Details

Posted: 05-Jan-26

Location: Appleton , Wisconsin

Type: Full-time

Categories:

Executive Executive - Athletics Director

Sector:

Collegiate Sports

Preferred Education:

Masters Lawrence University seeks an Athletic Director who (1) fosters high standards of integrity, athletic excellence, and academic success; (2) is committed to the growth and advancement of the university (3) is able to hire and direct coaches who are committed to student success on and off the playing field; 4) is able to develop excellent relationships with both internal and external constituents; and (5) has strong management and fiscal skills.

The Director of Athletics is responsible for the successful leadership of all facets of Lawrence University Athletics – the development, planning, implementation, and evaluation of all athletics activities. The Director leads and manages a dynamic department with approximately 40 full and part-time staff, 24 varsity sports, with over 400 scholar-athletes. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing vision and an athletics leadership voice to our campus community; recruitment, retention, and development of coaches and other athletics personnel; budget leadership and management; growing alumni engagement and enhancing fundraising; working with our regional community partners; and overall administration of a NCAA Division III athletics department in accordance with NCAA.

The Director of Athletics provides support to other areas of the university during the implementation of initiatives related to the College’s strategic plan and strategic investments. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Life, the director is responsible for promoting the University as an engaging community and fostering an environment of excellence and success. The director is a visible role model for Lawrence’s values, actively building relationships within the Appleton and greater Fox Valley communities. Our athletics department is at an inspiring and pivotal moment in our history. In this ever-changing landscape of academically challenging small liberal arts institutions, Lawrence University embraces the importance of providing a high-quality scholar-athlete experience.

Growing our programs through the development our coaches, students, and other athletics personnel both on the field and off is at the core of the expectations for the next athletics director. With a hardworking core of athletics personnel and student-athletes, it is an exciting time as the last four years has seen roster growth, incredible support and resources from the President and the administration, and success in competition that has increased the reputation, and expectations form our athletics teams.

The successful candidate should be ready to capitalize on recent successes and continue the hard work progressing towards our goal of being highly competitive across all of our programs. In addition, the director works closely with the admission office to establish a high-level recruitment strategy to ensure the recruitment of Lawrentian scholar-athletes. The director also partners with the alumni and development and communications offices to further departmental and programmatic goals around fundraising and reputation.

10+ years of professional work experience in higher education athletics; leading and managing athletics operations, facilities, events, recruitment, compliance, and assessment of collegiate athletics programs.   A minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience in collegiate athletics administration or a closely related field and a bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree and collegiate coaching experience are strongly preferred.   The successful candidate will possess a comprehensive understanding of intercollegiate athletics administration, student-athlete development, facilities management and resourcing, NCAA compliance within a Division III environment, and the role of fundraising in supporting strategic and operational objectives.   Knowledge of best practices related to athletics and NCAA Division III is highly preferred.   Demonstrated collaborative management approach; ability to provide leadership and supervise staff with a collaborative and relational approach; a track record of outstanding management, open in style and comfortable in a non-hierarchical environment with a commitment to clarity and accountability.  An understanding of the role of enrollment at a small, private university; a familiarity with program development and assessment; excellent problem-solving abilities; and a high degree of cultural competence demonstrating respect for diversity of identities and experiences.  Proven strong planning and fiscal competencies; ability to develop and manage annual budget and annual fundraising goals and initiatives.  Experience hiring, training, and developing coaches, athletic trainers, and other staff; a demonstrated ability to mentor and support staff and provide successful oversight of people; a commitment to DEI in the recruitment and retention of coaches, other staff, and student-athletes.  Ability to develop and maintain effective partnerships across campus and other senior leaders; a transparent disposition and habit of collaboration; strong interpersonal skills and diplomacy; superb listening and influencing skills; the ability to cultivate and sustain trust and credibility with colleagues; a commitment to engage collaboratively with and be accessible to faculty and other members of the campus community and to respond effectively to their needs and concerns.  Excellent communication, writing, and presentation skills.   Unimpeachable integrity and ethics and high standards of excellence.  Knowledge of FERPA, Title IX, Clery, and HIPPA.   Strong computer skills and competency in Microsoft Office 360.   Employment is contingent on successful completion of criminal record check, driving record check, and reference checks.

Create a Job Match for Similar Jobs About Lawrence University Lawrence University is a leading small private university and conservatory of music located in the heart of Appleton, Wisconsin. Founded in 1847, Lawrence has a long legacy of providing students with a quality liberal arts education in a residential setting that focuses on engaged learning in a supportive community. Connections working at Lawrence University https://ncaamarket.ncaa.org/jobs/21949694/director-of-athletics Return to Search Results