Luther College is using an outside firm to assist in this search. For full consideration of this role. Please apply via the Spelman Johnson careers page. 

The Athletics Department at Luther College is dedicated to providing a championship experience for student-athletes and does this by providing quality coaches, outstanding facilities and equipment, and a challenging competition schedule. The Athletic Director provides strategic leadership for the program in collaboration with other Luther College leaders to ensure alignment with institutional goals and culture. Focusing on three central remits–leadership in supporting student recruitment, the student experience/retention, and a record of success in competition and donor stewardship–the AD will administer the NCAA Division III athletics program at Luther, ensure compliance with federal, Iowa, and NCAA policies, and provide direction and oversight for all aspects of the Luther College athletics program. He/she is responsible for hiring, supporting, and challenging coaches and other staff, managing fiscal affairs, leading strategic planning, overseeing facilities and general operations, and engaging with donors and other constituents in collaboration with the Division of Advancement to contribute to fundraising and stewardship efforts. The Athletic Director manages 41 staff, 22 varsity sports programs, and activities that support approximately 500 student-athletes.

Working Relationships

• The Athletic Director reports directly to the President and works closely with campus leaders including the Cabinet and the Senior Leadership Council, as well as the Exercise Science department, athletic training department and coaching and administrative staff of the Athletics Department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and sound decision making with regard to all Athletics Department matters, including budgeting and fiscal affairs, fundraising, personnel, strategic planning, facilities, public relations, and general operations.
• Ensure an environment that promotes student-athlete health and welfare and a commitment to strong academic values.
• Represent the Luther athletics program to other Luther College offices for cooperation and coordination of goals and objectives for student-athletes.
• Represent the Luther athletics program to the public, NCAA, American Rivers Conference, other colleges and universities, alumni, visitors, parents, prospective and incoming students, visiting teams and all guests of the college, whether on campus, in the community, or elsewhere.
• Support and monitor the recruitment efforts of the coaching staff to ensure enrollment and retention of qualified student-athletes. Support the development of short-term and long-range plans for recruitment efforts and coordinate with the Enrollment Management Collaborate with the Office of Student Success retention.
• Provide mentorship to and ensure accountability for the coaching
• Confer with coaches and approve schedules of all athletics
• Assure compliance with the NCAA and American Rivers Conference
• Coordinate renovations and improvements of athletics facilities in collaboration with other college leaders.

Competencies and Attributes

• Possesses a working knowledge of NCAA Division III
• Possesses utmost integrity in compliance with all NCAA and college policies and a commitment to upholding that same integrity among the coaching staff.
• Experience in
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including management of
• Strong communication skills and experience working effectively with varied

Education and Experience

• Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and at least seven years of experience in college athletics administration and fundraising, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience from which comparable knowledge and skills were acquired. A master’s degree and experience coaching at the college level are preferred. Experience in DIII preferred.

Physical Demands

• Involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.
• Includes exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or the ability to lift, carry, push or pull, or otherwise move objects with a negligible amount of force.