Deputy Athletics Director - Olympic Sport Leadership and SWA

Hiring Department

 

Intercollegiate Athletics.

Job Description

 

The University of Missouri Department of Athletics is seeking a transformational leader to serve as Deputy Athletics Director – Olympic Sport Leadership and SWA. Reporting directly to the Director of Athletics, this position serves as the department's senior administrator responsible for the strategic oversight, leadership, and performance of all Olympic Sport programs. They will provide direct supervision to sport administrators and head coaches, ensuring alignment between competitive success, student-athlete development, fiscal responsibility, and institutional priorities.

This position serves as the primary leader for sport operations and competitive excellence, fostering a culture of accountability, communication, collaboration, innovation, and championship performance. They will play a critical role in driving departmental strategy, managing key personnel decisions, and advancing the overall success of Missouri Athletics.

Key Responsibilities

1.    Executive Leadership, Olympic Sport Oversight, and Competitive Excellence (35%)

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Hiring Department

 

Intercollegiate Athletics.

Job Description

 

The University of Missouri Department of Athletics is seeking a transformational leader to serve as Deputy Athletics Director – Olympic Sport Leadership and SWA. Reporting directly to the Director of Athletics, this position serves as the department's senior administrator responsible for the strategic oversight, leadership, and performance of all Olympic Sport programs. They will provide direct supervision to sport administrators and head coaches, ensuring alignment between competitive success, student-athlete development, fiscal responsibility, and institutional priorities.

This position serves as the primary leader for sport operations and competitive excellence, fostering a culture of accountability, communication, collaboration, innovation, and championship performance. They will play a critical role in driving departmental strategy, managing key personnel decisions, and advancing the overall success of Missouri Athletics.

Key Responsibilities

1.    Executive Leadership, Olympic Sport Oversight, and Competitive Excellence (35%)

•    Serve as a key member of the Athletics Executive Leadership Team and strategic advisor to the Director of Athletics.
•    Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight for the department's Olympic sport programs, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and departmental goals.
•    Directly supervise assigned sport administrators and head coaches while fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, collaboration, and student-athlete success.
•    Lead strategic planning initiatives that enhance competitive excellence, operational effectiveness, and long-term program sustainability.
•    Establish performance expectations and accountability measures for assigned programs and personnel.
•    Evaluate competitive performance, resource utilization, and operational outcomes across Olympic sport programs.
•    Partner with coaches and sport administrators to develop long-term strategies for competitive success, student-athlete development, and program growth.
•    Promote collaboration among coaches, administrators, and support units to maximize the student-athlete experience and departmental effectiveness.
•    Identify opportunities for innovation, organizational improvement, and operational efficiencies across assigned programs.
•    Maintain a visible presence at practices, competitions, and department events while cultivating strong relationships with coaches, staff, and student-athletes.

2.    Senior Woman Administrator Leadership and Student-Athlete Experience (25%)

•    Serve as the department's Senior Woman Administrator (SWA), providing executive leadership on matters impacting student-athlete welfare, gender equity, and institutional culture.
•    Advocate for an outstanding student-athlete experience by promoting academic achievement, competitive success, leadership development, health and wellness, and personal growth.
•    Partner with campus and athletics units to enhance student-athlete support services, including academics, sports medicine, mental health, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and student development.
•    Provide leadership for initiatives that advance diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and Title IX principles throughout the department.
•    Serve as the Athletics Department's representative on conference, NCAA, and institutional committees as assigned.
•    Foster leadership development opportunities for student-athletes, coaches, and athletics administrators.
•    Build meaningful relationships with campus leadership and external stakeholders to advance departmental initiatives.

3.    Sport Administration, Personnel Leadership, and Organizational Development (20%)

•    Provide leadership, supervision, and professional development for sport administrators to ensure consistent operational excellence and support across assigned programs.
•    Advise the Director of Athletics on coaching evaluations, succession planning, organizational structure, and leadership development.
•    Participate in the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, retention, and evaluation of coaches and key athletics personnel.
•    Collaborate with Human Resources on employment matters, performance management, and organizational effectiveness.
•    Review staffing models and organizational needs to support departmental priorities and strategic growth.
•    Lead initiatives that strengthen communication, collaboration, and professional development across the athletics department.
•    Support succession planning and talent development to build a high-performing organizational culture.

4.    Strategic Planning, Resource Management, and External Collaboration (10%)

•    Collaborate with senior leadership to establish departmental priorities, strategic initiatives, and long-range planning efforts.
•    Provide strategic oversight of resource allocation to ensure alignment with institutional goals and competitive priorities.
•    Partner with finance, development, external relations, NIL, and revenue-generation units to support the success and sustainability of Olympic sport programs.
•    Assist with facility planning, capital projects, and operational initiatives that enhance the student-athlete experience.
•    Monitor emerging trends in collegiate athletics—including NCAA governance, conference realignment, NIL, revenue sharing, and the evolving regulatory landscape—and recommend strategic responses.
•    Lead special projects and cross-functional initiatives as assigned by the Director of Athletics.

5.    Governance, Compliance, and Institutional Leadership (10%)

•    Ensure assigned programs operate in compliance with NCAA, conference, institutional, and federal regulations, including Title IX and gender equity requirements.
•    Represent the Athletics Department in conference, NCAA, campus, and national leadership opportunities as appropriate.
•    Advise the Director of Athletics on policy development, governance matters, and emerging issues affecting intercollegiate athletics.
•    Support enterprise risk management, crisis response, and institutional decision-making processes.
•    Perform other duties and strategic initiatives as assigned by the Director of Athletics.

Shift

 

Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm; Nights, Weekends, and Travel as required.

Minimum Qualifications

 

A Bachelor's degree in related/ relevant area or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 6 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

 

Prior Collegiate Athletic Administration experience is preferred.

Anticipated Hiring Range

 

Market Position; salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Grade: GGS MKT

University Title: Senior Associate Athletic Director

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Sponsorship Information

 

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Community Information

 

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours’ drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County’s largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year.  If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

Benefit Eligibility

 

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses.  For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

 

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.

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