Director of Athletics

EXPIRED

Saint Olaf College

Northfield, MN

Posted Date: Jan 10, 2025

Expired Date: Feb 12, 2025

Posted Date: Jan 10, 2025

Expired Date: Feb 12, 2025

Expired Job Link

QUALIFICATION

Salary Expectation
$150,000-$170,000/yr
Years of Experience
2+ Years
Work Type
Full-time

ABOUT PROGRAM

Saint Olaf College
St. Olaf College Athletics, Athletics Wikipedia Page

Conference

MIAC (DIII)

SPORTS/DEPARTMENT

Senior Leadership

About the Job

Job Description

Director of Athletics

Northfield, MN, United States

Job Description

Director of Athletics, St. Olaf College

Salary: $150,00 - $170,000

Exempt/Full-time

Location: Northfield, Minnesota

Reports to: College President

Position: The Director of Athletics is responsible for the leadership and management of the intercollegiate athletics program. St. Olaf College is a NCAA Division III athletics program and offers 24 sports programs. There are 12 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams with approximately 600 student-athletes. St. Olaf College is a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC).

Director of Athletics

Northfield, MN, United States

Job Description

Director of Athletics, St. Olaf College

Salary: $150,00 - $170,000

Exempt/Full-time

Location: Northfield, Minnesota

Reports to: College President

Direct Reports: Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Performance and Assistant Athletics for Strategic Communications.

St. Olaf College invites applications for the Director of Athletics. The Director of Athletics provides strategic leadership for a comprehensive and highly competitive NCAA Division III athletics program within a college environment that promotes academic success, athletic achievement and student engagement. The Director of Athletics is a full-time, 12-month position that reports directly to the College President. The Director of Athletics is a member of the President’s Leadership Team.

About St. Olaf College

Known as The Hill, St. Olaf’s picturesque 300-acre campus with 350 acres of restored wetlands, woodlands, and native tallgrass prairie is home to a diverse and student-centered liberal arts college. Founded in 1874 by Norwegian Lutheran immigrants, St. Olaf is a nationally ranked liberal arts college with approximately 3,100 enrolled students with 96% living on campus. The 2024 annual ranking by U.S. News & World Report rates St. Olaf 50th among National Liberal Arts Colleges. A St. Olaf education embraces the entire undergraduate experience. Students learn in the classroom. They also learn in residence halls, rehearsal rooms, practice fields, worship services, student employment and community organizations. St. Olaf College is in Northfield, Minnesota, a beautiful community of approximately 20,000 located on the banks of the Cannon River and only a short drive away from the Twin Cities.

St. Olaf College Athletics

St. Olaf College’s outstanding athletics program continually ranks among the top NCAA Division III programs in the nation. The athletics program boasts a long history of competitive success for both team and individual championships. St. Olaf College sponsors 24 sports across 26 seasons, engaging approximately 600 student-athletes. Men’s sports programs include alpine skiing, baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, hockey, Nordic skiing, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis and track and field. Women’s sports programs include alpine skiing, basketball, cross country, golf, hockey, Nordic skiing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. St. Olaf College features some of the best athletics facilities in the Midwest.

In the 2024-25 academic year there are 593 student-athletes of which 250 (42%) are females and 343 (58%) are males. Out of approximately 3,100 undergraduates 19% are student-athletes. The gender distribution of the St. Olaf College undergraduate population is 41% male compared to 58% of males participating in the athletics program. There are 57% of females enrolled as undergraduates compared to 42% females participating in the athletics program. Of the 861 incoming students in Fall 2024, student-athletes comprise 20% of the incoming class.

The Oles have competed exceptionally in the MIAC and has the most sports out of the 12 other Division III colleges and universities within MIAC. In the NACDA LEARFIELD Director’s Cup results in 2023-24 St. Olaf finished 61st with 297.50 points; in 2022-23 St. Olaf finished 64th with 280 points and in 2021-22 St. Olaf finished 71st with 245 points.

Primary Responsibilities:

