Director of Division II Governance and Member Services Programs and Initiatives

To collaborate with the managing director and vice president of Division II in managing the Division II governance and member services structure and issues affecting Division II, particularly in the area of Division II membership. Further, lead and oversee multiple Division II programs and initiatives developed and executed by Division II governance and member services to support the Division II membership.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the managing director and vice president of Division II in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives and policies designed to fulfill the mission, philosophy, and strategic position of Division II.
• Serve as a director providing oversight for Division II membership requirements, including associated interpretations and waivers, and serving as the primary liaison to the Division II Membership Committee.
• Lead in assisting internal and external stakeholders in understanding Division II membership legislation and policy, related interpretations, and waivers. Responsibilities include:
  • Provide counsel to NCAA senior leaders, Division II GMS vice president, and managing director on high-profile, complex Division II membership legislative, interpretive issues, and waivers.
  • Proactively identify issues for communication to other national office departments, such as the office of legal affairs, public media relations, enforcement, and communications.
  • Oversee the development, training, and performance of the Division II GMS membership team responsible for interpreting legislation and handling requests to waive institutional and conference membership requirements, sport sponsorship, and other membership rules.
  • Collaborate with other NCAA staff and departments to gather subject matter expertise in the decision-making process, enhance existing processes, amend policies, and consider legislative changes.
  • Oversee the requirements of member schools to complete the health and safety survey and financial reporting documents.
• Serve as the director providing oversight for Division II GMS’s education efforts and initiatives. Responsibilities include:
  • Create Division II GMS education vision and goals.
  • Provide day-to-day oversight and delivery of Division II GMS’s education efforts and initiatives, including coordinating with internal and external constituencies.
  • Oversee a team charged with developing, managing, and monitoring Division II GMS education-specific priorities and vice-presidential priorities.
  • Collaborate with other NCAA staff and departments to gather ideas and feedback to enhance existing processes and deliver education to both internal and external constituents.
  • Update Division II GMS vice president and managing director on issues related to Division II GMS education.
• Oversight and lead staff in the implementation and conducting of Division II membership-facing initiatives and programs, including:
  • NCAA and Division II Athletics Directors Association (DII ADA) Mentoring Program.
  • Division II-Specific APPLE Training Institute.
  • Division II Award of Excellence (oversee promotion of the award, nominations, and selection process).
  • Division II Connection Program.
  • Division II Degree Completion Program.
  • Division II Opportunity Grants.
  • Division II Enhanced Attendance at the NCAA Impact Forum.
  • Division II Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) Institute and Division II FAR Advanced Leadership Institute.
  • Division II Professional Development Workshop.
  • Minority Opportunities Athletics Association (MOAA)/Division II Governance Academy.
  • Division II/National Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC) Professional Development Workshop for Compliance Administrators.
  • Division II New Athletics Directors Orientation.
  • Women Leaders in Sports/Division II Governance Academy (work with Women Leaders in Sports’ staff, panelists, and speakers).
• Oversight of the Institutional Performance Program, Compliance Blueprint program, and compliance assistant for Division II.
• Work with the Division II GMS Unit Fiscal Officer (UFO) to oversee the division’s day-to-day budget management and work closely with the NCAA financial liaison to maintain accuracy of the budget and report budget projections and results to the vice president of Division II and the NCAA chief financial officer.
• Attend meetings of the Division II Management Council and Division II Executive Board and provide leadership, as needed.
• Participate in the Division II conference contact program, assisting conferences in understanding applicable NCAA legislation and interpretations and delivering governance and member services information to conferences.
• Serve as a liaison to Division II connection groups, specifically for baseball, football, and wrestling.
• Serve as a team lead for interpretations and waivers.
• Assist the Division II membership, NCAA staff, and other interested individuals and organizations in understanding NCAA legislation and interpretations through telephone calls, written correspondence, and in-person presentations.
• Process Division II student-athlete reinstatement, legislative relief, and academic waivers, and assist member institutions in the waiver process, as needed.
• Assist with the Division II Convention planning process, including the coordination of educational sessions, affiliate meetings, and the business session.
• Represent the NCAA and the Division II governance and member services staff through participation as a presenter at various staff, Association, conference, and professional organizations’ meetings, particularly with the American Football Coaches Association.
• Serve as a member of the Division II Governance and Member Services leadership team.
• Serve as a member of the Division II Cross Department Leadership Team and participate in meetings.
• Supervise assigned personnel (e.g., conducting regular one-on-ones, completing the annual performance management process).
• Provide internal service and support to national office initiatives and functions as directed by the vice president of Division II.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the vice president of Division II.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• A minimum of five years of experience in intercollegiate athletics, higher education, and/or in policy development.
• Governance support and analysis as a senior-level administrator is required.
• Excellent analytical, verbal, and writing skills.
• Ability to identify, understand, articulate, and advocate (verbally and in writing) multiple perspectives on an issue is essential.
• Ability to think strategically and forecast future developments and the impact of policy and operational directives and decisions is essential.
• Ability to anticipate creative opportunities for collaboration, foster dialogue, and contribute to new, positive approaches.
• A minimum of three years of management and/or supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience handling confidential and sensitive materials required.
• Working knowledge of governance support (e.g., committee support) is preferred.
• Candidate must demonstrate the interest and ability to adapt to a changing environment in which innovation, customer service, and improved processes are constantly at the forefront of all work.

Schedule

This position will be based out of the national office in Indianapolis, Indiana. Current work environment is hybrid; 2 days in the office and 3 days are remote. Estimated travel required is less than 30%.

Skills

• Effective Communication: Can exchange ideas, thoughts, opinions, knowledge, and data so that the message is understood with clarity and purpose.
• Stakeholder Focus: Dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders, gets first-hand stakeholder information and uses it for improvements in products and services, acts with stakeholders in mind, establishes and maintains effective relationships with stakeholders, and gains their trust and respect through honesty, integrity, authenticity, and inclusivity.
• Critical Thinking: Ability to examine issues and ideas and to identify good and bad reasoning in a variety of fields with differing assumptions, contents, and methods.
• Motivating Others: Creates a climate in which people want to do their best, can motivate many kinds of direct reports and team or project members, can assess each person's hot button and use it to get the best out of him/her, pushes tasks and decisions down, empowers others, invites input from each person and shares ownership and visibility, makes each individual feel his/her work is important, is someone people like working for and with.
• Managerial Courage: Provides current, direct, complete, and "actionable" positive and corrective feedback to others, lets people know where they stand, faces up to people problems on any person or situation quickly and directly, is not afraid to take negative action when necessary.

Core Values

• Leadership: We actively listen and continually strive to provide vital solutions, counsel, and advocacy for student-athletes and intercollegiate athletics.
• Inclusion: We seek and incorporate different perspectives and experiences to drive innovation and impact.
• Communication: We commit to an environment of openness to build trust and make timely decisions.
• Collaboration: We work together, based on mutual respect, to lead and serve our stakeholders.
• Accountability: We take ownership for our actions and results to add value every day.