Director of Athletics and Recreation

About the role

The Director of Athletics and Recreation provides vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the Department of Athletics NCAA Division II program ("intercollegiate Athletics or Athletics"), and the Campus Recreation and Club Sport programs ("Recreational Sports"). The Director ensures the highest levels of operations in all aspects of the activities under their charge, including athletics facilities, budget management, recreational programming, coaching, student-athlete eligibility and well-being, and compliance with federal and state laws, NCAA, Northeast10, and University rules and policies.

Responsibilities

• Manages, administers, and supervises Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports programs.
• Strategic planning for facilities and programs.
• Hiring, training, evaluating, and supervising a staff of full- and part-time employees, including administrative, support, and coaching staff members.
• Directs assigned staff in the development and implementation of a comprehensive and innovative Recreational Sports Program including but not limited to: Intramurals, Fitness Classes, and the Fitness Center.
• Ensures the highest levels of operations in all aspects of the activities under their charge, including athletics facilities, budget management, recreational programming, coaching, student-athlete eligibility and well-being, and compliance with federal and state laws, NCAA, Northeast10, and University rules and policies.
• Generates enthusiasm and support for Southern New Hampshire University and its programs among campus and community members, parents and alumni groups, community partners, and the press and external constituencies.
• Develops, approves, evaluates, updates, and modifies department policies, handbooks, rules, expectations, and procedures as well as keeping all affected students and staff up to date of any changes.
• Oversees and conducts regular performance evaluations of staff and coaches, providing feedback, support, and accountability to ensure program effectiveness and alignment with departmental goals.
• Ensures a positive, inclusive, and high-performance culture across the athletic division, ensuring alignment with institutional values, sportsmanship, and student-athlete development.
• Oversees and cultivates a positive, inclusive, and high-performance culture across the athletic division, ensuring alignment with institutional values, sportsmanship, and student-athlete development.
• Maintain close collaboration with the Compliance Associate Director to ensure strict adherence to NCAA Division II, conference, and Northeast Region rules.
• Oversee recruiting practices, eligibility certification, financial aid, and amateurism standards to maintain a violation-free program.
• Ensure each team annually plans and executes community service initiatives.
• Conduct annual reviews of athletic department operations to identify efficiencies, reduce costs, and improve staff work-life balance.
• Lead comprehensive marketing and promotional strategies to enhance the visibility and brand of SNHU athletics across the Northeast region.
• Oversee Athletic Media Inventory, including: Official athletics website management, Campus and facility signage, Digital and social media strategy, Video production and live streaming, Broadcast partnerships and external media agreements.
• Oversee Budget & Fiscal Operations.
• Assumes final responsibility for sound management of the Department's fiscal operation overseeing assigned staff in managing a budget.
• Strategically manage the scholarship budget to help teams achieve success and growth through sound planning.
• Seek out and solicit corporate sponsorships that can help enhance the athletic brand as well as provide budget relief when possible.
• University and Community Presence.
• Maintains relationships with various academic offices on campus to ensure Student-Athlete success, retention and facilitate compliance matters.
• Ensures development of a comprehensive Departmental marketing program using varied media (including social media) directed at current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the community.
• Maintains high visibility on campus and in the community and represents the University through community involvement/speaking engagements, clinics, camps, etc.
• Engages and interacts with students, student-athletes, and the Student Athlete Advisory Council, serving as a resource to students involved in department programs.
• Works with assigned staff in Alumni Relations to develop strategies to engage alumni through athletics events as well as in increasing athletic alumni giving to the university.
• Develops and cultivates strong partnerships with local community organizations, including youth sports leagues, to promote program growth, community engagement, and a seamless pipeline for student-athlete development.

Requirements

• Minimum 8 + years of athletic administration experience.
• Bachelor's degree, Master's or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
• Familiarity with NCAA Division II collegiate athletics.
• Knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations.
• Supervisory experience required.
• Fundraising and fiscal management experience required.
• Demonstrated ability to work in an academic environment and collaborate effectively with cross-campus partners.
• Demonstrated leadership and effective management experience.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, results-orientated, metrics driven environment.
• Possess strong computer literacy and knowledge of social media.

Qualifications

• Master's or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
• Experience in NCAA Division II collegiate athletics.
• Strong supervisory and management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with cross-campus partners.
• Experience in fundraising and fiscal management.
• Strong computer literacy and knowledge of social media.

Skills

• Strategic planning and execution.
• Leadership and management.
• Collaboration and teamwork.
• Communication and interpersonal skills.
• Computer literacy and social media proficiency.

Benefits

Exceptional benefits include: High-quality, low-deductible medical insurance, Low to no-cost dental and vision plans, 5 weeks of paid time off (plus almost a dozen paid holidays), Employer-funded retirement, Free tuition program, Parental leave, Mental health and wellbeing resources.