Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation

King's; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

King's College is seeking an Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation to lead its NCAA Division III athletics program. The ideal candidate will foster a culture that promotes student-athlete success, oversee a large team of coaches and staff, and ensure compliance with NCAA regulations. This role requires strong leadership skills, a collaborative management approach, and a deep understanding of collegiate athletics administration.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree and significant leadership experience in collegiate athletics administration.
• A master’s degree and coaching experience are strongly preferred.
• Comprehensive understanding of NCAA compliance and budgeting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of NCAA Division III athletics program, including recreation and intramurals.
• Develop and implement recruitment strategies for student-athletes.
• Ensure compliance with NCAA and institutional regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Budget Management

Collaboration

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree (preferred)

Job description

• King’s College
• Please contact Anne-Marie Kenney or Kelly Brooks for salary information
• Managing Budget: $3 million
• Reports to: Dr. Anitra McShea, Vice President for Student Affairs

Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation

Kelly BrooksSearch Consultant – Athletics Practice

Reporting to the vice president for student affairs and serving on the student affairs leadership team, the executive director of athletics and recreation oversees all aspects of the administration of King’s NCAA Division III athletics program, including recreation and intramurals, and provides leadership to all coaches and staff by ensuring compliance with NCAA, Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC), and college regulations. By providing and implementing a dynamic vision, this individual models and facilitates a positive and transformational environment that fosters competitive success, academic rigor, and holistic development of all student-athletes consistent with the mission of the college, its Catholic identity, and the values of the Congregation of Holy Cross. The executive director is responsible for a department comprising 28 varsity sports, over 75 full-time and part-time professional coaches and staff, over 635 student-athletes, and a comprehensive operational budget of over $3 million.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Foster a culture within the athletic department that supports student-athlete retention, academic success, and graduation.
• Promote competitive excellence by empowering student-athletes, coaches, and staff to achieve shared goals at the conference and regional levels.
• Develop and implement recruitment strategies to attract student-athletes who align with the college’s academic and athletic standards and ensure roster and enrollment goals on an annual basis.
• Establish short- and long-term goals, strategic plans, policies, and procedures; monitor effectiveness and lead necessary improvements.
• Recruit, manage, supervise, train, and evaluate all athletic department personnel.
• Ensure compliance with NCAA, MAC, Title IX, and all applicable institutional, local, and national regulations.
• Design and implement fundraising strategies in collaboration with Institutional Advancement to support athletic programs and facilities.
• Cultivate relationships with donors, alumni, and community partners to advance athletic and institutional priorities.
• Lead departmental assessment efforts, including the development of learning outcomes and evaluation of programs, services, and practices.
• Oversee a robust intramural and recreational program that supports campus engagement and wellness.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with campus partners, including faculty, student affairs, enrollment, advancement, and facilities.
• Support the Monarch Athletic Fund and alumni engagement efforts in coordination with Institutional Advancement.
• Collaborate with conference and event services to generate external revenue through facility rentals.
• Ensure student athletes receive appropriate athletic training services by providing oversight of outsourced sports medicine services and collaborate with faculty responsible for the on-campus athletic training rehabilitation facility.

Qualifications and Characteristics of the Successful Candidate

A bachelor’s degree and significant, progressive leadership experience in collegiate athletics administration, including staff supervision, budget and facilities management, and sport program oversight, are required; a master’s degree and coaching experience are strongly preferred. The successful candidate will possess a comprehensive understanding of intercollegiate athletics administration, student-athlete development, facilities management and resourcing, NCAA compliance within a Division III environment, and the role of fundraising in supporting strategic and operational objectives. A collaborative management approach, coupled with superior communication and relationship-building skills, strong planning and fiscal competencies, an understanding of the role of enrollment at a small, private college, a familiarity with program development and assessment including risk management, excellent problem-solving abilities, and a high degree of cultural competence demonstrating respect for diversity of identities and experiences will be important considerations in the selection of the next executive director of athletics and recreation.

