Director of Athletics

WILLIAMS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY - WALNUT RIDGE, ARKANSAS

Address of Job Location: 56 McClellan, Walnut Ridge, AR 72476

Website page of the Job Posting

Job Summary:

The Director of Athletics (AD) serves as the Chief Athletics Officer for the University. The AD is responsible to develop and implement strategic initiatives for all University varsity and junior varsity athletic programs to assist the University to achieve its mission and express its core values. The AD has primary responsibility for leadership in all matters pertaining to University athletics.

The Director of Athletics must possess innovative leadership abilities; personnel supervision skills; knowledge of complex athletic eligibility issues and policies; financial and legal issues as such pertain to student athletics; and a capacity to administrate university-level athletics operations. Among the many abilities required for this position are leadership & supervision; fundraising; business/financial management; communication & interpersonal relations skills; strategic planning; mentoring & leadership development; administrative & organizational skills.

Job Responsibilities:

• Leadership: provide visionary supervision and mentoring for all athletic personnel (coaches, trainers, support staff, student workers, etc.)
• Administration: supervise all decisions, procedures, and activities associated with assigned departments and areas.
• Strategic Planning: provide creative, strategic planning and leadership for athletic department and programs as well as development & implementation of departmental strategic initiatives.
• Fundraising: in collaboration and coordination with the Executive Vice President for Administration, Advancement, and Business Development, the AD will develop, implement, and coordinate initiatives in athletic fundraising and will actively participate in fundraising initiatives to meet or exceed fundraising goals and objectives.
• Financial Management: the AD will develop, assess, and supervise all institutional budgets associated with this position, including departmental budgets for each athletic program.
• Recruitment & Scholarships: in collaboration and coordination with the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, the AD will develop, assess, and supervise all athletic recruiting roster goals and will oversee all coaches in the management of recruiting efforts and scholarship budgets.
• Eligibility & Retention: in collaboration and coordination with the Director of Athletic Eligibility & Retention and the AVP for Enrollment Management, the AD will ensure that all university athletes meet all NAIA eligibility requirements; the AD will also collaborate with the Director of Athletic Eligibility & Retention, the AVP for Enrollment Management, and the Director of Student Success to develop and implement strategies and initiatives that improve and strengthen the retention of student athletes.
• Spiritual & Leadership Formation: in collaboration and coordination with the Director of Spiritual Life, the AD will develop, supervise, and assist the coaching staff in the spiritual formation and leadership development of student-athletes as expressed in the University mission statement and University core values (the Williams Way).
• Operations: the AD will provide administrative oversight for athletic facilities and for operational oversight/management for athletic events, facilities, and resources; the AD will likewise supervise coaches in the use and care of athletic equipment and facilities.
• General: other administrative and operational responsibilities may be assigned contingent upon experience and education of qualified candidate, including all other duties as assigned by the Executive Vice President for Administration and/or the President.

Job Requirements:
• Required: Master’s degree; must have 10 years experience in athletic coaching, programming, operations, and/or administration.
• Preferred: experience with NAIA guidelines and regulations; experience in Christian higher education.

Knowledge, Skills, Competencies:
• Knowledge of effective collegiate-level administrative practices and operations; exceptional commitment to Christian higher education.
• Innovative leadership, public relations, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with coaches, faculty, students, coaches, staff, and parents.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic planning initiatives and administrate complex budgets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Collaborative work habits and ability to establish collegial relationships; able to participate actively in a team environment.
• Organizational efficiency and attention to detail; able to work quickly with high degree of accuracy and to multi-task.
• Ability to handle confidential information appropriately.

Expiration Date of Job Posting: September 12, 2026