Director of Athletics

Pfeiffer University; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Paid time off

Volunteer leave

Retirement plan

FSAs

Job summary

Pfeiffer University in North Carolina seeks an experienced leader to serve as Director of Athletics. The role partners with senior administration to guide student-athletes, coaches and staff toward excellence in academics and competition.

The Director will oversee enrollment collaboration, fundraising, and strategic planning, while ensuring compliance with NCAA and conference rules and fostering a culture of care for staff and athletes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience in budget management and fundraising.
• Strong teamwork, interpersonal and analytical abilities; initiative, creativity, negotiation and motivating skills.
• Knowledge of NCAA regulations.
• Ability to multi-task.

Responsibilities

• Develops plans, creates policies and programs compliant with NCAA, USA South rules and department objectives.
• Coordinates recruitment, selection, and evaluation of coaches; supervises the sports revenue program.
• Manages budgeting and fundraising efforts in coordination with Institutional Advancement.
• Represents the department in meetings with University leadership, conference, NCAA and donors.
• Oversees long-term planning for facilities, staff expansion and program development.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Fundraising

Communication

NCAA compliance

Teamwork

Multi-tasking

Strategic planning

IT literacy

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Misenheimer Campus - Misenheimer, NC 28109Position Type: Full-Time StaffEducation Level: Bachelor's degreeTravel Percentage: Travel requiredJob Shift: DayJob Category: Education

Pfeiffer University, located in the beautiful central piedmont region of North Carolina, seeks an experienced and strategic leader with a strong record of progressively responsible leadership to serve as the university's Director of Athletics. The Director of Athletics will have the opportunity to work with the president’s cabinet and an increasingly engaged body of alumni to serve coaches, athletic staff, and student-athletes that together produce graduates who serve our region and who have helped the department rapidly climb the rankings in pursuit of the USA South “President’s Cup.” As of May 12, 2025, Pfeiffer’s men’s athletic teams tied for 1st place in the President’s Cup and the department rates 3rd overall.

• Men’s Basketball
• Men’s Cross Country/Track and Field
• Men’s Lacrosse
• Softball

Pfeifer’s athletic programs have many reasons to be excited about the present and the future. The university’s athletic department employs a committed staff with expertise in areas such as NCAA compliance, transportation, and sports information.

Priorities

1. 1: Enrollment (recruitment and retention)Pfeiffer’s student recruitment program is strong, and continuing the positive relationship between the VP of Enrollment Management and the athletic department is vital. Additionally, the successful candidate will have a strong desire to work with the academic and student development divisions. Pfeiffer believes that in the modern era the university must be committed to helping hard-working student-athletes attain an undergraduate degree.
2. 2: CompetitivenessPfeiffer’s athletic department has been consistently rising in the USA South Athletic Conference “President’s Cup” standings (one metric used by Pfeiffer’s administration to measure the strength of the department’s competitiveness). The successful candidate will articulate a continued vision to strengthen the department's competitive standing.
3. 3: FundraisingFundraising is a vital and integral component of this position to ensure the future success of our programs. The successful candidate will demonstrate a deep understanding of program and facility related fundraising methodologies and a genuine interest in growing in this area.
4. 4: Character DevelopmentThe University's combination of small class sizes, student-focused education, welcoming environment, and innovative and high-margin graduate programs have long been the foundation of Pfeiffer’s success. The new athletic director will have the opportunity to join an amazing group of committed scholars, teachers, coaches, chaplains, counselors, and other mentors. Together, all of these persons combine to develop our students into persons who will, in the words of the university’s founder, “lead lives of useful service.” The new athletic director will take a leadership role among this group. The successful candidate will demonstrate an understanding and care for the aspect of Pfeiffer University's mission.
5. 5: Care for our Coaches and StaffPartially because of strong leadership, and partially because we are situated in such a great region, Pfeiffer has a talented and committed coaching and support staff. The climb in the USA South President’s Cup standings is evidence of this. The next athletic director will demonstrate the ability to push our coaches and student-athletes to the “next level,” but will also care deeply for them. From coaches to athletic trainers, from gameday operations to compliance experts, our employees care deeply for students.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops plans, creates policies, procedures, and programs which are in compliance with NCAA, USA South Athletic Conference and University rules and regulations and which reflect the overall philosophy and objectives of the department. Responsible for coordinating departmental fundraising efforts in cooperation with Institutional Advancement.
• Interfaces with the Athletic Policies Board on all matters requiring Board knowledge or recommendation (e.g. issues of policy, schedules, etc.)
• Coordinates the recruitment, selection, and evaluation of all coaches. Supervises the sports revenue program through each head coach.
• Ensures that coaching and administrative staff actively support the University and Department’s joint commitment to academic achievement for each student-athlete.
• Ensure coaching staff follow all guidelines established for recruiting of student athletes.
• Reports to and assists the Faculty Athletic Representative in investigating all cases where a violation has or may have occurred. Consults with the FAR for interpretation of applicable rules, and clarifies conflicts of opinion with the President of the University.
• Serves as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Falcon Club.
• Develop and implement long-term planning regarding not only fiscal needs for operations and capital improvements, but also internal goals for strengthening the Department through staff expansion and program development.
• Formulates budget guidelines, approves budget appropriations for each area, and monitors compliance with budget as approved by the University Board.
• Represents the Department at University, community, Conference, NCAA and other meetings.
• Establishes and periodically refines Departmental organizational structure. Approves employee contracts for all coaches, trainers, administrative staff and other personnel who work for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and supervises their training.
• Serves as the primary spokesperson for the Department, promoting the philosophy of the intercollegiate athletics program with faculty, staff, students, alumni, sports media and the general public during public relations opportunities.
• Evaluates the condition of the athletic facilities, to include inspection for safety, as well as comparison with Conference and national standards.
• In cooperation with Institutional Advancement:Develop and implement strategies for promoting annual giving, gifts, and special gifts in coordination with the Falcon Club Director. Maintain a prospect list of all potential donors.Identifies and cultivates donors of major gifts with the Falcon Club Director.Organizes, coordinates and oversees fund raising activities in support of individual sports and departmental objectives (e.g., banquets, golf days, and other social days.)Coordinates all departmental mailings.Provides supervision and control over the marketing and promotions functions.Maintains Master calendar of facility events.Attend athletic events.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The director of athletics will recruit, hire, mentor, supervise and evaluate coaches and other athletic department staff; plan and manage the athletic budget and resources; assure compliance with the NCAA and USA South Athletic Conference regulation; coordinate athletic events and schedules; and promotes the integration of athletics into the overall college experience.

Work Environment

• Office setting, with lots of walking on fields/courts
• Travel required

Benefits

Pfeiffer University offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes University paid life insurance and LTD, paid vacation, sick and volunteer leave, and retirement and FSA benefit options.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.
• Experience in budget management and fundraising required.
• The successful candidate should demonstrate teamwork, interpersonal and analytical skills, the ability to use initiative, creativity, negotiation and motivational skills, show business awareness and IT literacy, and have prior experience in financial aid/scholarship allocation.
• A minimum of three years’ experience and progressive responsibility in an Intercollegiate Athletics setting at the senior management level or comparable experience in a professional environment. Knowledge of NCAA regulations is essential.
• Ability to multi-task is essential.