Director of Athletics

UAB group; Birmingham (AL); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) seeks a visionary Director of Athletics to lead an 18-sport NCAA Division I program in the American Conference. You will advance competitive excellence, academic achievement, and holistic student-athlete development while growing philanthropy and partnerships.

You will guide strategic planning, financial sustainability, and brand opportunities, while ensuring compliance and ethical leadership across the department and university community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of related experience.
• Strong strategic and financial planning and leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop a long-term vision for UAB Athletics and set strategic priorities.
• Establish measurable goals, accountability, and stewardship mechanisms.
• Collaborate with University executives on conference dynamics, NIL, and revenue sharing.
• Develop revenue-generation strategies including philanthropy, sponsorships, partnerships, and ticket sales.
• Recruit, hire, develop, and retain coaches and athletic administrators.
• Foster a high-performing culture rooted in trust, transparency, and integrity.
• Represent UAB Athletics and strengthen ties with alumni, donors, partners, and the Birmingham community.
• Ensure compliance with NCAA, conference, and university rules and Title IX.
• Support student-athlete academics, development, and well-being.

Skills

Strategic planning

Financial planning

Staff leadership

Fundraising

Communication

Relationship building

Compliance awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Director of Athletics (T240739)

Job Description - Director of Athletics (T240739)

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) seeks a visionary and innovative Director of Athletics to lead UAB Athletics during a transformative period in intercollegiate sports. As the leader of an 18-sport NCAA Division I athletics program competing primarily in the American Conference, the Director of Athletics will be responsible for advancing competitive excellence, supporting the academic achievement and holistic development of student-athletes, strengthening financial sustainability, and engaging the university, Birmingham community, alumni and supporters around a compelling vision for the future of Blazer Athletics.

The next Director of Athletics will inherit a department with significant institutional momentum, including substantial investments in athletics facilities, strong academic performance and a growing university and community. At the same time, the rapidly changing collegiate athletics landscape creates an opportunity for an entrepreneurial leader capable of developing new revenue streams, strengthening philanthropy and corporate partnerships, maximizing media and brand opportunities, and strategically managing student-athlete revenue sharing and other emerging competitive investments.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop, articulate, and execute a comprehensive long-term vision for UAB Athletics
• Establish strategic priorities, measurable goals, accountability, and stewardship measures
• Collaborate with University Executive to navigate conference dynamics, NIL, and revenue sharing
• Develop innovative revenue-generation strategies including philanthropy, sponsorships, partnerships, and ticket sales
• Recruit, hire, develop, and retain talented coaches, administrators, and staff
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture rooted in trust, transparency, professionalism, integrity, respect, and UAB values
• Serve as a visible ambassador for UAB Athletics and strengthen relationships with alumni, donors, corporate partners, fans, and the Birmingham community
• Ensure compliance with University of Alabama System, university, conference, NCAA, and Title IX rules and regulations
• Foster student-athlete academic achievement, personal development, health, and well-being

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field; advanced degree preferred
• Ten (10) years of related experience
• Significant experience in strategic and financial planning, as well as in organizational development and personnel management
• Experience in recruiting and hiring of exceptional coaches and athletic administrators
• Effective written and verbal and presentation skills, and the ability to communicate complex issues in a succinct and cogent manner to a variety of audiences
• Ability to build relationships and maintain leadership presence in all situation
• Ability to be a highly engaged and motivated leader
• Ability to be self-motivated with a high degree of personal initiative
• Ability to achieve strategic initiatives and attain organizational goals
• Analytical and problem solving skills
• Strong prioritization skills for competing requests and meeting diverse customer requirements

Primary Location

University

Employee Status

Regular

Shift: Day/1st Shift

Work Arrangement: Remote/Hybrid Eligible

UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, and veteran’s status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB's Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.