Director, Athletics

EXPIRED

Description

The Athletic Director provides primary leadership and administration for all facets of Polk State College’s sports program, including the development of policies, procedures, priorities, and long-range goals. Responsibilities include departmental supervision and leadership, regulatory compliance, fiscal responsibility, student-athlete success, and community/events obligations.

Examples of Duties

Essential Functions/Duties:
Departmental Leadership and Supervision:

• Responsible for the overall operations for the College’s athletic programs and staff members in the Athletics Department.
• Supervises departmental staff including but not limited to staffing, attendance, coaching, tracking and approval of leave, performance management, training and development, and conduct.
• Sets a positive example for staff and students through regular attendance, respectful coaching, promoting accountability, and establishing a safe and professional working environment.
• Develops, executes, tracks, and evaluates strategic goals and initiatives for the Athletics Department.

Regulatory Compliance:

Description

The Athletic Director provides primary leadership and administration for all facets of Polk State College’s sports program, including the development of policies, procedures, priorities, and long-range goals. Responsibilities include departmental supervision and leadership, regulatory compliance, fiscal responsibility, student-athlete success, and community/events obligations.

Examples of Duties

Essential Functions/Duties:
Departmental Leadership and Supervision:

• Responsible for the overall operations for the College’s athletic programs and staff members in the Athletics Department.
• Supervises departmental staff including but not limited to staffing, attendance, coaching, tracking and approval of leave, performance management, training and development, and conduct.
• Sets a positive example for staff and students through regular attendance, respectful coaching, promoting accountability, and establishing a safe and professional working environment.
• Develops, executes, tracks, and evaluates strategic goals and initiatives for the Athletics Department.

Regulatory Compliance:

Ensures compliance with NJCAA, Title IX, Florida College System Activities Association, Citrus Conference, FERPA, Federal and State regulations, and College Rules, Procedures, and policies. Understands, tracks, and maintains compliance with laws regarding paid and unpaid workers, international students (visas, etc.), and student workers (Federal Work Study). Partners with Risk Management and Human Resources on safety/background check compliance for all drivers transporting students and staff in an official College capacity.

Fiscal Responsibility: - Directs the Athletics Department to achieve maximum efficiency in the utilization of staff, funds, and facilities while ensuring ethical and equitable distribution of funds and use of facilities. - Manages the total budget for athletic programs using Fund 2 and Foundation dollars. - Oversees the department's scholarships, budgets, and the prudent fiscal management of the program. - Oversees departmental travel budgets, ensuring appropriate usage and completion of proper reimbursements, payments, and documentation for the Business Office and external vendors.

Student-Athlete Success: - Manages recruiting, eligibility, enrollment, and discipline of athletes in collaboration with other College departments. - Provides leadership and ensures highest ideals of academic and athletic performance, sportsmanship, and conduct for student-athletes. - Partners with Student Services and Academic Affairs to support an environment for the academic success of student-athletes. - Responsible for overall management of College-sponsored student-athlete housing with special attention to safety and security. - Provides individual and team athletic coaching as needed.

Community/Events Obligations: - Collaborates with administrators and the Office of Communication and Public Affairs in managing athletic news releases, social media, and publicity. - Oversees annual events sponsored by the Athletics Department, ensuring overall success from conception to evaluation. - Represents the College and advances the College athletics program at various College activities, community events, state conferences, national athletic meetings, and seminars. - Partners with the Polk State College Foundation on fundraising initiatives. - Serves on College and community committees and boards as needed.

Typical Qualifications

Required Skills:

• Ability to communicate (orally and written) effectively and professionally with internal and external stakeholders in the interest of safeguarding the College’s reputation.
• Sound judgement and tact to act strategically and collaboratively to obtain goals.
• Ability to work cooperatively with College’s administration, faculty, and staff.
• Proven experience in positive coaching of student-athletes and staff with a commitment to a learning-centric environment and student success.
• Demonstrated commitment to community involvement.
• Knowledge of the Florida State College System and/or Florida education system is preferred.
• Comprehensive understanding of collegiate athletics and athletic program management, including FCCAA and NJCAA rules and regulations, coaching techniques, and student discipline/due process program.
• Ability to work independently and ethically with the responsibility for making sound decisions within broad limitations of policy and professional standards.
• Proficiency in budget development and management with cost analysis and ethical spending.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, virtual teleconferencing (Zoom and Teams), regular office equipment, and ability to learn technology as needed.
• Must be able to efficiently operate a personal computer, office equipment, and software.
• Must be able to lift at least 20 lbs.
• Must be able to speak, read, and write fluently in English.
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.

Working Conditions/Additional Information - This position is a full-time, regular, on-campus position located at our Winter Haven campus. - This position is not hybrid or remote (telework) except during times of travel for the College or otherwise directed by administration. - This position may be required to work during College closures such as Winter Break, Spring Break, and holidays. - Travel up to 20% or as required. While most travel will be local or within the State of Florida, national travel may be required.

Salary and Benefits Information - This position is level P16.

We offer an excellent employer-paid benefits package including the following: Medical, Dental, Life, Long-Term Disability, Vacation (except faculty), Holiday and Sick Leave, Retirement (if eligible) and college fee waivers. Other employee-paid, voluntary benefits (vision, short-term disability, etc.) are also available.

Required Education: - Graduation from a regionally accredited college with a Bachelor’s degree required.

Preferred Education:

• Master’s degree preferred.

Required Experience** :** - At least 5 years of experience managing and coaching a post-secondary athletic program is required. - At least 2 years of supervisory experience required

Supplemental Information

Submissions that do not include all parts of the following required information will not be considered:

• a resume.
• an electronic job application (all sections MUST be completed).

Important Information

• If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
• Polk State College participates in E-Verify. Candidates must provide documentation of eligibility to work in the United States. Polk State College does not provide visa sponsorship.
• To request Veteran’s Preference, please be sure to upload all necessary documents (DD-214, etc.) to your application.
• Polk State College is a drug-free workplace.
• Polk State College is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation is considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Reference checks, successful completion of a background check, and third-party Education Verification for all stated degrees will be required prior to employment.
• Polk State College does NOT provide relocation assistance for this position.

Equal Opportunity Statement
Polk State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs, activities, or employment. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Lonnie Thompson
Chief of Institutional Compliance & Engagement
Title IX Coordinator
999 Avenue H, NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881
WAD 215A
863.297.1000, ext. 5378

We encourage applicants to provide feedback of their experience or request help at Careers@polk.edu.

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