Deputy Athletics Director for External Operations (0089300)

Description

Title: Deputy Athletics Director for External Operations

Position Number: 0089300

Hiring Unit:  Intercollegiate Athletics

Location: UH at Manoa 

Posting Date: June 29, 2026

Closing Date:  July 21, 2026

Salary Information:  SM-3 $162,156 to $291,885 annual, salary commensurate with qualifications and experience

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Temporary/Permanent:   Permanent

Funding:  Special Funds

Other Conditions:  Appointment to begin approximately August 2026, pending position clearance.

Introduction

The University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Athletics Department (UHMAD) supports more than 500 student-athletes competing across 21 sports, providing opportunities for academic and athletic excellence within the state’s only NCAA Division I athletics program.

Reporting to the Director of Athletics, the Deputy Athletics Director for External Affairs (External Deputy) serves as a member of the executive leadership team and provides strategic oversight of all external operations. This position is responsible for driving revenue generation, enhancing brand visibility, and advancing engagement with key stakeholders to support and sustain the department’s competitive success.  Assumes the duties, responsibilities and authority of the Athletic Director for the operations and administration of the Department and all its programs in the absence of the Director. 

The Deputy Director oversees and provides strategic direction for fundraising and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), media and multimedia rights, corporate partnerships, ticket sales and operations, fan experience, marketing, athletics communications, licensing, and digital media.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide strategic leadership, oversight, and coordination of all external operations and revenue-generating functions for UHMAD, including the development and execution of short- and long-term growth strategies, serving as a member of the Athletics Director’s Executive Leadership Team, contributing to departmental vision, policy development, and decision-making. 
2. Align external operations with departmental priorities to maximize revenue, brand exposure, and community engagement. 
3. Oversee and optimize all current and future revenue streams, including ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, multimedia rights, licensing, and fundraising and NIL in collaboration with development partners.
4. Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with corporate partners, donors, media entities, and community stakeholders.
5. Provide executive oversight of the department’s multimedia rights agreement, ensuring contractual performance and maximizing partnership value, leading negotiations and management of television, radio, and other broadcast agreements.
6. Oversee athletic apparel partnerships, ensuring fulfillment of contractual obligations and alignment with brand strategy.
7. Provide leadership and supervision for marketing, promotions, fan experience, athletics communications, and ticket operations, directing integrated marketing and communication strategies to enhance attendance, engagement, and brand visibility.
8. Evaluate and advance merchandising strategies to increase revenue and brand reach.
9. Oversee licensing and branding initiatives, including stewardship and expansion of the UH Athletics “H” mark.
10. Provide leadership and coordination of athletics fundraising efforts in partnership with the University of Hawai‘i Foundation, serving as liaison to key support organizations, including ‘Ahahui Koa Anuenue, Letterwinners Club, and booster groups.
11. Represent UHMAD through public speaking engagements, legislative affairs, community outreach, and external affairs initiatives.
12. Develop and enhance relationships with campus partners, alumni, donors, government entities, and the broader community to advance departmental goals.
13. Serve as sport administrator for assigned programs, providing guidance and oversight to coaches and staff to ensure competitive success and academic achievement, fostering collaboration across internal units to ensure alignment between external operations and overall department strategy.
14. Promote a culture of compliance and ethical conduct, including education, monitoring, and reporting of potential violations, ensuring compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, University policies, NCAA regulations, and conference rules, identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks related to financial, legal, reputational, and operational areas; fulfill responsibilities as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Clery Act.
15. Adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and policies and procedures of the University, raise awareness among staff, and direct them in such a way that University compliance requirements are met.
16. Identify and mitigate through policy development/revision/enhancement and training, areas of risk and developing risk to the University, e.g., legal, financial, reputation, and compliance risk, and ensure team is aware and focused on addressing same.
17. Support the Athletics Director in preparing reports, presentations, and testimony for governing bodies, including the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents and the Hawai‘i State Legislature.
18. Perform other duties as assigned by the Athletics Director.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or University.
2. Five (5) years of athletic administrative experience at the Division I collegiate level or analogous experience, or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
3. Demonstrated strong administrative, communication, and interpersonal skills.
4. Demonstrated ability to successfully fundraise or cultivate relationships with key donors, corporate sponsors, or athletic booster organizations. 
5. Experience negotiating contracts. 
6. Demonstrated ability to supervise subordinate personnel.
7. Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and effectively with people of diverse backgrounds
8. Experience managing/overseeing Athletics operations and budget.
9. Knowledge of management principles and practices.
10. Demonstrated ability to create a climate of positive media relations.
11. Ability to comprehend and interpret administrative directives and guidance to ensure IT operations align with organizational standards and industry best practices.
12. Knowledge of the role of intercollegiate athletics in a highly competitive academic environment.
13. Knowledge of solicitation principles and practices.
14. Knowledge of laws, regulations and University administrative policies and procedures which relate to contract negotiation and bidding process.
15. Excellent communication skills.
16. Demonstrated commitment to and thorough understanding of full compliance with the NCAA, conference and University rules and regulations.
17. Ability to understand and work effectively in Hawai‘i’s multi-cultural society.

Desirable Qualifications

1. Master’s degree or other advanced degree.
2. Demonstrated ability to successfully fundraise or cultivate relationships with key donors, corporate sponsors, or athletic booster organizations. 
3. Proven track record of building and maintaining effective relationships with Executive Level, Legislative, and City and County elected officials.
4. Experience in managing a comparable athletics program or enterprise of equivalent or greater complexity, including long-range planning, and selection and supervision of athletic, administrative and coaching staff or the equivalent.

To Apply:  Click on the “Apply” button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach 1) cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications, 2) resume, 3) names of 3 professional references (include title, email and phone number).

Inquiries:  Matt Elliott, Athletics Director, mme2019@hawaii.edu

EEO, Clery Act, ADA

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status.  For more information, visit:  https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

Accommodation Request:  The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly.  Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/

Salary : $162,156 - $291,885