Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics

California State University, Bakersfield; California; On-site; USD 242,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental plans

Vision coverage

CSU tuition waiver

Pension/CalPERS

Vacation & holidays

Job summary

California State University, Bakersfield seeks an Associate Vice President (AVP) & Director of Athletics to provide executive leadership and strategic direction for its NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics program. The role reports to the President and CFO, overseeing athletics programs, facilities, and services to ensure student‑athlete success and wellbeing.

The AVP/Director will manage a multi-million-dollar budget, serve as CSUB’s chief ambassador for athletics, and advise executive

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree and at least ten years of executive leadership experience.
• Experience in intercollegiate athletics, higher education, or similarly complex organizations.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.
• Strong fiscal management and fundraising expertise.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for CSUB Athletics programs, facilities, and services.
• Ensure compliance with CSU, NCAA, Title IX, and conference regulations.
• Lead NIL strategy, revenue sharing, and evolving athletics business models.
• Promote student-athlete academic success, wellbeing, and career preparation.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan aligned with CSUB’s mission.
• Oversee multi-million-dollar budgets and fundraising efforts.
• Advise university leadership on national trends and governance.

Skills

NCAA compliance

Fundraising

Strategic leadership

Financial management

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Centrally located on a 375-acre site in the southern San Joaquin Valley, California State University, Bakersfield is home to the Roadrunners—moving forward at lightning speed and championing intellectual progress. CSUB continuously rises in national rankings for its economic value and commitment to student success. Its students are brilliant and increasingly diverse, with the majority of graduates remaining in the Valley to solve the region’s complex challenges.

The University serves more than 10,000 students at its main campus in Bakersfield and at CSUB Antelope Valley, and counts approximately 67,000 alumni across its four colleges. The campus sponsors 16 NCAA Division I athletics programs and competes in the Big West Conference, Pac-12 Conference, and Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. Learn more here: CSUB Fact Book .

Position Summary

The Associate Vice President (AVP) & Director of Athletics provides executive leadership and establishes the long-term vision and strategic direction for California State University, Bakersfield’s NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics program. Reporting to the President for strategic direction, with a dotted-line relationship to the Vice President for Business and Administrative Services/CFO for operational activities, the AVP/Director is responsible for the overall success and comprehensive administration of athletics programs, facilities, and services to ensure student‑athlete success, wellbeing, and equity. The position oversees the development and execution of a multi‑million‑dollar budget, serves as the primary ambassador for CSUB Athletics, and advises executive leadership on intercollegiate athletics, institutional strategy, legislative changes, and risk management.

Duties & Responsibilities

Athletics Administration & Strategic Planning

• Provide strategic leadership for all NCAA Division I athletics programs, facilities, and support services.
• Ensure compliance with CSU, NCAA, Title IX, and conference regulations.
• Lead institutional strategy regarding NIL, revenue sharing, and the evolving intercollegiate athletics landscape.
• Promote student‑athlete academic success, wellbeing, leadership development, and career preparation.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan aligned with the University’s mission.
• Establish measurable goals for competitiveness, fundraising, student success, and community engagement.
• Advise University leadership on national trends, conference realignment, governance, and legislative changes.

Outreach & Revenue Generation

• Build relationships with alumni, donors, corporate partners, and community stakeholders.
• Partner with University Advancement to develop comprehensive fundraising and revenue‑generation strategies.
• Serve as the chief ambassador for CSUB Athletics.
• Increase visibility through marketing, media relations, and community outreach.
• Strengthen relationships with the NCAA and conference partners.

Budget & Fiscal Responsibility

• Oversee the department’s multi‑million‑dollar operating and capital budgets.
• Ensure compliance with all financial policies and reporting requirements.
• Manage revenue sources including fundraising, sponsorships, ticket sales, fees, and conference distributions.
• Provide regular financial reporting and analysis to University leadership.

Required Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree and at least ten (10) years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience with demonstrated success leading complex organizations, teams, budgets, and strategic initiatives. Experience in intercollegiate athletics, higher education, professional sports, nonprofit organizations, government, or other similarly complex organizations will be considered. Candidates with experience outside traditional intercollegiate athletics who can demonstrate transferable leadership skills and the ability to successfully navigate the evolving landscape of higher education and Division I athletics may be considered.

LICENSES:

Possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Extensive NCAA Division I compliance knowledge including Title IX, equity mandates and conference governance.
• Strong fiscal management and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated fundraising and external relations expertise.
• Strategic leadership and vision.
• Commitment to student‑athlete success, health, safety, and wellbeing.
• Ability to foster an inclusive culture.
• Strong communication, organizational, leadership, and decision‑making skills.
• Knowledge of athletics facilities operations.
• Demonstrated understanding of NIL, revenue sharing, conference realignment, media rights, transfer portal, and evolving athletics business models.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and build effective relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in sports administration, business administration, education, or related field.
• Experience leading an NCAA Division I athletics department through significant industry transformation.
• Demonstrated success securing transformational gifts and capital support.
• Experience collaborating with presidents, governing boards, and cabinet leadership.
• Experience as an Athletics Director or senior Division I athletics administrator.
• Strategic planning, facilities management, conference governance, and customer‑service oriented leadership.

COMPENSATION:

This appointment is in the Management Personnel Plan and is a full‑time, 12‑month position. The pay basis is monthly.

ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE:

$21,667 - $24,167 However, offer amount will be commensurate with candidate’s experience, education, skills, and training

CSU CLASSIFICATION SALARY RANGE:

$10,106 - $32,441

BENEFITS:

CSUB offers a best‑in‑class benefit package for eligible employees that includes an array of medical plans, choice of dental plans, vision coverage, retirement participation in CalPERS, CSU tuition waiver, up to 24 vacation days per year, sick leave with unlimited accrual, 15 paid holidays per year and more! See our benefits website for additional information.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

SCREENING:

Only those applicants possessing experience most directly related to the immediate needs of the office will be invited to appear before a Qualifications Appraisal Board for the purpose of appraising training, experience, and interest in the position.

BACKGROUND CHECK:

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Education Code 89521 Requirements:

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last seven years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

SENSITIVE POSITION:

Sensitive positions are designated by the CSU as requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position, based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of the people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to the CSU or individuals in the university community.

MANDATED REPORTER:

The person holding this position is considered a limited 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, revised July 21, 2017.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

A “designated position” in the CSU’s Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

It is the policy of California State University, Bakersfield to hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to present documentation verifying their right to accept employment. You will also be requested to present a social security card at the time of initial appointment in compliance with state payroll regulations. State regulations require that every state employee sign the Oath of Allegiance prior to commencing the duties of his/her state employment, except legally employed non‑citizens. These individuals are required to sign the Declaration of Permission to Work. The California State University (“CSU”), including California State University, Bakersfield is committed to an inclusive and equitable community that values diversity and fosters mutual respect. All students and employees have the right to participate fully in CSU programs, activities, admission, and employment free from discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and retaliation. The CSU Nondiscrimination Policy prohibits discrimination and harassment based on any protected status, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, prohibited consensual relationships, and retaliation. Campus contact for our Nondiscrimination policy is Allan Williams, AVP of Civil Rights and Compliance, [phone].