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

• Leads with a collaborative, creative, inclusive, and mission-aligned management style, fostering enthusiasm, teamwork, and partnerships across campus.
• Promotes equity-minded and culturally competent leadership with a strong understanding of Title IX, diversity, inclusion, and institutional justice priorities.
• Brings proven experience in staff supervision, risk management, and recruitment and retention of diverse staff and students.
• Demonstrate an appreciation for mission-driven private or religiously-affiliated institutions.
• Champions athletic success while upholding King’s commitments to academic excellence, competitiveness, and belonging.
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of NCAA Division III athletics administration, student-athlete development, compliance, and strategic advancement.
• Supports recreational and wellness programs as essential components of the overall student experience.
• Possesses strong communication, advocacy, and storytelling skills to engage a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Manages budgets, resources, and fundraising strategies in collaboration with advancement to support departmental and institutional priorities.
• Understands and values the Division III philosophy, integrating athletics with academics and student development.
• Serves as a visible advocate for student-athletes, coaches, and athletic programs, fostering a culture of support and excellence.
• Utilizes assessment and program evaluation to drive continuous improvement and student success.

Cheryl Ish is in her thirty-first year at King’s and is the associate vice president and executive director of intercollegiate athletics and recreation. Ish oversees the King’s athletic program that features 28 NCAA-sponsored sports.

Ish came to King’s during the 1994-95 academic year as the head field hockey coach and assistant director of athletics but was promoted to associate director in 2004-05. She was then elevated to director of athletics in 2005-06. Ish stepped down as field hockey coach in Spring 2016 to focus on King’s expanding athletic program.

Ish will transition to an assistant professor role in the sports management concentration at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. King’s has partnered with Spelman Johnson to conduct a national search for the next executive director of athletics and recreation.

Opportunities and Challenges of the Role

In transitioning to King’s College, the executive director of athletics and recreation will encounter the following opportunities, priorities, and challenges, as shared by key campus stakeholders:

• Establish a clear and unified vision for athletics and recreation that fosters collaboration, equity, and a positive departmental culture among coaches and staff, aligned with student success and competitive excellence priorities.
• Lead strategic planning efforts to define the short- and long-term role of athletics and recreation in the student experience, including program growth, facilities planning, revenue generation, marketing and brand enhancement, and community partnerships.
• Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion goals by promoting an equity-minded departmental culture, supporting institutional initiatives, and providing training and development for staff and student-athletes.
• Enhance fundraising and alumni engagement by partnering with college advancement and alumni leadership to grow revenue generation and the Monarch Athletic Fund and cultivate lasting relationships with alumni and families.
• Strengthen strategic recruitment partnerships with admission and enrollment management to attract and retain academically strong, mission-aligned student-athletes and optimize roster management.
• Promote athletics and recreation as a campus and community partner by enhancing communication and collaboration across departments and with external stakeholders to support a holistic student-athlete experience.

Measures of Success

The executive director of athletics and recreation is uniquely positioned to advance the college’s mission of forming the whole person within a vibrant and supportive community. Named as one of the six strategic goals outlined in the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan: Anchored in Mission. Empowered for Excellence , athletics and recreation will engage in significant capital planning and infrastructure enhancements to enrich the overall student and student-athlete experience at King’s College.

The following outcomes will define the executive director’s success during the first year of leadership:

• Demonstrated progress on the college’s strategic plan priorities, including athletic facilities planning and fundraising initiatives.
• A clearly defined and energized identity for Monarch athletics; the executive director is recognized as a strategic partner across campus.
• Strengthened alumni, booster, and community engagement, driven by visible leadership and storytelling that celebrates student-athlete success.
• Improved program equity and coaching development, supported by clear performance metrics and institutional investment.
• Increased campus and community pride and participation, reflected in strong attendance and engagement at Monarch athletic events.
• Elevated brand visibility and recognition, with athletics and recreation meaningfully integrated into the broader King’s College mission.

