships with local businesses, organizations, and community leaders to foster support for athletic programs. Collaborate with area K-12 schools for mentoring, coaching clinics, facility use, or field trips to games to inspire the next generation
8. Utilize media and social media platforms to promote HPU athletics, student athletes as well as connect with the alumni, donors, students and local community
9. Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Athletic Director will supervise full-time employees, part-time employees and volunteers directly or through head coaches or department heads.  

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

1. Modeling Christian Faith – Must be committed to modeling the Christian faith; displays a proven record of modeling the Christian faith in business operations, management roles, customer service functions, and interactions with others; is committed to continuing to model Christian faith in a manner consistent with the University’s mission Statement and Core Values
2. Analytical – Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs work flows and procedures
3. Design – Generates creative solutions; translates concepts and information into images; uses feedback to modify designs; applies design principles; and demonstrates attention to detail
4. Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well problem solving as part of a group; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics
5. Project Management – Develops effective project plans; coordinates projects; communicates changes and progress; completes projects on time and budget; and manages project team activities effectively
6. Interpersonal Skills – Focuses on solving conflict without blaming others; consistently maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting them; keeps his or her emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.  Effectively manages difficult or emotional situations; solicits feedback from others to improve effectiveness; responds appropriately to requests for service and assistance from all various constituents; meets commitments
7. Oral Communications – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates effective group presentation skills; participates actively in meetings
8. Written Communication – Writes clearly and informatively; edits his or her work for correct spelling and grammar; varies his or her writing style as needed; presents numerical data effectively; is able to read and interpret written information effectively
9. Teamwork – Balances the needs of the team and individual responsibilities effectively; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts the success of the team above his or her own interests; is able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed
10. Visionary Leadership – Exemplifies Christian integrity and ethics; Displays passion and optimism; inspires respect and trust and motivates others to perform well; mobilizes others to fulfill the University’s Mission Statement while embracing the University’s Core Values; provides vision and inspiration to peers and student-athletes; exhibits self-confidence and confidence in others; influences actions and opinions of others effectively; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others
11. Ethics – Treats everyone with respect; keeps commitments; inspires others to trust him or her; works with integrity and ethically; upholds the University's Mission Statement and Core Values
12. Change Management – Develops workable implementation plans; communicates changes effectively; builds commitment and overcomes resistance effectively; prepares and supports those affected by change; monitors transition and evaluates results
13. Delegation – Delegates work assignments effectively; matches the responsibility to the appropriate person; gives employees the authority to work independently; sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; provides recognition for results
14. Quality Management – Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness
15. Business Acumen – Understands the business implications of his or her decisions; displays an orientation to working within approved budgets and University profitability; demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the higher education industry and the University’s competition; aligns his or her work with the University’s Strategic Plan
16. Cost Consciousness – Works within their approved budget; develops and implements cost-saving measures; conserves University resources
17. University Support – Follows policies and procedures consistently; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports the University’s Mission Statement and Core Values; benefits the University through external community and professional activities; supports affirmative action and respects diversity
18. Judgment – Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in the decision-making process; makes timely decisions
19. Professional Development – Is involved in on-going professional development activities to remain current in his/her chosen teaching discipline
20. Dependability – Follows instructions; responds effectively to his or her supervisor’s direction; takes responsibility for his or her own actions and keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan
21. Initiative – Volunteers readily; undertakes self-development activities; seeks increased responsibilities; takes appropriate independent actions and calculated risks; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities to improve situations; asks for and offers help when needed
22. Integration of Faith in Athletics – Provides leadership that results in athletic department employees continually integrating the Christian faith into their job, consistent with the University’s Mission Statement
23. Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts personal responsibility for his or her own actions; follows through with commitments

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each Essential Duty and Responsibility listed above satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities.

1. Education and Experience – A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required.  A master’s degree is preferred.  One to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience is required
2. Language Skills – Must be able to read, write and converse effectively in English in order to follow the University's Administrative Policies and safely perform the essential duties of the job. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of students, fans, or employees of the University. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches or presentations to University trustees, administration, other employees and the public
3. Math Skills – Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs
4. Reasoning Ability – Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations
5. Computer Skills – To perform this job successfully, an individual should have a good working knowledge of commonly used Internet browsers; Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel software
6. License – Must be at least 21 years of age and maintain a valid Texas driver's license to drive any vehicle, including personally owned vehicles, on behalf of the University
7. Other Required Qualifications – Must be able to travel to appropriate out of town contests and meetings
8. Physical Demands – The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities.
   1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus
9. Work Environment – The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the Essential Duties and Responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities
   1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals used to clean and/or renovate buildings and maintain the grounds of the University. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate