Director of University Athletics

Philander; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Philander Smith University in Little Rock oversees a premier intercollegiate athletics program and seeks a Director of University Athletics to lead strategic direction, compliance, and fiscal management. The role reports to the President and drives student-athlete success, integrity, and competitive excellence.

The Director will oversee coaches, staff, and operations, collaborate with institutional advancement, and ensure alignment with university mission and student development goals.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Sports Administration or related field.
• Experience in intercollegiate athletics administration and budgeting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of athletic compliance and student-athlete eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the university's intercollegiate athletics program.
• Establish annual priorities and measurable goals aligned with institutional strategy and student success.
• Supervise coaches and athletics personnel and set standards for accountability and sportsmanship.
• Ensure compliance with NAIA, conference, and university requirements; manage athletics operations.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Staff supervision

Budget management

Compliance awareness

Communication

Student-athlete welfare

Education

Master's degree in Sports Administration

Job description

Philander Smith University - LITTLE ROCK, AR 72202

Overview

Salary Range

Position Type

Full Time

Graduate Degree

Travel Percentage

Up to 25%

Description

Position Summary

Philander Smith University seeks an experienced, student-centered, and collaborative Director of University Athletics to provide strategic and operational leadership for the University's intercollegiate athletics program. Reporting to the Office of the President, the Director serves as the University's senior Athletics administrator and is responsible for program leadership, compliance, fiscal management, personnel, competitive performance, and the student-athlete experience.

The Director ensures Athletics advances the University's mission through academic achievement, student development, competitive excellence, integrity, responsible stewardship, and the health and well-being of student-athletes.

Organizational Oversight

• Intercollegiate athletic programs
• Head and assistant coaches and Athletics staff
• Athletic compliance and eligibility coordination
• Student-athlete development, health, safety, and welfare
• Athletics budget, scheduling, travel, equipment, and operations
• Athletics fundraising and external engagement in partnership with Institutional Advancement
• Conference and NAIA relationships

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Program Administration

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the University's intercollegiate athletics program.
• Establish annual priorities and measurable goals aligned with institutional strategy, student success, enrollment, compliance, fiscal responsibility, and competitive performance.
• Supervise, develop, and evaluate coaches and Athletics personnel and establish clear standards for accountability, professionalism, sportsmanship, and institutional representation.
• Assess athletic programs and address performance, culture, personnel, or operational concerns in a timely manner.

Student-Athlete Success and Compliance

• Place academic achievement, retention, personal development, health, safety, and well-being at the center of the Athletics program.
• Partner with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, Financial Aid, and other offices to support student-athlete success and recruiting objectives.
• Ensure compliance with applicable NAIA, conference, University, eligibility, recruiting, and participation requirements.
• Maintain appropriate Athletics policies, records, training, and corrective processes and promptly elevate significant compliance or student-welfare concerns through University channels.

Financial and Operational Management

• Develop and administer the Athletics operating budget in coordination with Fiscal Affairs and within approved University parameters.
• Ensure compliance with University purchasing, travel, reimbursement, inventory, and financial procedures.
• Oversee schedules, team travel, equipment, competition logistics, and coordination of athletic facilities and events.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen operational efficiency and responsibly manage Athletics resources.

External Relations and Institutional Representation

• Collaborate with Institutional Advancement on fundraising, donor engagement, alumni relations, sponsorships, and external partnerships supporting Athletics.
• Partner with Marketing and Communications to promote athletic programs, student-athlete achievements, competitions, and institutional accomplishments.
• Represent Philander Smith University professionally with conference officials, athletic organizations, alumni, donors, community partners, and the public.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in Sports Administration, Athletic Administration, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.
• Progressively responsible experience in intercollegiate athletics administration, including supervision of coaches or Athletics personnel, programs, budgets, and operations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of athletic compliance and student-athlete eligibility requirements.
• Strong leadership, personnel management, communication, organizational, financial-management, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to student-athlete academic success, safety, welfare, integrity, and institutional mission.

Preferred Qualifications

• Senior athletics administration experience in higher education.
• Experience at an HBCU, private college or university, or mission-driven institution.
• Experience within the NAIA and with fundraising, donor engagement, enrollment partnership, or strategic planning.

Core Competencies

• Student-Centered Leadership
• Integrity and Accountability
• Strategic Thinking
• Athletic Compliance
• Collaboration and Relationship Building
• Sound Judgment and Operational Excellence

Reporting and Organizational Relationships

The Director of University Athletics reports to the Office of the President and serves as the University's senior Athletics administrator. Head coaches and Athletics personnel report through the Athletics organizational structure and are accountable to the Director. The Director collaborates across the University to ensure Athletics is aligned with institutional policies, priorities, and student-success goals.

Institutional Expectations

Intercollegiate Athletics is an extension of Philander Smith University's educational mission. The Director is expected to build a culture in which academic achievement, student development, competitive excellence, compliance, fiscal responsibility, professional conduct, and student-athlete welfare are mutually reinforcing priorities.

Disclaimer

This position description describes the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Philander Smith University reserves the right to modify responsibilities as institutional needs evolve.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Plans
• Short-term and Long-term Disability Coverage
• Flexible Spending Aaccounts and Health Savings Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403B Retirement Savings Plan
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Philander Smith University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It does not discriminate against applicants or employees based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or medical history, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.