Director of Eligibility & Certification

About the role

The Director of Athletics Eligibility & Certification serves as the University of Arkansas Athletics Department's primary authority and final campus certifying official for student-athlete academic eligibility. This position provides strategic leadership and oversight of all NCAA, Southeastern Conference (SEC), and University eligibility certification processes, ensuring institutional compliance while supporting student-athlete academic success.

Responsibilities

• Administering initial, transfer, and continuing eligibility certification
• Monitoring progress-toward-degree requirements
• Preparing NCAA, SEC, institutional, and state reports
• Interpreting NCAA and SEC legislation
• Collaborating with Student-Athlete Academic Services, the Office of the Registrar, Admissions, Financial Aid, academic colleges, coaches, faculty, and external governing bodies
• Ensuring the integrity of all eligibility certification processes through accurate monitoring, documentation, reporting, and legislative interpretation
• Maintaining regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance
• Creating and maintaining collegial, harmonious working relationships with others

Qualifications

Minimum:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• At least two (2) years of NCAA Division I experience in athletics compliance, eligibility certification, student-athlete academic services, or a related field
• Experience interpreting and applying NCAA eligibility, transfer, and progress-toward-degree legislation
• Demonstrated analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills

Preferred:

• Master's degree from an accredited institution
• At least three (3) or more years of NCAA Division I experience administering eligibility certification
• Experience serving as a campus certifying official or primary eligibility administrator
• Experience with Teamworks Compliance + Recruiting, Compliance Assistant, NCAA Academic Portal, NCAA Eligibility Center, Transfer Portal, LSDBi, RSRO, Workday, and other NCAA and institutional student information systems
• Experience preparing NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA), IPEDS, revenue distribution, sports sponsorship, participation, and other NCAA or conference reports

Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of NCAA, SEC, and University academic eligibility legislation, policies, and procedures
• Knowledge of NCAA initial eligibility, transfer eligibility, continuing eligibility, and progress-toward-degree requirements
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple deadlines
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple departments
• Ability to interpret complex legislation, academic transcripts, degree audits, and institutional policies
• Ability to maintain confidential information while exercising sound judgment and discretion
• Proficiency with NCAA compliance platforms, student information systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and database management systems
• Commitment to integrity, institutional control, compliance, and student-athlete academic success

Additional information

Department: Compliance

Work type: Regular

Work shift: Day

Closing date: 09/09/2026

Type of position: Athletics Compliance

Benefits eligible: Yes

Sponsorship available: No

Required documents to apply: Resume

Recruitment contact: Krista Hoover, Senior HR Partner - Athletics, kristah@uark.edu

Pre-employment screening: Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.