Director of Football Operations

Duties & Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Oversee the daily set up for practice or gameday.
  • Liaison with Coaching staff and administration.
  • Monitor and analyze overall program budget, including proposed travel budget annually.
  • Authorized to make P-card and T-card purchases on behalf of the assigned sport.
  • Manage the team per diem card program for current student-athletes, staff, and for official visits.
  • This includes working with Financial Operations to order cards and reporting lost/stolen cards.
  • Coordinate with the Business Office if special payment arrangements need to be made with vendors.
  • Oversee that all policies are being followed to support DIA, campus and NCAA
  • Collaborate with comprehensive team travel logistics with the Assistant Athletic Director, Football Operations as it relates to travel arrangements for the team/staff and manage needs during home and away competitions related to team communication, itineraries, equipment needs, team meals and per diem cards.
  • Lead the advance travel operations, securing transportation, managing facility access, and serving as voice on-site for away games.
  • Assist with Bowl Game/Post Season operations, including travel party logistics, per diem distribution, nutrition-coordinated BEOs, and post-event analysis.
  • Cultivate strategic partnerships with host institutions and vendors through proactive site visits and relationship management.
  • Administer training camp housing assignments to ensure optimal living arrangements for student-athletes and staff.
• External Relations & Communication
  • Manage branding strategy for Illinois Athletics and, the head coach, by coordinating and developing a communication plan and schedule for the Head Coach.
  • Serving as the primary operational partner to the incoming student athlete transition liaison and assist in leading “Welcome Week” transition to Illinois Football for all incoming student athletes. Coordinate welcome schedule with Medical, Equipment, Video, Academics, Nutrition and related departments.
  • Direct parent and family relations, acting as a professional touchpoint between the program and student-athlete support systems.
  • Administer student-athlete support programs, specifically streamlining current athlete off-campus housing processes and ensuring financial aid compliance.
• Compliance & Program Support
  • Uphold rigorous compliance standards, ensuring all football operations adhere to NCAA, Big Ten Conference, and University of Illinois regulations.
  • Sync with Compliance and Academics and Administration to unify departmental policies and ensure seamless process alignment.
  • Assist with Student Athlete Time Management and CARA logs in collaboration with the Assistant AD to guarantee accurate reporting.
  • Execute operational support for high-impact initiatives, including community engagement, team-bonding, and recruiting events.
  • Analyze and refine organizational strategies and workflows, delivering recommendations to leadership for program enhancement and risk mitigation.