Assoc. Athletic Dir. of Compliance and Student Athlete Welfare

Position Overview
Reporting to the Sr. Associate Athletic Director/SWA, the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student-Athlete Welfare is responsible for the oversight, supervision and coordination of all athletics compliance activities related to NCAA Division I, Conference, and Merrimack College bylaws, rules, and regulations. This position shall support a commitment to compliance and institutional control with all coaches, staff, student-athletes, university personnel, alumni and donors, mitigating risk for the college and the athletic department. The position will serve as the primary athletic liaison with the Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) and with campus enrollment service areas (offices of admissions, financial aid, housing, and registrar); and oversee the internal operations of student-athlete welfare (including academic services & SAAC). This individual will also serve as the primary sport administrator for several sports, pending experience and interests.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Oversee a comprehensive NCAA Division I athletics compliance program with a focus on education, creation, enforcement and monitoring of all policies and procedures, including, but not limited to recruiting, amateurism, eligibility, financial aid awards and benefits, and playing/practice seasons.

Position Overview
Reporting to the Sr. Associate Athletic Director/SWA, the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student-Athlete Welfare is responsible for the oversight, supervision and coordination of all athletics compliance activities related to NCAA Division I, Conference, and Merrimack College bylaws, rules, and regulations. This position shall support a commitment to compliance and institutional control with all coaches, staff, student-athletes, university personnel, alumni and donors, mitigating risk for the college and the athletic department. The position will serve as the primary athletic liaison with the Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) and with campus enrollment service areas (offices of admissions, financial aid, housing, and registrar); and oversee the internal operations of student-athlete welfare (including academic services & SAAC). This individual will also serve as the primary sport administrator for several sports, pending experience and interests.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Oversee a comprehensive NCAA Division I athletics compliance program with a focus on education, creation, enforcement and monitoring of all policies and procedures, including, but not limited to recruiting, amateurism, eligibility, financial aid awards and benefits, and playing/practice seasons.

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• Provide ongoing NCAA DI rules programming and consistently educate and interpret applicable rules for student-athletes, coaches, and staff on various matters; ensure donors and fans are informed and educated on applicable rules.

• Assure the timely investigation, resolution and self-reporting of NCAA rules violations and filing of waiver requests, as they may occur.
  Lead the research, writing and submission process for waiver requests.

• Compile required information and/or data to complete and submit all required reports, including but not limited to, Academic Progress Rate (APR), Sports Sponsorship and Demographics, EADA, and various conference and NCAA reports and surveys.

• Ensure all current policies and procedures are updated in the department's compliance handbook.

• Coordinate with the office of financial aid to monitor the administration of athletic financial aid, including working with the financial aid office to offer, apply, and evaluate financial aid for all student athletes.

• Oversee the National Letter of Intent process for incoming student-athletes.

• Serve as primary administrator regarding online NCAA Applications, ARMS software, and any other apps/software related to rules compliance, name, image and likeness (NIL), or similar area.

• Oversee the clinics approval process, ensuring compliance with relevant policies.

• Ensure completion of all required annual NCAA attestations.

• Provide oversight to the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Student-Athlete Affairs, and the Athletic Admissions Coordinator including the establishment of goals and priorities, ensuring opportunities for continued growth and professional development.

• Collaborate with the Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) to certify that all student-athletes meet all NCAA, conference and college requirements for initial and continuing eligibility for athletic participation, for both practice and intercollegiate competition, and financial aid.

• Work collaboratively with coaches, student-athletes and athletic department staff; and provide proactive communication on eligibility, academic and admissions issues.

• Monitor the NCAA continuing eligibility certification process.

• Plan and execute student-athlete academic services department strategies and goals.

• Plan and execute strategies to strengthen academic support services for student-athletes such as counseling, advising, requesting tutorials, class scheduling, major selection, progress toward degree and NCAA eligibility, degree progression, & time management.

• Serve as primary sports supervisor for several sports, pending experience and interests, by providing leadership, advice, counsel, oversight and guidance to the head coach of the assigned program.

• Foster and maintain a culture that demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as well as trust and mutual respect.

• Foster and maintain a culture within the department of athletics and key campus offices that demonstrates a commitment to NCAA rules compliance.

• Represent the department on a variety of campus committees as deemed appropriate.

• Willingness and ability to work nights/weekends, including non-traditional hours and holidays and travel with teams when necessary.

• Other duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

• Working knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations.

• Three to seven years of experience working in college compliance, with demonstrated growth in responsibilities; NCAA Division I experience preferred.

Position Competencies: 

• Working knowledge of NCAA Applications and ARMS software, preferred.

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to educate and communicate with a broad range of constituents about NCAA DI compliance

• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and manage stressful situations.

• Ability to handle multiple tasks at once and meet deadlines.

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Exceptional leadership skills.

Application Materials Should Include:

• Resume

• Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission, our values, and our desire to be a more diverse, equitable and inclusive institution of higher learning.

This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Vaccinations and Work Location 

This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.

The COVID-19 vaccine and booster for which an individual may be eligible are highly recommended for students, faculty and staff. Merrimack College does not require proof of COVID vaccination for enrollment, employment or to be a guest on our campus. 

Statement on Our Mission

Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building a culturally and racially diverse community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.

Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission and values and advance our work in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups. All candidates should describe in their application previous experience related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as how they will engage in fostering a culture that supports our Catholic and Augustinian mission and our values of diversity, equity and inclusion.

About Merrimack College

The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,000 undergraduate and 1,400 graduate students from 43 states and 42 countries. The College features more than 100 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has five schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy and the Girard school of business. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 33rd in the Regional Universities North category in 2024. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.