Director of Athletics

Simpson College

Location

Indianola, IA

Open Date

Jan 28, 2026

Description

Simpson College and Storm Athletics  

Simpson College is a four-year private college of the liberal arts and sciences affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Located just 12 miles south of Des Moines, the capital of Iowa, Simpson’s picturesque 75-acre campus in Indianola is home to more than 1,200 full-time undergraduate students with an additional 100 students enrolled in online and graduate programs. The College has a strong academic reputation and is a highly relational student-centric institution, placing significant value on high-impact and co-curricular learning. Simpson is Iowa's top-ranked private college and #5 overall in the recently released 2026 U.S. News & World Report Regional Midwest rankings. Simpson is also #1 in Iowa for "Best Value" while also earning a #4 overall ranking for the Midwest.  

Simpson College

Location

Indianola, IA

Open Date

Jan 28, 2026

Description

Simpson College and Storm Athletics  

Simpson College is a four-year private college of the liberal arts and sciences affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Located just 12 miles south of Des Moines, the capital of Iowa, Simpson’s picturesque 75-acre campus in Indianola is home to more than 1,200 full-time undergraduate students with an additional 100 students enrolled in online and graduate programs. The College has a strong academic reputation and is a highly relational student-centric institution, placing significant value on high-impact and co-curricular learning. Simpson is Iowa's top-ranked private college and #5 overall in the recently released 2026 U.S. News & World Report Regional Midwest rankings. Simpson is also #1 in Iowa for "Best Value" while also earning a #4 overall ranking for the Midwest.  

Over the past five years, Storm athletics has seen competitive success, strategic growth and notable facility improvements. Approximately 60 percent of current undergraduate students are athletes, participating in 24 NCAA Division III programs, two spirit teams (cheer and dance), and two club sports (shooting sports and men’s volleyball). In 2021, the college added men’s and women’s gymnastics as well as women’s wrestling. Storm teams have reached NCAA Division III appearances by women’s basketball (2022), women’s soccer (2023, 2024), softball (2025), and an individual champion in track and field (2024). Recent facility upgrades include new turf and track at Buxton Stadium, new infield turf for softball and baseball, numerous enhancements to Cowles Fieldhouse, resurfaced tennis courts, and in January 2026, completion of the Fiterman Training Facility for gymnastics.  

The City of Indianola is home to Simpson and is a flourishing, collaborative, and growing community of 16,000 people. It has a charming, central town square with thriving restaurants and coffee shops. Greater Des Moines serves as the government, commercial, cultural, and recreational hub for the state of Iowa. Des Moines prides itself on its vibrant economy, world-class amenities, friendly communities, short commutes, affordable housing, excellent education system, and high-quality health care. 

Position Summary      

The Director of Athletics provides strategic leadership, vision and oversight for Simpson College’s athletics program. Reporting to the president and serving as a member of Cabinet, the Director of Athletics fosters an environment focusing on the holistic development, academic and personal success, and competitive excellence of student athletes. The Director leads all athletic operations, including budget management, compliance with conference and NCAA Division III regulations, recruitment and development of personnel, and facilities. In addition, the Director collaborates with multiple departments to meet student-athlete recruitment and retention goals; demonstrates a commitment to the student-athlete experience; and serves as the face of Storm athletics to cultivate alumni and donor engagement.

Key Responsibilities  

• Create an environment where all student-athletes and staff feel respected, supported and valued.  

• Recruit, hire, mentor, motivate, supervise, and evaluate all full and part-time department employees. Meet often with staff to plan and coordinate events, assign and evaluate projects, and resolve problems. 

• Assess the athletics program regularly to maintain and enhance competitiveness, identify innovative initiatives, ensure continual improvement, and develop and maximize the student athlete experience. 

• Ensure successful recruitment of prospective student-athletes by working with Enrollment to monitor recruitment and roster goals of all coaches and support them in achieving those goals.  

• Communicate regularly with key campus personnel and collaborate with campus offices to plan, problem-solve, and promote the student-athlete experience. Collaborate with college stakeholders to foster academic success for student-athletes. 

• Effectively allocate available resources to support goals and objectives. Develop, implement, and monitor the annual operating budget. 

• Assess and recommend athletic facility improvements.   

• Serve as the face of athletics in fundraising activities, supporting Advancement staff in all philanthropic activities involving athletics including increasing alumni engagement, fostering donor relationships, and securing and sustaining sponsorships from businesses and individuals. 

• Strengthen school spirit and community pride at athletic events. Build strong relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and community partners and advance the visibility and long-term success of Storm athletics. 

• Develop and implement operating policies, procedures, and initiatives that build and maintain healthy, competitive athletic programs; support NCAA and conference rules; and promote good sportsmanship.  

• Supervise all regular department operations associated with scheduling, athletic performance, sports information, team travel, equipment purchasing and maintenance, and facility and event management.  

• Represent Simpson College at NCAA and conference meetings. Represent and promote the athletic program to alumni, parents, prospective and current student-athletes, and at various public relations and fundraising functions. 

• Manage appropriate department records systems. Prepare a variety of administrative and management reports including EADA and various NCAA documents.  

• Keep abreast of current developments in higher education athletics programs, including athletic association regulations and guidelines, and ensure Simpson College’s compliance with the latter. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree in athletics administration, sports management, or a related field preferred. 

• At least six years of successful senior-level leadership in athletics administration at the NCAA Division III level (preferred) including personnel management, student-athlete recruitment and retention, budget management, compliance, operations, and policy development. 

• Experience in coaching at the college level preferred. 

• Personal commitment to, and knowledge of, the NCAA Division III philosophy. 

• Demonstrated commitment to creating environments where all student-athletes and staff feel respected, supported and valued. 

• Documented success in fundraising and commitment to the development of alumni and donor relationships. 

• Knowledge of technology related to college athletic programs and program management. 

• Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders. 

• The ability to work nights and weekends to fully participate in athletics, recruiting, and college-wide programs and events. 

Application Instructions

To apply, provide the following: 

• Letter of application 

• Current resume/curriculum vitae (CV) 

• Names and telephone numbers/e-mail addresses of three references 

Review of applications will begin immediately. Apply by February 20 to receive priority consideration.  

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire.  At this time, we are not able to employ individuals who require sponsorship for current or future employment authorization. 

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