Deputy Athletic Director

Deputy Athletic Director
External posting
Full-Time, Exempt , Administrative/Professional

JOB SUMMARY: This position oversees the administration of the Athletics Department budget and business functions, coordinates athletic sponsorship programs, supervises multiple sports programs, and serves as the department’s liaison to Human Resources. The role involves strategic planning and collaboration with the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics to establish and achieve departmental goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Budget and Financial Oversight

• Administer the departmental budget, including creating, communicating, and implementing policies and procedures for financial operations, purchasing, travel, and human resources.
  
• Provide financial analysis, reports, and expenditure approvals; recommend changes to enhance efficiency.
  
• Collaborate with coaches to manage scholarship budgets and ensure alignment with roster and budget constraints.
  
• Develop and monitor annual department and project budgets in coordination with the Controller’s Office.
  
• Maintain and reconcile department accounts, including payroll, expenses, and purchase orders.
  
• Assist with NCAA, EADA, and GLIAC reporting in partnership with Compliance Services and the Controller’s Office.
  
• Train employees on budget procedures and departmental policies.

Revenue Generation and Sponsorships

• Oversee revenue-generating units, including fundraising, ticket sales, and corporate sponsorships.
  
• Coordinate sponsorship programs, marketing, and promotions for the department’s 21 NCAA Division II sports.
  
• Collaborate with coaches on sport-specific fundraising and work with University Foundation staff to create major initiatives.
  
• Support community engagement initiatives through partnerships with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Strategic Planning

• Partner with the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics to develop and execute the department’s strategic plan.
• Focus on revenue generation, resource allocation, and facility master planning to enhance the student-athlete experience and competitiveness.

Human Resources Liaison

• Act as the Athletics Department liaison to Human Resources, managing job descriptions, hiring, onboarding, and professional development.
  
• Assist with position management, compensation updates, and job requisitions in collaboration with HR staff.

Sport Program Supervision

• Provide oversight, training, and support for multiple sports programs.
  
• Assist head coaches with budgeting, travel, scheduling, and personnel matters.
• Serve as a point of contact for coaches’ concerns and operational issues.

Additional Essential Responsibilities

• Abides by NCAA Bylaws 10.1 and 11.1 regarding ethical conduct and the responsibility to positively contribute to a campus culture of NCAA rules compliance.
  
• Represent the Athletics Department at events, on committees, and in speaking engagements.
  
• Assist with compliance, facilities management, and game-day operations as needed.
  
• Act as the Vice President’s representative during their absence.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Supervision is provided by the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Serves as the sport supervisor for multiple programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Business, Sports Management, Finance, or related field.
  
• 5-7 years related work experience, in budget management, financial operations, or administration in an athletics or similar environment.
  
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff or managing multiple programs.
  
• Proficiency in Office 365 suite (to include Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and ability to learn specialized software.
  
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to take initiative and prioritize multiple assignments.
  
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  
• Ability to work independently and under occasional pressure.
  
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and public relations skills.
  
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
  
• Valid drivers license and ability to travel as needed.
  
• Experience and ability to positively interact with diverse student populations and groups
  
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree in Business, Sports Management, Higher Education Administration, or related field.
  
• 5-7 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in collegiate athletics.
  
• Familiarity with NCAA compliance, reporting requirements, and athletic department operations.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Duties are generally performed inside but include outside seasonal activities.

Some weeknights and weekends, including intermittent travel, will be required.

The above reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job. It shall not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements that may be inherent in the job. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.

About SVSU:
Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 100 programs of study for its roughly 7,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to a supportive and empowering environment for students, faculty and staff. For nine consecutive years, SVSU has been recognized as a “Great College to Work For” (2016-2024).

SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching and learning, and community-based research. SVSU earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation.

SVSU is establishing itself as a leader in STEAM education for the Great Lakes Bay Region, partnering with businesses, foundations and school districts to improve students’ performance in math, science and the arts at the middle school, high school and university levels. SVSU is building the first university research station on Lake Huron, expanding its commitment to freshwater research and public health.

More than 70 percent of SVSU freshmen live on campus in student housing that has been rated No. 1 among public universities in the U.S. (2018-2024). SVSU fields 20 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. The average class size is 23 students.