Overview of the Department of Athletics and Recreation

King’s College Athletic Department Mission Statement
Guided by the Holy Cross tradition, the athletic department is committed to being integral to the student athlete’s college experience. At King’s College, athletic programs observe the institutional mission of providing experiences that encourage student-athletes to lead meaningful and satisfying lives. Through participation in intercollegiate athletics, student-athletes pursue academic and athletic success, develop leadership and collaborative skills, and exercise the principles of good sportsmanship.

Vision Statement
King’s College will continue to offer a broad-based athletic program that provides student-athletes with a quality competitive athletic experience; provides mentorship through experienced and dedicated coaches who adhere to the Division III philosophy and the values promoted by the college; and opportunities for individual and shared success.

Goals

• Cultivate an athletic environment that embraces service learning and the institutional goal of educating the minds and hearts of students, as expressed in the words of founding President Father James Connerton, CSC, “King’s teaches students not only how to make a living, but how to live.”
• Encourage student-athletes to embrace regional competition and conference championships as an athletic goal and to strive for competitive excellence in intercollegiate sports.
• Provide excellent staffing and resources that facilitate athletic success.
• Adhere to athletic and academic guidelines of the NCAA Division III, the Middle Atlantic Conference, and King’s College.
• Recruit competitive rosters, provide individualized attention and support for student-athletes, and cultivate collegiate success.
• Value ethnic diversity and gender equality within intercollegiate athletic programs.
• Promote undergraduate scholastic achievement and advocate the value of lifelong learning.

Men’s Sports:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football
• Golf
• Ice Hockey
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Track & Field
• Volleyball
• Wrestling

Women’s Sports:

• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Field Hockey
• Golf
• Ice Hockey
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Track & Field
• Volleyball

Intramurals
The intramural programs at King’s offer everyone on campus an opportunity to participate in athletic activities. Approximately 900 students at King’s participate in some form of intramural or activity each year. Teams compete in intramural leagues, and playoff tournaments award prizes to the champions.

The Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) is a voluntary association of independent colleges and universities whose purpose is to support athletic competition under the principles of NCAA Division III. The presidents of the member institutions actively govern the conferences to advance their well-being and to ensure fulfillment of and accountability to the values and principles outlined in this document. The presidents also foster productive educational collaboration among the members in areas other than athletics. Member institutions are diverse in character, program, and constituencies but share important features. As relatively small, residential, geographically close institutions that appreciate and abide by a common philosophy and principles, they place high value and strong emphasis on excellence in undergraduate baccalaureate education, with particular expectations that students will be actively involved in campus life. They all center their baccalaureate programs on strong liberal arts offerings and are committed to educating the whole person. Their programs of study are rigorous and lead to productive educational outcomes. All sponsor at least 16 intercollegiate sports.

The organization comprises two primary conferences: the MAC Commonwealth and the MAC Freedom. A third entity, the Middle Atlantic Conference (singular), includes members from both and sponsors sports with limited participation across the broader membership.

Member Institutions:

• York College of Pennsylvania
• Albright College
• Delaware Valley University
• Eastern University
• Fairleigh Dickinson University – College at Florham
• Hood College
• King’s College
• Neumann University (2026-2027)
• Stevens Institute of Technology
• Widener University

Overview of the Division of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs engages all students through transformative educational experiences in a nurturing and inclusive community. Staff within student affairs collaborate with campus partners to challenge, support, and celebrate our students. Guided by the college’s Catholic Holy Cross mission, we develop our students in body, mind, and spirit, calling them to live lives of meaning and purpose.

Departments within Student Affairs:

• Athletics and Recreation
• Campus Activities, Commuter Life, and Orientation
• Counseling Center
• Dean of Students Office
• Multicultural and International Student Programs
• Residence Life
• Student Health Services

Divisional Leadership

Vice President for Student Affairs

Anitra McShea was named vice president for student affairs in July of 2022 and oversees the college’s student affairs functions, including the dean of student’s office, athletics and recreation, campus activities, multicultural programs, the counseling center, student health, and residence life. Under her leadership, she guides these teams in fostering, influencing, and contributing to student success and development.

