Athletic Director

Posting Category: E

About UIS: Located in the state capital, the University of Illinois Springfield is one of three members of the University of Illinois system. The University serves more than 4,000 students in 44 graduate and 56 undergraduate programs. You are encouraged to visit the university web page at http://www.uis.edu.

Application deadline: 3/22/2024

Summary:
The Athletic Director leads the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) Athletic Department. This position provides oversight for all aspects of the 15 varsity athletic programs sponsored by UIS, including matters pertaining to academic and athletic success, budgets, compliance, fundraising, marketing, operations, personnel, sports facilities and student athlete welfare and development. The Athletic Director guides the overall direction of the athletic department and leads a team of highly qualified professionals to shape UIS student athletes into productive, service-minded leaders and to center the athletic experience on academic achievement, pursuits of championships, and community outreach, which advances the mission and vision of UIS.
Duties & Responsibilities:

• Build a first-rate working culture throughout all levels of the Athletic Department.
• Develop, execute, and oversee the strategic plan for Athletic Department; lead and model the vision and mission, administration, and development of the Intercollegiate Athletics programs and policies toward goals related to competitiveness, student academic achievement, student-athlete experience, compliance, and financial management, that reflect the mission and values of UIS.
• Develop and sustain a holistic student-athlete experience prioritizing safety, health and welfare of student-athletes. In addition to athletic success, robust support academically, socially, mentally, and in transitions to post-college success; promote retention and progress toward degree.
• Identify, hire, support, mentor, and evaluate ethical and talented coaches in all 15 Prairie Stars varsity sports and efficient and productive operation of all administrative staff with commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Work in coordination with the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Vice Chancellor for Advancement, and other individuals to develop fundraising strategies with team goals and oversee a fundraising plan for Athletics to achieve annual goals.
• Manage Athletic facilities by coordinating shared facility management and planning with the Director of Campus Recreation and designated facility managers; develop priorities for construction and capital improvement projects and plans for the design and funding of the projects.
• Responsible for Athletic Department budget and monitoring use of funds by all programs.
• Foster an environment of compliance with Federal, State, NCAA, GLVC, and UIS policies, including oversight of coaches’ compliance to all NCAA Division II legislation, rules and responsibilities.
• Build successful alumni and donor relationships.
• Oversee marketing, promotions, and public relations (campus, community, and media).
• Prepare and deliver regulatory reports, including (but not limited to): Fee Review, Title IX Compliance, Academic Progress, Graduation and Retention, IBHE, and other GLVC and NCAA required reports.
• Monitor and maintain compliance with the student-athlete concept, the Life in the Balance Initiative, the Coalition on Intercollegiate Athletics, Gender Equity, GLVC/NCAA activities, regulations and legislation.
• Collaborate with senior-level UIS campus administration; Develop and sustain consistent, transparent communication with the Faculty Athletics Representative; Coordinate and collaborate with other University partners (Admissions, Registrar, Financial Assistance, Academic Support/Advising, Access and Equal Opportunity, Residence Life, Health Services) to support the Athletics Department.
• Other duties as assigned by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

Minimum Qualifications:
Masters Degree required
Five years of experience and understanding of leadership and administration of an NCAA intercollegiate athletic department
Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications:
NCAA Division II athletics administration experience and understanding is preferred.
Three years of combined experience with academic and athletic success, budgets, compliance, fundraising, marketing, operations, personnel, sports facilities and student-athlete welfare and development is desired.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Communicates Effectively – Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
Ability to collaborate positively to effectively drive toward organizational goals.
Manages Complexity – Make sense of complex, high quality and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve issues and demonstrated analytical, decision making, prioritization and problem-solving skills.
Drives Results – Consistently achieve results, even under tough circumstances and thrive in fast-paced, high pressure environments.
Organizational Savvy – Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics.
Be a role model – encouraging and inspiring passion in colleagues & partners.

Employment Policies and other information:

UIS is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with a strong institutional commitment to recruitment and retention of a diverse and inclusive campus community. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility.

The University of Illinois may conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law.

UIS employees are strongly encouraged to stay up to date with the most recent COVID-19 vaccination available as a barrier to serious illness.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current or former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.

UIS employment in this role is not covered by Social Security, and instead, is covered by the State University Retirement System.

• You will not pay Social Security taxes and your earning will not be on your Social Security Record. (Your record will, however, show your Medicare wages.
• Your pension from the State Universities Retirement System may affect the amount of your:

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted by contacting UIS HR at hremployment@uis.edu or call 217-206-6652.