Director of Athletics

Susquehanna University; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Susquehanna University seeks a collaborative, strategic director of athletics to lead 23 NCAA Division III varsity sports, 70+ coaches and staff, and ~600 student‑athletes. The role emphasizes academic and athletic excellence, student well‑being, and holistic student life within Academic Affairs.

The director reports to the Provost and Dean, manages an operating budget of ~ $1.7 million, and will advance enrollment, student success, and campus engagement while fostering an equitable student

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum seven years of progressively responsible experience in collegiate athletics administration.
• Demonstrated understanding of NCAA Division III athletics administration and compliance.
• Experience in staff supervision, budget and facilities management, program development, assessment, and evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise intercollegiate athletics, club sports, and recreation programs, including administrative, compliance, recruiting, operational, and business functions.
• Provide leadership for athletics program development, assessment, and evaluation, including identifying new programs and continuous improvement.
• Develop and oversee departmental budgets, financial controls, and resource allocation.
• Identify revenue-generating opportunities, including sponsorships, facilities rentals, and grants.
• Collaborate with Advancement to strengthen fundraising and donor relationships.
• Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate coaches and staff with clear performance expectations.
• Ensure compliance with NCAA Division III regulations, conference requirements, and applicable laws.
• Support recruitment, retention, academic success, and well-being of student-athletes.
• Collaborate with campus partners to advance student success and institutional priorities.
• Oversee athletics facilities, maintenance, and planning for improvements.
• Provide leadership for athletics communications, marketing, and promotion.

Skills

Staff supervision

Budget management

Facilities management

Athletics program development

Assessment and evaluation

NCAA Division III compliance

Collaborative leadership

Relationship-building

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Teamworks

Job description

• Please contact Anne-Marie Kenney for salary information
• Managing Budget: $1.7 million Approximately
• Reports to: Dave Ramsaran, PhD, Provost and Dean of the Faculty

Susquehanna University invites applications and nominations for the position of director of athletics. The university seeks a collaborative, strategic, and student-centered leader to build on a tradition of competitive excellence, strengthen departmental culture and operations, and advance a holistic and equitable student-athlete experience. The next director will play an important role in supporting enrollment, student success, and engagement across the university.

This is an on-site position. The anticipated start date is early 2027.

Responsibilities of the Position

Reporting to the provost and dean of the faculty, the director of athletics provides strategic leadership and oversight for Susquehanna University’s intercollegiate athletics, club sports, and recreation programs. The director is responsible for 23 NCAA Division III varsity sports, more than 70 coaches and staff, approximately 600 student‑athletes, and an operating budget of approximately $1.7 million. The director advances academic and athletic excellence, student-athlete well‑being, and a holistic and equitable student experience, aligned with the university’s mission and strategic priorities.

As a senior leader within Academic Affairs, the director oversees departmental operations, resource management, compliance, program development, and assessment while fostering a collaborative and accountable departmental culture. The director works closely with faculty and campus partners, including Student Life, Enrollment Management, Finance, Operations, University Communications and Marketing, and University Advancement, to strengthen student success, institutional enrollment, campus engagement, and external support for athletics.

Specific Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise intercollegiate athletics, club sports, and recreation programs, including administrative, compliance, recruiting, operational, and business functions.


• Provide leadership for athletics program development, assessment, and evaluation, including determining the feasibility of new programs and implementing strategies for continuous improvement.


• Develop and oversee departmental budgets, financial controls, and resource allocation in collaboration with university financial leadership.


• Identify and pursue revenue‑generating opportunities, including corporate sponsorships, facilities rentals, and grants.


• Partner with the vice president for advancement to strengthen athletics fundraising, alumni engagement, and donor relationships.


• Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate coaches and staff, establishing clear performance expectations and supporting professional development.


• Ensure compliance with university policies, NCAA Division III regulations, conference requirements, and applicable federal and state laws.


• Support the recruitment, retention, academic success, personal development, and well‑being of student‑athletes.


• Collaborate with the faculty athletics representative, faculty athletics committee, and campus partners to advance student success and institutional priorities.


• Oversee athletics facilities, maintenance coordination, and planning for facility improvements.


• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of athletic camps, including planning, implementation, and post‑event review.


• Provide leadership for athletics communications, marketing, and promotion.


• Represent the university on institutional, conference, and NCAA committees, as appropriate.


• Facilitate student‑athlete leadership development and access to professional development, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities.

Qualifications and Characteristics of the Successful Candidate

A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in collegiate athletics administration are required; a master’s degree is preferred. The successful candidate must demonstrate experience in staff supervision, budget and facilities management, and athletics program development, assessment, and evaluation. Additional requirements include a comprehensive understanding of NCAA Division III athletics administration and compliance; a commitment to student‑athlete development and success; an understanding of fundraising and its role in supporting strategic and operational priorities; and strong collaborative leadership, communication, and relationship‑building skills. Demonstrated cultural competence and an appreciation for the identities and experiences of a diverse campus community, with a commitment to fostering engagement and belonging, are essential. Collegiate coaching experience is preferred.

In addition to the qualifications stated above, key stakeholders identified the following capabilities and attributes of a successful candidate:

• Entrepreneurial and Innovative Visionary: Brings a forward‑thinking mindset with new ideas to serve students, expand programs, build campus spirit, and elevate Susquehanna’s regional and national profile.


• Culture Setter and Decisive Leader: Serves as a unifying leader who establishes shared departmental values, inspires trust, leads with transparency, and communicates a clear, compelling vision for Susquehanna athletics that extends beyond winning.


• System Builder and Operational Modernizer: Possesses strong administrative and organizational skills to modernize department operations, establish clear performance expectations and evaluation metrics, streamline compliance, and optimize technology platforms (e.g., Teamworks).


• Collaborative Campus and Advancement Partner: Builds authentic relationships across campus, partnering closely with faculty, Admissions, Student Life, and the newly appointed vice president for advancement to align Athletics with enrollment goals, student retention, and philanthropic initiatives.


• Empowering Mentor and Fair Manager: Acts as an accessible, proactive, and supportive advocate for coaches and staff while holding individuals accountable to high professional standards. Demonstrates strong delegation skills, structures meaningful one‑on‑one and staff meetings, and navigates hard conversations with fairness and confidentiality.


• Authentic Brand and Philanthropic Ambassador: An articulate advocate for Susquehanna University Athletics who can translate institutional pride into active fundraising, corporate sponsorships, and alumni engagement in close partnership with University Advancement.


• Student‑Athlete and Campus Life Champion: A visible leader who advocates for the holistic student‑athlete experience, deepens connections between Athletics and the rest of campus, and elevates overall student life through vibrant club sports, intramurals, and wellness initiatives.

History of the Position

Spelman Johnson is leading a national search for Susquehanna University’s next director of athletics following the departure of Sharief Hashim, who served in the position from May 2020 to September 2026 before accepting the position of vice president of athletics and recreation at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

During Hashim’s tenure, Susquehanna athletics experienced significant competitive success, including numerous Landmark Conference championships and NCAA