Before her arrival on campus, McShea served as a faculty member in the higher education administration graduate program at Marywood University. In addition, she served 18 years in various roles in advocating for students in student affairs at The University of Scranton, including vice provost of student formation and campus life and associate vice president for student life and dean of students.

McShea has received multiple accolades, including the Woman of Leadership and Courage Award from the University of Scranton. She was voted one of the Top Women in Business by the Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal. She was recently inducted into the Delta Epsilon Sigma Honor Society, the national scholastic honor society for students, faculty, and administrators of colleges and universities with a Catholic tradition.

A native of Northeastern Pennsylvania, McShea earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology from Elizabethtown College, a master’s degree in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University, and a PhD in human development with a concentration in higher education from Marwood University.

Founded in 1946, King’s College is a Catholic institution of higher education animated and guided by the Congregation of Holy Cross —the founder of our sister institution, the University of Notre Dame. Located on an urban campus in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the college offers more nearly 60 undergraduate and graduate programs, more than 50 clubs and activities, and 28 NCAA Division III athletic teams, all of which provide ample opportunity for students to deepen their educational experience and develop skills for both a meaningful career and life.

With intentionally small classes and a focus on community engagement and personal connection, students from all backgrounds and faiths find success and support while earning their degrees in business, health sciences, the humanities, social sciences, and science and technology. In addition to the college’s accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, our William G. McGowan School of Business holds the prestigious AACSB international accreditation, and many of our programs—including athletic training, chemistry, education, engineering, and physician assistant—are nationally accredited.

The Student Body

1,940 undergraduate and graduate students

54% women; 46% men

25% undergraduate students of color

60% of students live on campus

Institutional Leadership

The Reverend Thomas P. Looney, CSC, PhD

President

FatherThomas Looney’s loyal service to the mission of King’s College began nearly 35 years ago. Father Looney made his profession of vows in the college’s former Chapel of Christ the King on August 13, 1986, and a few weeks later began teaching theology at King’s and serving as a deacon at St. Nicholas Parish in Wilkes-Barre.

Father Looney has served King’s as the associate vice president for academic success, the director of campus ministry, and the college chaplain. He has also previously served as associate professor and chair of the theology department, associate vice president for academic affairs, and dean of the faculty at King’s. Father Looney led the efforts to restore the former Memorial Church on North Street in Wilkes-Barre that now serves as the Chapel of Christ the King at the George & Giovita Maffei Family Commons. In recognition of his exemplary service to the college, Father Looney was awarded the All-College Administration Award in both 2016 and 2020 and the All-College Teaching Award in 2001. A widely respected and admired member of the King’s family, Father Looney enjoys many deep relationships with King’s students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends.

Born in Brooklyn and raised in Otisville, New York, Father Looney began religious life formation at the Congregation of Holy Cross at Stonehill College. His vocation to the priesthood and religious life resulted from his family’s deep faith; his mother’s uncle was a Holy Cross brother, and his father’s uncle was a diocesan priest. Father Looney was ordained a priest on June 13, 1987.

“Wecelebrate diversityby fostering awelcoming and inclusive environmentwhere each member of King’s College has asense of belonging.We are acommunityof people with multifaceted understandings of ourselves and the world around us. Weengagein civil discourse where welisten to understandandlearnfrom one another. In order to foster a positive environment, we will not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or bullying in any capacity. We seek to be atransformative communitythatrespects, celebrates, and engageswith one another. Our mission is tochampion the inherent dignity of every person.”

Benefits Overview

To learn more about the benefits offered by King’s College, please click here.

Application

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position, please click the Apply button, complete the brief application process, and upload your resume and position-specific cover letter. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email [e-mail] .

King’s College does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors. We celebrate diversity by fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment where each member of King’s College feels respected with a sense of belonging.