Deputy Athletic Director for Business Strategy/CFO

UC Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 108,100 - 204,900; Full time

Job summary

UC Santa Barbara's Intercollegiate Athletics department seeks a Deputy Athletic Director for Business Strategy/CFO to lead financial and operational functions, guide multi-year sustainability, oversee budgets and revenue streams, and align NCAA NIL strategy with campus goals.

This senior role reports to the Athletic Director, requiring extensive higher education finance and leadership experience, with flexibility for after-hours work to meet reporting deadlines.

Qualifications

• Experience with financial data management and reporting systems.
• Proficiency in spreadsheet and database software.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead and manage a team.
• Knowledge of fund accounting.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial and operational planning for Intercollegiate Athletics.
• Oversee budget development and revenue streams, including NIL strategy guidance.
• Advise Athletic Director on financial matters and contracts.
• Coordinate strategic planning with campus partners.
• Ensure internal controls and compliance for university resources.

Skills

Financial processes

Spreadsheet software

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Fund accounting

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in a related area

Equivalent experience or training

Tools

Database software

Spreadsheet software

Job description

Deputy Athletic Director for Business Strategy/CFO

Location: Intercollegiate Athletics – 2205C

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, with occasional nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Salary Range: $108,100 to $204,900 per year.

Job Summary

The Deputy Athletic Director for Business Operations/CFO provides financial and operational leadership to Intercollegiate Athletics, overseeing all administrative functions and serving as a C‑suite liaison to campus partners. This role leads the development of a multi‑year financial sustainability plan, manages the department’s budget and revenue streams, and provides strategic guidance on NCAA NIL strategy and initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership and Management – Primary advisor to the Athletic Director on all financial matters; oversee business and finance, human resources, and IT resources; manage staffing and personnel matters; negotiate and review business contracts; provide strategic support for coaching personnel matters.
• Resource Management – Lead annual budget process, re‑allocation frameworks, and financial modeling for operational and strategic planning; oversee capital and operating resource allocation; maintain revenue model for NCAA and Big West distributions, sponsorships, ticket sales, and other external revenue sources.
• Planning, Analysis, Forecasting and Assessment – Integrate short‑ and long‑term fiscal planning with central university initiatives; conduct complex financial analyses; develop solutions for policies, processes, or procedures that require resolution; lead NCAA Agreed‑Upon‑Procedures engagement.
• Strategic Revenue Generation – Oversee and optimize all revenue generation opportunities and contracts, including apparel sponsorships, facility rentals, corporate sponsorships, and ticketing/merchandise.
• NCAA NIL Strategy and Initiatives – Provide strategic leadership for NCAA NIL strategy and initiatives; develop and maintain internal controls aligned with new NCAA and conference requirements.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of financial processes, policies, and procedures and of financial data management and reporting systems.
• Proficiency in spreadsheet and database software.
• Strong interpersonal, service orientation, and verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to multi‑task in a high‑volume environment.
• Strong critical thinking, analytical, and decision‑making skills.
• Exercise sound independent judgment.
• Ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Ability to function effectively as a member of a team.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Thorough knowledge of internal control practices and their impact on protecting university resources.
• Leadership skills to provide guidance, coaching, and mentoring to professional and support staff.
• Demonstrated knowledge of fund accounting.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience or training.
• 4–6 years of work experience in higher education.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of work experience in higher education as an administrator.
• 4–6 years of work experience in Human Resources, including recruitment, employment contracts, and a general understanding of labor law.
• Professional certification (e.g., CPA, CFA, CMA).

Special Conditions of Employment

• Must be able to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed to meet reporting deadlines.
• Mandated reporting requirements of Child Abuse.
• UCSB Campus Security Authority under Clery Act.
• Satisfactory criminal history background check.
• UCSB is a Tobacco‑Free environment.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer must disclose any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining misconduct or any appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a prior employer. Misconduct includes violations of policies governing employee conduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Reasonable Accommodations

The University of California endeavors to make the job application process accessible to any and all users. For accommodation requests, please contact Katherine Abad in Human Resources at 805‑893‑4664 or email [e-mail]. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.