Athletic Director

About the role

The Director of Athletics will lead a comprehensive NJCAA intercollegiate athletics program at Henry Ford College, focusing on competitive excellence, student-athlete success, compliance, and enrollment growth.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership and vision for the College’s intercollegiate athletics program.
• Serves as the primary athletics compliance officer.
• Leads all athletics programs and supervises coaches and staff.
• Develops and manages the athletics budget.
• Led athletics recruitment strategies aligned with enrollment goals.
• Collaborates to support student-athlete academic success.
• Collaborates with the Vice President of Student Affairs and the Vice President of Foundation to lead fundraising, sponsorship, and community engagement efforts.
• Collaborates with the Vice President of Student Affairs and the Vice President of Marketing and Communications to direct athletics marketing and communications.
• Uses data to evaluate program effectiveness.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in sports management, higher education administration, education, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible athletics administration experience, including supervision of coaches and staff.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience within NJCAA or NCAA athletics; NJCAA experience a plus.
• Demonstrated leadership in athletics compliance, including NJCAA, conference (e.g., MCCAA), and Title IX regulations.
• Proven ability to lead, supervise, and evaluate staff while building a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Experience supporting student-athlete academic success, retention, and completion initiatives.
• Experience managing athletics budgets, scholarships, and resource allocation.

Qualifications

• Strategic Leadership - Provides vision and direction for athletics aligned with the college’s mission and strategic priorities; sets goals and drives long-term program success.
• Compliance and Accountability - Ensures adherence to institutional policies and governing regulations; maintains accountability for ethical conduct, eligibility, and program standards.
• Financial Management - Manages the athletics budget responsibly, aligning resources to priorities while identifying opportunities for efficiency and revenue generation.
• Relationship Building - Builds and sustains collaborative relationships across campus and with community partners, alumni, and stakeholders to support athletics programs.
• Communication - Communicates clearly and professionally with diverse audiences; promotes transparency and effectively represents the athletics program.
• Operational Effectiveness - Oversees daily athletics operations, ensuring efficient coordination of staff, programs, facilities, and events.
• Student-Centered Focus - Supports the academic success, well-being, and development of student-athletes, fostering a positive and engaging experience.
• Equity and Inclusion - Promotes equitable access and inclusive practices within athletics programs, ensuring a welcoming environment for all.
• Decision-Making - Makes timely, informed decisions using data, sound judgment, and consideration of impact.
• Change Management - Leads and implements change initiatives effectively, engaging stakeholders and ensuring successful adoption.