Director of Athletics

EXPIRED

General Summary of Position:

The University of Massachusetts Lowell, located in Lowell, Massachusetts, is seeking a dynamic leader to fill the position of Director of Athletics.

The Director of Athletics provides leadership for a department of over 100 coaches and staff who are deeply committed to the development of 400+ student-athletes across 16 varsity programs. As part of the university’s senior staff, the AD provides leadership for all aspects of the intercollegiate athletics programs while also working closely with multiple internal and external constituencies to advance the University’s mission, strategic objectives, and goals. The AD represents UMass Lowell and the Department with integrity while ensuring compliance with University, NCAA, America East and Hockey East Conference policies, fosters a positive culture of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, and promotes the role of athletics in the River Hawks and Lowell communities.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

General Summary of Position:

The University of Massachusetts Lowell, located in Lowell, Massachusetts, is seeking a dynamic leader to fill the position of Director of Athletics.

The Director of Athletics provides leadership for a department of over 100 coaches and staff who are deeply committed to the development of 400+ student-athletes across 16 varsity programs. As part of the university’s senior staff, the AD provides leadership for all aspects of the intercollegiate athletics programs while also working closely with multiple internal and external constituencies to advance the University’s mission, strategic objectives, and goals. The AD represents UMass Lowell and the Department with integrity while ensuring compliance with University, NCAA, America East and Hockey East Conference policies, fosters a positive culture of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, and promotes the role of athletics in the River Hawks and Lowell communities.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as a leader with integrity who is committed to playing by the rules.
• Collaborate with the Chancellor and other academic leaders to ensure that the department of athletics is supporting the educational mission of the institution.
• Commit to elevating the student-athlete experience by prioritizing high academic success along with the health, welfare, and total development of student-athletes.
• Be a leader who is trustworthy, consistent, decisive, and empowering, whose staff follows because they want to, not because they must.
• Serve as a leader who will build authentic relationships with student-athletes, attend competitions, be present at student-athlete led meetings, and encourage the student-athlete voice in shaping key initiatives and support of the UMass Lowell Athletics program.
• Be an inspiring and innovative leader with great vision who can creatively connect with and motivate various stakeholders.
• Be an organized professional who has experience in strategic planning and creating a path forward with goals and aspirations to achieve at a competitive level.
• Be an experienced leader who understands and appreciates the complexities and constraints of a conservative budget and who is willing to be an active fundraiser.
• Serve as a demonstrated partner who has collaborated with other campus leaders and will contribute to the University’s overall well-being and vitality, including campus leadership, faculty, staff, and the student body.
• Be a forward-thinking leader seeking collaborative research and development partnerships to unlock the potential of student-athletes and revolutionize the sporting landscape.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, fostering open communication and positive relationships with coaches and staff to enhance team collaboration and performance.
• Be a poised and politically astute leader who will skillfully communicate (orally and in writing) and effectively navigate competing interests among key constituents while facing public scrutiny.
• Be someone with an appreciation for a public institution located in an urban community who can build genuine relationships with both the largest donors and the average season ticket holder and galvanize the Lowell community and surrounding cities.
• Demonstrate an appreciation for and commitment to Title IX compliance, with an equal commitment to men’s and women’s varsity teams across the board.
• Be a demonstrated champion of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion who will spearhead initiatives and cultivate an environment of belonging.
• Serve as a results-oriented leader with high expectations of the staff and who will hold people accountable and is willing to make the tough decisions that are in the best interest of the University.
• Bring experience working at the NCAA Division I level, preferably at similarly resourced and positioned institutions as UMass Lowell. The committee will also consider other candidates who have demonstrated success in the AD position in other Divisions.
• Be a leader familiar with major issues and trends in the rapidly changing NCAA landscape (e.g., NIL, transfer portals, social media, etc.).
• Be an entrepreneurial leader who is willing to think outside of the box when solving problems or seeking opportunities.
• Demonstrate a familiarity with and connections to other leaders, especially those at institutions, enterprises, conferences, and intercollegiate sports organizations that present future opportunities for the University.

About University of Massachusetts Lowell
The University of Massachusetts Lowell is a nationally ranked public research university committed to excellence in teaching, research and community engagement. The university strives to prepare students to succeed in college and to become lifelong learners and informed citizens in a global environment. UMass Lowell offers affordable, experience-based undergraduate and graduate academic programs taught by internationally recognized faculty who conduct research to expand the horizons of knowledge and sustainable practices. The programs span and interconnect the disciplines of business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. The university continues to build on its founding tradition of innovation, entrepreneurship and partnerships with industry and the community to address challenges facing the region and the world.

UMass Lowell Athletics (the River Hawks ) fields 16 teams at the Division I level that compete in the America East Conference and Hockey East Conference. The UMass Lowell Department of Athletics seeks to conduct an intercollegiate athletics program that inspires student-athletes to achieve excellence in their academic and athletic pursuits; emphasizes character, courage, and respect; and creates a sense of pride for the campus and community.

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

• Bachelor’s degree.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in athletic administration
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressive leadership experience in collegiate athletics administration.
• Working knowledge of NCAA Division I athletics programs and what is required to achieve success at that level within the changing policy landscape. Experience dealing with issues such as NIL, transfer portal, conference realignment, Transformation Committee, and student-athlete mental health and wellness.
• Demonstrated high integrity and ethical standards.
• Excellent organizational, management, planning and marketing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to represent the institution with professionalism and knowledge.
• Proven capability to manage multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s or Doctorate degree preferred.
• Demonstrated success in a Division I athletics program.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

We have engaged Collegiate Sports Associates, a national executive search firm, to assist with this search. The position will remain open until filled; but, for best consideration, applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of application and resume electronically via: www.collegiatesportsassociates.com by May 17, 2024. No hard-copy applications will be accepted. Nominations for the position and questions concerning the job requirements or hiring process should be directed to: steph@collegiatesportsassociates.com