Athletics Director - Higher Ed. jobs in Arkansas

Williams Baptist University is seeking applicants to fill the position of Director of Athletics. The Director of Athletics (AD) serves as the Chief Athletics Officer for the University. The AD is responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives for all University varsity and junior varsity athletic programs to assist the University to achieve its mission and express its core values. The AD has primary responsibility for leadership in all matters pertaining to University athletics.

The Director of Athletics must possess innovative leadership abilities; personnel supervision skills; knowledge of complex athletic eligibility issues and policies; financial and legal issues as such pertain to student athletics; and a capacity to administrate university-level athletics operations. Among the many abilities required for this position are leadership & supervision; fundraising; business/financial management; communication & interpersonal relations skills; strategic planning; mentoring & leadership development; administrative & organizational skills.

University Description

Founded in 1941, Williams Baptist University is an evangelical Christian liberal arts college and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The college is located near Walnut Ridge, Arkansas and has an average enrollment of 500 students. Owned and operated by the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, the University takes seriously its identity as a Christian institution in the Baptist tradition. We are committed to producing exceptional graduates prepared to competently engage local and global cultures through a Christ-centered worldview. We accomplish this by providing an excellent, holistically Christian, liberal arts education while compassionately shaping student lives. More information about the University’s history, mission, and vision can be reviewed on this website.

Title:

Director of Athletics

Department:

Athletics

Classification:

Exempt

Salary Grade/Level:

Exempt Full time; Salary-12 month

Essential Functions: 

• Leadership: provide visionary supervision and mentoring for all athletic personnel (coaches, trainers, support staff, student workers, etc.)
• Administration: supervise all decisions, procedures, and activities associated with assigned departments and areas.
• Strategic Planning: provide creative, strategic planning and leadership for athletic departments and programs as well as development & implementation of departmental strategic initiatives.
• Fundraising: in collaboration and coordination with the Vice President for University Advancement, the AD will develop, implement, and coordinate initiatives in athletic fundraising and will actively participate in fundraising initiatives to meet or exceed fundraising goals and objectives.
• Financial Management: the AD will develop, assess, and supervise all institutional budgets associated with this position, including departmental budgets for each athletic program.
• Recruitment & Scholarships: in collaboration and coordination with the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, the AD will develop, assess, and supervise all athletic recruiting roster goals and will oversee all coaches in the management of recruiting efforts and scholarship budgets.
• Eligibility & Retention: in collaboration and coordination with the Director of Athletic Eligibility & Retention and the AVP for Enrollment Management, the AD will ensure that all university athletes meet all NAIA eligibility requirements; the AD will also collaborate with the Director of Athletic Eligibility & Retention, the AVP for Enrollment Management, and the Director of Student Success to develop and implement strategies and initiatives that improve and strengthen the retention of student athletes.
• Spiritual & Leadership Formation: in collaboration and coordination with the Director of Spiritual Life, the AD will develop, supervise, and assist the coaching staff in the spiritual formation and leadership development of student-athletes as expressed in the University mission statement and University core values (the Williams Way).
• Operations: the AD will provide administrative oversight for athletic facilities and for operational oversight/management for athletic events, facilities, and resources; the AD will likewise supervise coaches in the use and care of athletic equipment and facilities.
• General: other administrative and operational responsibilities may be assigned contingent upon the experience and education of a qualified candidate, including all other duties as assigned by the Executive Vice President for Administration and/or the President.

Supervision:

• The Director of Athletics receives direct leadership and supervision from the Executive Vice President for Administration and Campus Life.
• The Director of Athletics provides direct leadership and supervision for the following:
• All varsity and junior varsity coaches
• Athletic trainers
• Student workers assigned to athletics department
• Other athletic personnel as needed or assigned by ExVP

Education & Experience:

• Required: Master’s degree; must have 10 years experience in athletic coaching, programming, operations, and/or administration.
• Preferred: experience with NAIA guidelines and regulations; experience in Christian higher education.

Knowledge, Skills, Competencies:

• Knowledge of effective collegiate-level administrative practices and operations; exceptional commitment to Christian higher education.
• Innovative leadership, public relations, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with coaches, faculty, students, coaches, staff, and parents.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic planning initiatives and administrate complex budgets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Collaborative work habits and ability to establish collegial relationships; able to participate actively in a team environment.
• Organizational efficiency and attention to detail; able to work quickly with high degree of accuracy and to multi-task.
• Ability to handle confidential information appropriately.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, sit, type, and walk for extended periods of time.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time and to lift 35 lbs. 
• Ability to drive a standard university vehicle for extended periods of time. 
• Ability to use standard office equipment.
• Ability to use institutional technology equipment and standard office equipment.

Special Requirements:

• Commitment to the mission of Williams Baptist University.
• Per WBU Employee Handbook policy (40.2): “It is required that all faculty and administrative staff be persons who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and who are active members of a local Christian church which adheres to an evangelical faith consistent with the historic religious beliefs of Southern Baptists.”

AAP/EEO Statement:

Per WBU Policy Statement.

Other Duties:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Application

Applicants should fill out our online application and then send a letter of interest, current resume, and contact information via email to hr@williamsbu.edu. A review of applicants will begin immediately and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.