Senior Associate Athletic Director, Governance & Compliance

Pay Grade: 33E

Context of the Job:
The Senior Associate Athletic Director (AD) for Governance and Compliance at the University of Delaware is a valued member within the University and Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus and Community Recreation (DACCR), upholding and embracing the departmental mission of “Achieving Excellence Together.” Under the direction of the Deputy AD for Sport Administration and Student Success, the Senior Associate Athletic Director (Sr Associate AD) is responsible for leading, planning and organizing all phases of a Division I NCAA governance & compliance program for 21 varsity sports and more than 600 student-athletes, athletics department and University administration & staff, representatives of athletics interests, and other outside constituencies. The Sr Associate AD will serve as the UD liaison to the NCAA and Conference Office on legislative and governance matters, and will ensure that UD voice is heard in discussions of conference and national office change. The Sr Associate AD will work collaboratively with the Vice President & General Counsel Office to limit risk exposure to the University, personnel, and public image by ensuring that all activities comply with relevant legal standards and requirements. The Sr Associate AD is responsible for education, monitoring and enforcement of University, Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and NCAA bylaws and regulations, and interacts with various campus constituencies and the University community (e.g., Board of Trustees, Senior University Officials, representatives of athletics interests) in implementing an effective compliance program.

The Sr Associate AD must lead with a solution-oriented spirit, while upholding the values, legislative standards, and rules and guidelines required based on the university’s various memberships.

Pay Grade: 33E

Context of the Job:
The Senior Associate Athletic Director (AD) for Governance and Compliance at the University of Delaware is a valued member within the University and Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus and Community Recreation (DACCR), upholding and embracing the departmental mission of “Achieving Excellence Together.” Under the direction of the Deputy AD for Sport Administration and Student Success, the Senior Associate Athletic Director (Sr Associate AD) is responsible for leading, planning and organizing all phases of a Division I NCAA governance & compliance program for 21 varsity sports and more than 600 student-athletes, athletics department and University administration & staff, representatives of athletics interests, and other outside constituencies. The Sr Associate AD will serve as the UD liaison to the NCAA and Conference Office on legislative and governance matters, and will ensure that UD voice is heard in discussions of conference and national office change. The Sr Associate AD will work collaboratively with the Vice President & General Counsel Office to limit risk exposure to the University, personnel, and public image by ensuring that all activities comply with relevant legal standards and requirements. The Sr Associate AD is responsible for education, monitoring and enforcement of University, Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and NCAA bylaws and regulations, and interacts with various campus constituencies and the University community (e.g., Board of Trustees, Senior University Officials, representatives of athletics interests) in implementing an effective compliance program.

The Sr Associate AD must lead with a solution-oriented spirit, while upholding the values, legislative standards, and rules and guidelines required based on the university’s various memberships.

Major Responsibilities:

Team Leadership

• Manages the Compliance team. This includes providing leadership, setting and evaluating team and individual goals, developing and sustaining appropriate training, and monitoring the primary focus area of team members.
• Summarizes and reports on all team responsibilities and activities.
• Drives a culture of analytics to pursue continuous improvement in all responsible areas.
• Develops and manages the team budget.
• Proactively builds and maintains positive and collaborative working relationships with colleagues across campus to enhance the Athletic Department brand and the University of Delaware mission.
• Partners with the development team to assist in the department’s fundraising efforts through attending events, participating in gift conversations, and building relationships with our constituents.
• The Sr Associate AD will work collaboratively with the Vice President & General Counsel Office to limit risk exposure to the University, personnel, and public image by ensuring that all activities comply with relevant legal standards and requirements.
• Proactively maintains knowledge of current trends in the areas of responsibility.

Governance & Compliance

• Leads, organizes, and manages all aspects of Athletics Compliance activities.
• Leads the department effort as the primary oversight of liaison with Admissions, Student Financial Services, and the Registrar, ensuring seamless coordination.
• Serves as the University’s primary compliance liaison to the NCAA and Conference offices, ensuring that UD is well represented at the conference and national levels and plays a role in helping to shape the future of college athletics.
• Responsible for leading the department-wide strategic utilization of ARMS. This includes but is not limited to understanding the functionality and oversight of appropriate training and education on systems use. Evaluate future technology solutions for potential implementation.
• Lead monitoring of name, image, and likeness (NIL) activities and providing NIL compliance education to stakeholders. Serves as the key compliance liaison to the department NIL team.
• Designs, directs, implements, and coordinates an engaging, comprehensive, and interactive rules education program involving student-athletes, coaches, administrators and other campus constituencies, and representatives of athletics interests (boosters).
• Serve as the UD liaison to the NCAA and Conference Office for purposes of all legislative and governance matters, including evaluation and implementation of NCAA legislation (based on input from UD coaches and administrators) and Board of Governor directives.
• Collaborates with\ the Deputy AD on the development and implementation of compliance-related internal policies and procedures (e.g., UD Drug Testing Program, Medical Disqualification Policy, scholarship philosophy and processes, etc.).
• Responsible for creating a clear process for review, approval and reporting on the use of the NCAA Student Assistance Fund. Working in partnership the Deputy AD for Sport Administration and Student Success, and the business office.
• Responds in a timely and supportive manner to questions, helping to interpret regulations regarding NCAA and CAA bylaws that coaches, athletic department personnel, student-athletes, athletics representatives, and the general public may ask.
• Collaborates with the Deputy AD for Sport Administration and Student Success on program roster and scholarship management, including defining limits to comply with Title IX and gender equity requirements, and tracking roster changes, transfers, and communication to necessary Sport Administration team members.
• Investigates and reports alleged violations to appropriate University officials, CAA, and/or the national governing body, as applicable.
• Maintains updated Compliance Policy & Procedure Handbook and website, including regular assessment and development of new forms, workflows, and procedures, as necessary.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in sport management, athletic administration, or related field.
• Seven years experience in NCAA Compliance, including three or more years of management/supervisory experience in a compliance-related position at either a Division 1 athletics compliance office, a related position at a Division 1 conference and/or the NCAA.
• Knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations.
• Proficiency in commonly used technology such as NCAA Apps, Teamworks, ARMS and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to plan, organize and implement programs and initiatives to ensure compliance with NCAA bylaws.
• Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart confidential information.
• Analytical, evaluative, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work extended days, weekends, and holidays. Travel may be required.