Collaborate with the College President and members of the President’s Leadership Team to develop and implement a strategic vision to accomplish goals and measurable objectives for the athletics program.
Determine the use of resources to support goals and objectives through the development, management and implementation of an annual operating budget.
Oversee the acquisition of revenues in addition to supplemental annual institutional allocations through fund-raising and additional outside revenues.
Determine the organizational structure and oversee the acquisition of personnel required to conduct the athletics program and all support services.
Select, mentor and manage all head coaches and other leaders within the athletics program.
Develop and implement best practices in all areas of the athletics program, including training, policies, and safety.
Represent the institution at conference and national athletic governance association meetings.
Ensure that the use of all resources is congruent with the highest standards of fiscal accountability and ethical conduct.
Produce routine reports on the status of the athletics program and other reports at the request of the College President.
Represent the athletics program on internal institution standing and ad hoc committees as requested by the College President.
Collaborate with the Director of Recreational Sports to ensure fair use, care, and maintenance of sports-related facilities.
Engage in community service, public relations, and other outreach activities that enhance alumni and public respect for the College and its athletics program.
Collaborate with College leaders in Academic Affairs and Student Life ensure that the athletics program operates as an educational sports program, emphasizing a proper balance on academic and athletic performance outcomes as demonstrated by competitive success, graduation rates and academic progress and success of student-athletes.
Collaborate with College leaders in Admissions/Financial Aid ensure an integrated approach to recruitment that aligns with College goals for enrollment, academic preparation and financial need.
Perform other duties as assigned by the College President.
Conform to the highest standards of professional conduct regarding compliance with institutional policies and procedures and adherence to the rules and regulations of athletic governance organizations of which the institution is a member.
Contribute to the maintenance of good working relationships with all staff, student-athletes, and external constituents through (a) a positive and constructive approach to all assignments, (b) respect for the competencies of others, and (c) appropriate conflict management skills.
Ensure compliance with Title IX regulations and create an atmosphere of community and belonging.

Education and Certification Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in athletics administration/sports management or related field

Required Experience and Competency skills:

Minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience as a successful athletics administrator in college athletics; demonstrated success in revenue acquisition and outreach activities; successful experience in strategic planning, budget management and personnel management. Knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations. Understanding of Title IX requirements. Demonstrated commitment to fair and equitable treatment of student-athletes and staff. Excellent interpersonal skills.

Preferred Experience:

Prior experience as a NCAA Division II or III athletics director leading a successful athletics program; previous CEO or executive director experience; demonstrated competency in the negotiation of licensing, or merchandising programs. Four years as a collegiate head coach. Demonstrated success as an outstanding friend, fan and fundraiser.
Preferred: Master’s degree in business administration; sports management; J.D. or related

The Successful Candidate

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following professional qualifications, skills, experience and personal qualities:

A track record of outstanding leadership and management; demonstrated ability to mentor and support staff and provide successful oversight of personnel, budget and athletics facilities; a track record for inspiring colleagues as well as a commitment to accountability.
Knowledge of athletics administration at the collegiate level and familiarity with NCAA rules and regulations
Excellent communication skills
Unimpeachable integrity
Commitment to quality and excellence
A demonstrated commitment to gender equity, community and belonging
A relationship builder with internal and external stakeholders
A track record as a successful friend, fan and fundraiser
Demonstrated success in strategic planning

To Apply

For full consideration, please create a profile and upload your resume and cover letter at https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/careers/.

Review of candidates will begin immediately (with initial review of candidates beginning February 1) and continue until the position is filled. The successful candidate must complete a background check prior to being offered the position.

St. Olaf College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The College seeks to enhance the diversity of its faculty and staff. People of color, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

About Us

Who We Are:

Founded in 1874, St. Olaf College is a residential, coeducational liberal arts college with approximately 3,000 students and 800 faculty and staff. The college is located on a picturesque 300-acre campus in Northfield, Minnesota, a vibrant, historic river town of 20,000 located 45 minutes south of culturally rich and diverse Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The college offers an academically rigorous, nationally ranked liberal arts education that fosters the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit and emphasizes learning in an inclusive and globally engaged community. We encourage applications from candidates committed to multicultural understanding and the enrichment of our diverse community.

The college offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a 9% retirement match, monthly contributions to a retirement healthcare account, contributions to eligible employees' health savings accounts, a significant tuition discount (up to an 80% reduction) at ACM and ELCA colleges and universities for employees' children, and generous paid time off. For a full review of the college's benefits, please see the summary of our benefits here: https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/benefits/

To provide a safe and secure educational environment, St. Olaf College verifies the accuracy of all credentials presented by applicants and conducts a criminal background check on every new hire.

A summary of the Flexible Work Policy for staff: https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/flexible-work-policy/

A link to our DEI page: https://wp.stolaf.edu/equity-inclusion/

A virtual campus tour: https://www.stolaf.edu/multimedia/pla...

An overview of Northfield: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visi...

An overview of the Twin Cities: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visi...

The college strongly recommends that incoming students and new employees complete the primary COVID vaccine series before beginning their studies or work on campus, and that all members of our campus community remain up to date with COVID vaccines, per CDC guidance.

For Staff Application Assistance:
employment@stolaf.edu
507-786-3068

For Faculty Application Assistance:
facultysearch@stolaf.edu
507-786-3356

Nondiscrimination Policy St. Olaf College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance. St. Olaf College prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon these and any other legally protected status in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admissions and employment.

Inquiries about this nondiscrimination policy may be referred to St. Olaf College's Director of Equal Opportunity, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights or both. St. Olaf's Director of Equal Opportunity (who serves as the College's Title IX, Title VI, and Section 504 Coordinator) is Pamela McDowell, Tomson Hall, mcdowell@stolaf.edu, (507) 786-3465.

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