Vice President/Director of Athletics

National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Marian University in Indianapolis seeks a strategic Vice President/Director of Athletics to lead a nationally competitive NAIA program with a student-first focus. The role guides academic achievement, character development, and faith integration, while partnering across the university to advance mission and achieve competitive excellence.

The successful candidate will manage budgets, facilities, compliance, donor relations, and long-range planning to position Marian Athletics for sustained

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to advancing Marian University's Catholic Franciscan mission, identity, and Sponsorship Values.
• Experience as a senior institutional leader contributing to university strategy, priorities, and decision-making.
• Proven record of advancing academic achievement, student development, and competitive athletic excellence.
• Progressive leadership experience in intercollegiate athletics or higher education; senior-level athletics experience preferred.
• Experience leading complex organizations and developing high-performing coaches and staff.
• Strong strategic, financial, and operational experience including budgeting, facilities, compliance, and long-range planning.
• Proven ability to build relationships with donors, alumni, corporations, and community partners.
• Experience with fundraising, donor engagement, sponsorships, partnerships, or revenue development.
• Strong communication, collaboration, judgment, integrity, accountability, and stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Lead a large, nationally competitive NAIA intercollegiate athletics program.
• Position Marian Athletics for continued strength and success through collaboration with university leadership.

Skills

Senior leadership

Intercollegiate athletics leadership

Strategic planning

Fundraising & donor relations

Relationship building

Financial & operational oversight

Communication & collaboration

Donor engagement

Integrity & stewardship

Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution

Advanced degree in a relevant field

Job description

As part of a diverse community of faculty and staff who represent many faith traditions and worldviews, Marian University seeks an accomplished, strategic, and mission-centered leader to serve as Vice President/Director of Athletics, who will promote our Catholic Franciscan mission and identity through a nationally competitive athletics program centered on student success, formation, and leadership. The anticipated start date for the Vice President/Director of Athletics is July 2027.

In its 175th year, and amid a historic presidential transition, Marian is building on the transformation often described as the Marian Miracle. Now a national doctoral research university serving more than 5,000 students (including over 740 student-athletes), Marian has achieved four consecutive years of record enrollment. Athletics is an important part of this momentum and of Marian’s continued growth, visibility, student experience, and mission to form transformative leaders.

The Vice President/Director of Athletics will lead a large, nationally competitive NAIA intercollegiate athletics program and foster a culture where student-athletes are students first. Grounded in Marian’s Franciscan Sponsorship Values, this leader will help student-athletes achieve excellence in learning, integrate faith and life, grow in character and leadership, and prepare to lead and serve with purpose.

As a senior institutional leader, the Vice President/Director of Athletics will work collaboratively across the university, contribute to university-wide strategy and decision-making, and provide the vision and leadership needed to position Marian Athletics for continued strength and success.

Required Qualifications

• Strong commitment to advancing Marian University’s Catholic Franciscan mission, identity, and Sponsorship Values.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a senior institutional leader and contribute to university-wide strategy, priorities, and decision-making.
• A record of advancing academic achievement, student development, and competitive excellence.
• Progressive leadership experience in intercollegiate athletics, higher education, sports administration, or a related field, with demonstrated readiness to lead a complex and nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program; senior-level collegiate athletics experience is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading complex organizations and developing high-performing coaches, administrators, and teams.
• Strong strategic, financial, and operational experience, including budgeting, resource allocation, facilities, compliance, and long-range planning.
• Demonstrated success building relationships and generating support among donors, alumni, corporate and community partners, and other external stakeholders.
• Experience with fundraising, donor engagement, sponsorships, partnerships, or other forms of resource and revenue development.
• Strong communication, collaboration, judgment, integrity, accountability, and responsible stewardship.
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; an advanced degree is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.