Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Administration

Stanford Reglab; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford Reglab in Palo Alto is seeking a senior athletics administrator to oversee varsity sport programs and collaborate with head coaches to promote athletic excellence and student-athlete success. The role emphasizes compliance with NCAA/ACC regulations, resource planning, and strategic leadership across departments.

You will participate in coach recruitment, budget oversight, and event coverage, including travel, while reporting to the Executive Associate Athletic Director for Sports

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Five or more years of experience in collegiate athletics administration.
• Experience working with coaches, athletic administrators, and departmental partners.
• Working knowledge of NCAA regulations, conference requirements, and policies governing intercollegiate athletics.
• Experience supporting sport program planning, day-to-day operations, and the coordination of resources across multiple functions.
• Experience assisting with sport program budgets and expenditure monitoring.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities across multiple programs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee varsity sport programs in collaboration with head coaches to promote excellence and sustained program success.
• Provide guidance to head coaches, ensuring adherence to NCAA/ACC regulations and university policies.
• Participate in head coach recruitment, hiring, and salary recommendations with senior leadership.
• Maintain presence at varsity events; travel as required.
• Assist with budget development and stewardship for assigned programs.
• Collaborate with Athletics leadership and cross-functional partners to address sport-related issues.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Relationship Building

Communication Skills

Leadership

Adaptability & Problem-Solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Budgeted Salary Range: $112,186 – $139,772

Position Overview:

This position supports the administration of assigned varsity sport programs within the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (DAPER), working closely with head coaches to promote athletic excellence, positive student-athlete experiences, and long-term program success. Reporting to the Executive Associate Athletic Director for Sports Administration, the position facilitates effective sport program operations, supports departmental priorities, and contributes to the achievement of DAPER's strategic objectives.

Primary Areas of Focus:

Varsity Sport Program Oversight

• Partner with head coaches of assigned varsity sport programs to develop and implement plans that promote athletic excellence, positive student-athlete experiences, and sustainable program success.
• Provide guidance to head coaches of assigned varsity sport programs, supporting program effectiveness and adherence to NCAA and ACC regulations, applicable laws, and Stanford University and DAPER policies.
• Participate in personnel management processes for assigned sport programs, including head coach recruitment, hiring, performance evaluations, and salary recommendations, in coordination with senior athletics leadership.
• Maintain an active presence at assigned varsity sporting events and NCAA championships, ensuring appropriate sport administration coverage. Travel is required.
• Assist with budget development and management for assigned sport programs, including monitoring expenditures and supporting responsible stewardship of resources.

Sports Administration Team Leadership

• Collaborate with the Executive Associate Athletic Director and fellow sport administrators to coordinate priorities, share information, and support consistent and effective administration across varsity sport programs.
• Participate in Sports Administration team meetings and contribute to discussions, problem-solving, and the development of practices that enhance coordination and operational effectiveness.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Operations

• Collaborate with departmental leadership and functional partners to address sport-related issues, facilitate effective day-to-day operations, and support departmental priorities.
• Partner with academic support, sports medicine, compliance, student-athlete development, and other relevant departments to coordinate resources, address emerging needs, and support the academic, athletic, and personal well-being of student-athletes.

Conference/NCAA Governance

• Collaborate with departmental leadership and functional partners to address sport-related issues, facilitate effective day-to-day operations, and support departmental priorities.
• Partner with academic support, sports medicine, compliance, student-athlete development, and other relevant departments to coordinate resources, address emerging needs, and support the academic, athletic, and personal well-being of student-athletes.

Department Leadership

• Serve as a member of the DAPER Leadership Team, contributing to departmental planning, communication, and implementation of strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with departmental leaders on cross-functional initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness, foster collaboration, and support departmental goals.

Success in this Role Requires:

Success in this role requires a collaborative, resourceful, and solutions-oriented professional who brings:

• Strategic Thinking and Sound Judgment: The ability to assess complex situations, anticipate challenges, and make informed decisions that support sport program and departmental goals.
• Relationship Building and Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust and establish productive working relationships with coaches, colleagues, and university partners.
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication and active listening skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and navigate sensitive conversations with professionalism and diplomacy.
• Leadership and Accountability: The ability to provide guidance, exercise initiative, and follow through on commitments while supporting accountability and program effectiveness.
• Adaptability and Problem-Solvin g: The ability to manage competing priorities, respond effectively to emerging challenges, and approach complex situations with flexibility and sound judgment.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree
• Five or more years of experience in collegiate athletics administration, preferably within an NCAA Division 1 athletics program.
• Experience working with coaches, athletic administrators, and departmental partners to support varsity sport programs.
• Working knowledge of NCAA regulations, conference requirements, and policies governing intercollegiate athletics.
• Experience supporting sport program planning, day-to-day operations, and the coordination of resources across multiple functions.
• Experience assisting with sport program budgets and expenditure monitoring.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities across multiple programs.

Have significant responsibilities for administrative or operational services, functions or programs. Typical duties include developing and administering programs, policies and procedures, performing analyses or acting as a subject matter expert for the function or program. Positions typically include a variety of functions; professionals specializing in a specific field (e.g. facilities, finance) should be classified in the applicable job series. Positions that administer the content of research programs and/or develop curriculum refer to APP series. While these positions often supervise staff, they are primarily individual contributors.

Core Duties:

• Lead the planning and operations for programs or functions that have significant business, regulatory and/or technical challenges requiring subject matter expertise.
• Evaluate programs or functions, policies and procedures. Identify issues, and develop alternative solutions which may include changes to programs, policies and procedures.
• Review and analyze trends to advise and develop recommendations to achieve or modify the goals of the program or function.
• Represent the program or function within the department, unit or school. Commit resources and provide information and/or training. Represent the program or function at the university level and/or to external/internal stakeholders and constituencies.
• Manage and contribute to the development of outreach strategy that may include relationship development, communications and compliance.
• May develop and/or oversee budgets; manage finances including monitoring, analyzing, forecasting, and reporting.
• Assess training needs and may develop associated training.
• May direct and/or supervise staff.
  

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, manage shifting priorities, and handle numerous time-sensitive projects with multiple deadlines.
• Ability to accomplish goals working through formal and informal channels, with diplomacy and tactfulness.
• Demonstrated creativity, problem solving, critical analysis, initiative, judgment and, decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and meet budget goals.
• Demonstrated solid planning and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated experience working independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Strong relevant subject matter knowledge.
• Ability to direct the work of others, for jobs requiring supervision.