Senior Athletics Director - Student-Centered Leadership

PHILANDER SMITH COLLEGE; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Short-term & Long-term Disability

403B Retirement Savings Plan

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR seeks an experienced Director of University Athletics to provide strategic and operational leadership for the intercollegiate program. Reporting to the President, the Director will oversee coaches, staff, compliance, budgeting, and student‑athlete welfare.

You will partner with Academic Affairs and Institutional Advancement to advance student success, competitive excellence, and community engagement while ensuring integrity, safety, and responsible

Qualifications

• Master’s degree 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Develop and administer the Athletics operating budget in coordination with Fiscal Affairs and within approved University parameters.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Financial management

Decision making

Collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in Sports Administration / Athletic Administration / Business Administration / Higher Education Administration

Job description

Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR seeks an experienced Director of University Athletics to provide strategic and operational leadership for the intercollegiate program. Reporting to the President, the Director will oversee coaches, staff, compliance, budgeting, and student‑athlete welfare.

You will partner with Academic Affairs and Institutional Advancement to advance student success, competitive excellence, and community engagement while ensuring integrity, safety, and responsible