The Senior Associate Director will provide senior leadership to the Athletics Department, primarily in the areas of Athletics/NCAA compliance, administrative operations, and oversight of the intercollegiate athletics program. The Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Compliance is responsible for all compliance and budget issues related to the daily management and operations of the Dominican University of California Athletics Department. As the primary Compliance Officer, this person will ensure strict adherence to all NCAA bylaws and conference regulations as well as institutional policies and procedures. The Senior Associate Director is also responsible for budget monitoring and forecasting related to the efficient and successful management of fifteen NCAA-sponsored sports. They will also be responsible for supervision of the athletics training staff, women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, track & field, and men’s lacrosse.
The Senior Associate will assist the Athletics Director, Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director for Alumni and Parent relations with fundraising oversight of various annual DU events, including Reunion, Acacia Society, Athletic Awards Banquet, Athletics Hall of Fame, All-Athlete meetings, All In for Dominican, and other donor and alumni related activities. This position will play a role in strategic planning as they support the Director of Athletics in departmental policy development and oversight.
Responsibilities
Compliance
Manage all aspects of NCAA and conference rules compliance for the Athletics Department, which includes but is not limited to coach and department compliance education; annual student-athlete compliance orientation; monitoring of recruiting, playing and practice processes; development of training and compliance materials.
Interpret NCAA rules and pursue waivers and appeals with the NCAA and conference office. Update handbooks and policy manuals as needed.
Assist in planning weekly staff meetings for the athletics department staff meetings and provide ongoing compliance education.
Ensure compliance with the NCAA and conference office, and act as liaison with the Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid, Admissions, and the Faculty Athletics Representative.
Responsible for verification of eligibility for new and continuing student-athletes. In that role, serve as liaison with NCAA Eligibility Center, and coordinate verification with Faculty Athletics Representative and Financial Aid Director to ensure that all student-athlete related academic and financial aid issues are properly addressed by Athletics Department administration and coaches.
Consult with coaches regarding recruiting plans, strategies, and athletic scholarship budgeting. Manage the National Letter of Intent and Athletics Aid process for each sport.
Responsible for coordinating the completion of all external reports required by the NCAA, Board of Education, and the university, including but not limited to: EADA Report, NCAA Academic Success Report, Academic Tracking Report, Sports Sponsorship Report and Financial Data Report.
Advancement
Lead the Athletics Department's advancement strategy, including the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gifts from alumni, parents, friends, and philanthropic foundations.
Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, working closely with the university's advancement team to align athletic fundraising goals with broader institutional priorities.
Oversee the planning and execution of key athletic fundraising events and campaigns, ensuring they support the strategic objectives of the Athletics Department and the university.
Develop and implement innovative strategies to increase alumni engagement and donor support, enhancing the visibility and impact of athletics within the university community and beyond.
Collaborate with the Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director for Alumni and Parent Relations to integrate athletic initiatives within the university's overall advancement efforts.
Lead efforts to expand corporate sponsorships, leveraging community and business partnerships to enhance support for athletic programs.
Collaborate with the Advancement and Alumni Relations teams to support non-athletic fundraising initiatives and alumni events, extending engagement beyond athletics to encompass the entire university community.
Athletics Administration & Operations
Serve as primary administrator in the absence of the Director of Athletics and assume supervisory responsibilities for staff and student-athletes.
Provide managerial and administrative leadership for the athletics department. This involves supervision of designated sport teams, coaches, interns, league officials, game management staff, and student-employees.
Serve on the Game Operations Committee to participate in the development and improvement of all procedures related to Game Management and Operations.
Assist in oversight of the athletics department operations and game management.
Make recommendations and implement program improvements for home events, and daily operations and processes.
Manage or assist with recruitment, training, and supervision of departmental personnel.
Budget/Financials for Athletics
Work with Director of Athletics on management of expense budgets and compensation review and track expenses for each sport and area of the Athletics Department and adjust budgets as appropriate. Ensure that all areas of the Athletics Department are operating within budget and identify other income streams and resources as necessary. Assist with long-term forecasting as it relates to projects and strategic planning.
Assist Director of Athletics with the identification, classification, and reconciliation of expenses on monthly budget reports. Assist with the preparation of budget revisions. Provide updates on travel expenses and travel options for future budget forecasting.
Assist with approval of Athletics Department staff P-card monthly statements. Educate staff as necessary regarding P-card reconciliation process and any changes to process as they occur. Address any issues with expenses, budget overages with relevant staff.
Work with the Director of Athletics to ensure that Pac West Grants and other grant opportunities are fully and properly utilized and tracked appropriately.
Athletics Training Room
Direct supervision of Training Room personnel and meet with trainers on a weekly basis to ensure that issues related to student-athlete health and well-being are properly addressed by Athletics Department staff and coaches.
Ensure that competitions and practices are properly covered by Athletic Training Room staff. Authorize the hiring of outside trainers as necessary due to scheduling conflicts. Identify away competitions/trips where it is necessary to provide a trainer for team well-being.
Required Qualifications
Must possess a Bachelor’s degree from four year college or university
Must possess a minimum of six (6) years athletic administration experience.
Six (6) + years management experience
Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing compliance and/or Athletics operations related programs, policies, and procedures.
Sport facility management experience
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Ability to proficiently utilize NCAA CA software.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
Must be willing and able to drive departmental vehicles (and have a clean driving record evidenced by a positive DMV pull)
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s or Doctorate degree
Previous athletics administration experience in an College or University setting
Previous compliance experience within the NCAA Division I, II or NAIA framework
Additional Position Information
Open Until Filled
Must be willing to consent to a background check
Dominican University of California is an independent, international, learner-centered university, offering both undergraduate and graduate programs. Dominican has a 1:10 teacher-to-student ratio, an average class size of 16, with a small-town feeling in a park- like campus. We blend interdisciplinary core courses, real-world studies, and small classes with close and supportive academic advising and mentoring.
Dominican University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to excellence through diversity, and takes pride in its multicultural environment. We are committed in thought, word, and deed to recruiting and retaining a workforce that values the diversity of its student body. The University actively promotes an institutional culture that practices equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from members of all under-represented groups in higher education.
Department History
Dominican University of California Senior Leadership 2024–2025