The Athletic Equipment Manager serves as the lead administrator for all athletic equipment operations, providing independent oversight and strategic management of equipment logistics for 18 NCAA varsity sports, including a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) program. This role requires a level of autonomy and decision-making to ensure the safe, compliant, and cost-effective operation of the equipment department. The Director exercises substantial independent judgment in managing budgets, staff, vendor relationships, and sport-specific needs while developing systems and procedures that support the overall mission of the athletics department.

This is a complex and dynamic position that functions with supervision and requires the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. The Director supervises a team of three full-time equipment staff as well as students and works collaboratively with coaches, administrators, sports medicine, operations, and external vendors.

Duties/Responsibilities

Strategic Equipment Management (40%)

• Serve as the department’s lead authority on equipment operations and logistics, making decisions on purchasing, inventory control, and distribution across 18 varsity sports.

• Analyze, develop, and implement equipment policies and procedures to ensure compliance with NCAA, institutional, and safety standards.

• Lead the development of sport-specific equipment budgets in collaboration with coaches and senior leadership; exercise discretion in purchasing and vendor negotiations.

• Oversee the department’s equipment operations staff, including hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations, to ensure high standards of service and efficiency.

• Maintain accurate financial and inventory records, prepare periodic operational reports, and present findings and recommendations to senior athletics leadership.

• Coordinate appropriate units to align equipment needs with broader department goals and timelines.

• Represent the department in equipment-related matters at conference, institutional, and vendor meetings; develop strategic partnerships to maximize resources and brand alignment.

• Ensure adherence to risk management protocols, including oversight of equipment maintenance, repair, and replacement cycles.

The Athletic Equipment Manager serves as the lead administrator for all athletic equipment operations, providing independent oversight and strategic management of equipment logistics for 18 NCAA varsity sports, including a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) program. This role requires a level of autonomy and decision-making to ensure the safe, compliant, and cost-effective operation of the equipment department. The Director exercises substantial independent judgment in managing budgets, staff, vendor relationships, and sport-specific needs while developing systems and procedures that support the overall mission of the athletics department.

This is a complex and dynamic position that functions with supervision and requires the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. The Director supervises a team of three full-time equipment staff as well as students and works collaboratively with coaches, administrators, sports medicine, operations, and external vendors.

Duties/Responsibilities

Strategic Equipment Management (40%)

• Serve as the department’s lead authority on equipment operations and logistics, making decisions on purchasing, inventory control, and distribution across 18 varsity sports.

• Analyze, develop, and implement equipment policies and procedures to ensure compliance with NCAA, institutional, and safety standards.

• Lead the development of sport-specific equipment budgets in collaboration with coaches and senior leadership; exercise discretion in purchasing and vendor negotiations.

• Oversee the department’s equipment operations staff, including hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations, to ensure high standards of service and efficiency.

• Maintain accurate financial and inventory records, prepare periodic operational reports, and present findings and recommendations to senior athletics leadership.

• Coordinate appropriate units to align equipment needs with broader department goals and timelines.

• Represent the department in equipment-related matters at conference, institutional, and vendor meetings; develop strategic partnerships to maximize resources and brand alignment.

• Ensure adherence to risk management protocols, including oversight of equipment maintenance, repair, and replacement cycles.

Football Operations Oversight (35%)

• Independently manage all daily equipment operations for the FCS football program, including practice setup, equipment fitting, and travel coordination.

• Make autonomous decisions regarding the preparation, repair, transportation, and management of football gear and uniforms for both home and away games.

• Coordinate with coaching and operations staff to ensure all football-related equipment needs are proactively met.

Inventory Control & Compliance (15%)

• Utilize inventory management systems to track asset lifecycle, streamline distribution, and reduce waste or duplication.

• Ensure proper maintenance, fitting, and certification of protective equipment, particularly football helmets and pads, in accordance with NOCSAE and AEMA standards.

• Oversees the football helmet communications system, including setup, maintenance, testing, and troubleshooting of coach-to-player communication devices to ensure compliance with NCAA and conference regulations. Coordinates with coaching staff, IT, and game operations to ensure optimal functionality on game days and during practices.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of and ensure department-wide adherence to NCAA equipment rules and institutional compliance policies.

Vendor & Contract Management (5%)

• Act as primary liaison with apparel and equipment providers, exercising independent judgment in coordinating orders, timelines, and branding requirements.

• Oversee execution and fulfillment of apparel contracts, ensuring compliance with vendor agreements and branding guidelines.

Staff Leadership & Supervision (5%)

• Provide direct supervision, training, and performance management of three full-time equipment staff.

• Delegate assignments, evaluate workload distribution, and ensure accountability for meeting department standards and deadlines.

Requirements

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in athletic equipment operations, including supervisory responsibilities and direct experience with football.

• Demonstrated ability to make independent operational and personnel decisions in a complex work environment.

• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

• Proficiency with athletics inventory software and systems.

• Ability to lift and transport items up to 50 pounds and work non-standard hours, including weekends and travel.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Experience overseeing equipment operations for NCAA football program(s), either FCS or FBS.

• Familiarity with vendor contract administration and brand management.

• Budget oversight experience with multiple sport programs.

Applicant Instructions

Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online within the Resume/Cover Letter section of your application:

• Resume/CV

• Cover Letter

• Contact Information for 3 Professional References

Applications that are missing any of the required items may not move forward for consideration.  Additional uploaded documents not requested in the position announcement will not be reviewed.

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

Compensation Pay Range:

$45,790.00 - $81,530.00

The pay range for this position is listed above. Actual offer will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity, in addition to relevant business considerations. More information on benefits can be found here: USNH Employee Benefits | Human Resources

Location:

Durham

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