Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations

California State University, Fresno; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

CalPERS participation

Sick and vacation time

Job summary

Fresno State Athletic Corporation is seeking an Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations to provide strategic oversight of facilities and event operations, equipment room operations, and sport programs. This role leads IT support for Athletics and ensures a safe, fiscally responsible, high-quality environment that supports student-athlete success and fan experience.

As a key member of the Athletics leadership team, the role supervises sport programs, oversees scheduling, purchasing,

Qualifications

• Knowledge of NCAA rules, compliance requirements, and athletics operations.
• Ability to supervise staff and coaches, including performance management.
• Understanding of budgeting, fiscal accountability, and cost control.
• Experience overseeing home event operations, safety, and game-day execution.
• Strong scheduling, negotiating, and logistics capabilities.
• Analytical, organized, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities with stakeholders.
• Commitment to student-athlete welfare, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight of facilities, events, equipment operations, and sport programs.
• Supervise assigned sport programs and coaches, including development.
• Lead budget management, purchasing, and cost/revenue analysis with the Athletics office.
• Coordinate with coaches, staff, and campus partners to align operations with NCAA standards.
• Drive cross-department collaboration and continuous process improvement.
• Develop long-term capital planning and facilities growth strategies.

Skills

NCAA rules compliance

Staff supervision

Budget principles

Event operations

Scheduling & logistics

Analytical thinking

Communication

DEI commitment

Financial analysis

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations

Fresno State Athletic Corporation

Compensation and Benefits

• This is a full-time, exempt position.

The Fresno State Athletic Corporation provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, participation in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), and sick and vacation time. A summary of benefit information can be found here (under Athletic Corporation header). Athletic Corporation employees are at-will.

Job Summary

The Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations serves as a leader within the Department of Athletics, providing strategic oversight of facilities & event operations, equipment room operations, and assigned sport programs, and providing operational direction to the IT staff assigned to Athletics. This position is responsible for ensuring operational excellence across all athletic facilities and home competitions while advancing a safe, fiscally responsible, and high-quality environment that supports student-athlete success and enhances the fan experience.

As a key member of the Athletics senior leadership team, the Associate AD provides direct supervision of assigned sport programs and oversees all competitive scheduling, fiscal accountability, purchasing operations, and coach development across all sport programs. The role serves as a primary liaison among coaches, student-athletes, campus partners, and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment with departmental values, institutional priorities, and NCAA standards.

This position assists with long‑term facilities and capital planning initiatives, oversees event management strategy and execution, helps centralize sport program purchasing, and collaborates closely with the Athletic Business Office on budget management, cost and revenue analysis, and fiscal/budget training for coaches & staff. The Associate AD establishes operational standards, drives cross‑department collaboration, and contributes to strategic initiatives related to facilities growth, competitive excellence, and conference alignment.

Through proactive leadership, data‑informed decision‑making, and a commitment to service excellence, the Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations plays a critical role in advancing the department’s operational integrity, financial stewardship, and overall strategic vision.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of NCAA rules, compliance requirements, and athletics operations.
• Ability to supervise staff and/or head coaches, including performance management and professional development.
• Knowledge of strategic planning and budget principles and practices, including the ability to maintain fiscal accountability and monitor expenditures.
• Knowledge of and ability to oversee home athletic event operations, including safety, risk management, and game‑day execution.
• Strong understanding of competitive scheduling, contest agreements, and sport program operational logistics.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to manage multiple high‑profile initiatives simultaneously.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with coaches, student‑athletes, campus partners, and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to student‑athlete welfare, diversity, equity, inclusion, and creating a positive athletics culture.
• Ability to analyze and interpret financial data and make strategic business decisions.
• Review and evaluate program service delivery methods and systems to identify opportunities for improvement and implement changes to standard operating procedures.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in sport management, business administration, higher education administration, or a related field.
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in collegiate athletics administration, including experience in facilities oversight, event operations, and/or sport program supervision.

California State University, Fresno is one of 23 campuses in the California State University System. The University's mission is to boldly educate and empower students for success through our values of Discovery, Diversity and Distinction. The current student population is more than 25,000, including a large percentage of students with diverse and culturally rich backgrounds. The University serves the San Joaquin Valley while maintaining deep involvement with the state, nation, and across the globe.

Metropolitan Fresno, with a multi‑ethnic population of over 527,000, is located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. The campus is within driving distance of Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, San Francisco, Los Angeles, the Monterey Peninsula, beaches, sailing, lakes, and numerous ski resorts. Fresno boasts one of the most reasonable housing markets in California and offers a wide array of locally grown fruits and produce.

Equal Employment Opportunity Information

California State University, Fresno is committed to maintaining and implementing employment policies and procedures in compliance with applicable state and federal equal employment opportunity laws and regulations. Executive Orders 1096 and 1097 prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the basis of a protected status: race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex (including gender identity), sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition and covered veteran status. Fresno State's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring, and retention. We are proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, it is strongly recommended that all employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID‑19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications. Questions may be sent to [e-mail].

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with California State University, Fresno. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Fresno State has identified as sensitive.

The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

This position may be a "designated position" under the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This will require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within six (6) months of assuming office and every two (2) years thereafter.

Fresno State is a tobacco‑free, smoke‑free and vapor‑free campus.

Fresno State is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. (e.g. H1‑B Visas)