Athletic Director

McNeese State University invites qualified applicants for the position of Athletic Director. This is a full-time, 12–month, unclassified position. The appointment is available to begin as early as April 10, 2026.

Position Number: U99066

SALARY: Commensurate with experience, qualifications, and budget availability

Position Description Overview

The athletic director serves as the senior leader of the University’s athletic programs. The ideal candidate will be able to craft and execute a vision for McNeese athletics in congruence with the university’s vision and mission. The athletic director is responsible for all fundraising projects and marketing efforts for athletics and is responsible for the operation, policies and procedures of the athletics department. Candidates will be able to cooperate with the University’s budget director in the planning and execution of budgets and expenditures of all athletic programs.

DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND MATERIALS: For the application process, applicants MUST complete an electronic application and upload required documents listed below:

• Letter of application
• Resume
• Three References (Include: name, phone number, and email address)
• Unofficial transcripts
  
  

Only completed application packets including all items listed above will be reviewed.

ALL JOB OFFERS ARE CONTINGENT UPON THE SUCCESSFUL RESULT OF A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK AND RECEIPT OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT(S) IF APPLICABLE.

TO APPLY FOR THIS VACANCY, click on the “APPLY” button at the top of advertisement to complete the electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

Contact Information

QUESTIONS CAN BE MADE ATTENTION TO MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT'S OFFICE AT:

(337) 475-5556

Or

Jessica Pousson at jpousson@mcneese.edu / Nancy-Leigh Mcintyre at nmcintyre@mcneese.edu

Office of Human Resources: Kim Dronett, HR Analyst/Recruitment at kdronett@mcneese.edu or (337) 475-5413

The Athletic Director Will

• Coordinate with executive leadership on all financial matters related to athletics funds in the University’s athletic budget and McNeese Foundation
• Direct and hire coaches who are committed to program success and the welfare and academic progress of student athletes according to established rules
• Prepare and present reports to supervision on team performance and needs for improvement
• Cultivate relationships with both internal and external constituents
• Integrate into the local community and serve as the primary representative of McNeese athletics
• Understand how to leverage unique opportunities for growth and advancement at the university
• Develop and execute fundraising strategies for general operations, NIL, and other key budgeting elements
• Lead the institution’s strategic initiatives in navigating the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights for student-athletes
• Establish and track progress towards annual fundraising objectives and benchmarks for McNeese Athletics
• Represent McNeese Athletics on internal and external media platforms to enhance the branding or sport programs
• Promote athletic events, matches, and meets
• Facilitate corporate sponsorship agreements benefiting the operations and advancement of McNeese Athletics
• Frequently connect with corporate sponsors to maintain strong relationships
• Serve as a member of the President’s Advisory Council
• Oversee all forms and eligibility reports for compliance with Southland Conference and NCAA reporting
• Foster high standards of integrity, athletic excellence, and academic success
• Monitor APR scores and ensure the proper guidance is provided to programs that may be at-risk
• Implement procedures to ensure student academic success
• Ensure that the quality and quantity of medical care available to student-athletes is appropriate for the activity being conducted by providing athletic trainers.
• Ensure the McNeese Athletics programs maintain connectivity to the general campus community
• Advise the Executive Leadership Team on issues relating to intercollegiate athletics
• Exhibit strong management and fiscal skills
• Hire and supervise supporting administrative staff
• Oversee the resolution of administrative issues
• Direct the maintenance, upkeep, and upgrading of all athletic facilities
• Prevent scheduling conflict occurs between different teams for use of shared equipment like weight rooms and athletic trainers’ attention.
• Collaborate with the coaching staff on scheduling, game days, and practices throughout the sports season
• Enforce and evaluate policies and procedures for oversight of coaches’ camps and clinics
• Implement, evaluate, and update, as needed, written policies and procedures for monetary disbursements for travel and other expenses
• Participate in relevant professional development activities to remain abreast of trends and best practices in college athletics
• All other duties as assigned by supervision
  
  

Required

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• At least five years of experience in athletics administration is required, preferably at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level athletic program
• Fundraising experience appropriate to Division I and FCS athletics
• Successful management and leadership experience
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of NCAA Division I rules, practices, and policies
• Excellent communication skills
• Dynamic personality with high levels of energy, enthusiasm, and initiative
• Ability to compile and analyze data to make data-driven decisions
• Knowledge of the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape and regulations
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with both internal and external stakeholders and constituents
• Ability to work with diverse populations from varied academic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds
• Ability to frequently work during weekends, evening, and overnight, out-of-town travel
  
  

Preferred

• Master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution
• At least ten years of experience in athletics administration is required, preferably at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level athletic program
• Experience working with the Southland Conference staff and central office
• Expertise with athletics compliance practices, state and federal regulations related to college sports, and NCAA governance
  
  

McNeese State University, located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is a public university and a member of the University of Louisiana System. Under Louisiana law, applications and all supporting materials will become public record. All applicants are expected to submit complete and accurate materials as specified in the position announcement. A background check and an English Proficiency assessment (Faculty Only) will be conducted on selected finalists. We comply with Louisiana Revised Statute 49:1001, et seq, and State of Louisiana Executive Order 98-38, which provides for drug testing of employees, appointees, prospective employees, and prospective appointees. Prospective employees and employees are informed if a drug test is required.

McNeese State University is an AA/EEO/ADA employer committed to excellence through diversity and a SAME agency (State as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities) for the State of Louisiana.

Persons needing reasonable accommodations as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the ADA Coordinator, Krisshunn Youngblood, Office of Campus Compliance and Civility at (337) 475-5428 or kyoungblood@mcneese.edu.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires McNeese State University to inform applicants that the University can employ only U.S. citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Each new employee is required to present documentation verifying his/her identity and right to accept employment. McNeese participates in E-Verify.

Louisiana Revised Statute 42:31-“Eligibility requirements for certain unclassified employees”-requires any person hired or employed in an unclassified position, whose annual salary or rate of compensation is equal to or exceeds one hundred thousand dollars, provide proof to his public employer that he has been issued a Louisiana driver’s license and that all vehicles registered in his name are registered in Louisiana within thirty days of being hired or employed at such salary.

Transcripts from Foreign Universities: Prospective faculty submitting transcripts from foreign universities or schools must have the coursework evaluated for equivalency to United States-accredited coursework by a University-approved agency. The prospective faculty member is responsible for the cost of the evaluation. McNeese typically accepts evaluations by World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.www.ece.org.