Deputy Athletics Director, Chief Operating Officer

Deputy AD, Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Department: Stanford Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation (DAPER)

Location: Stanford, CA (On-site)

Reports to: John Donahoe, Jaquish and Kenninger Chair and Director of Athletics

Job Code: 4155

Salary Range: $460,000 - $535,000

Stanford's Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation ("DAPER") is the premier intercollegiate athletics program in the country. We are the proud Home of Champions! We lead the nation with 137 NCAA championship titles, won the Women's Capital One Cup four of the last five years, and have brought home the Learfield Director's Cup 26 times. We support nearly 900 student-athletes who compete on 36 intercollegiate athletics teams and also support the university's physical education, recreation, and wellness initiatives. Our dedicated staff embody a culture of excellence, embrace our mission of scholar-athleticism, and exemplify a relentless championship spirit. Our actions and staff are guided by the core tenets of the Athletics Department culture, "The DAPER Way," which are: Embrace Scholar-Athleticism, Pursue and Revere Excellence, Lead with Courage, and Work Cohesively.

Position Summary

Stanford University is seeking a dynamic, results-driven, highly effective leader to serve as its Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation (DAPER). This role will be a direct report to the Jaquish and Kenninger Chair and Director of Athletics, John Donahoe, and serve as a critical day-to-day leader of the operations, cadence, and evolution of the Department. The COO will be a high-impact execution partner to the Chair, responsible for materially increasing organizational velocity, defining and stewarding the Department's operating model, driving revenue and growth, and, when necessary, representing the Chair within the University and externally.

The COO will be responsible for all revenue and marketing-related activities. This includes overseeing commercial efforts, marketing, communication, branding/storytelling, facilities, capital projects, fan experience, community engagement, and digital. Further, the COO will provide leadership, planning, and exceptional execution of team and facility operations; ongoing capital projects and investments; compliance; and sport and event management.

In partnership with the Chair of Athletics, the COO will spearhead the execution of a strategic plan for DAPER's growth and serve as a critical liaison between Athletics and key Stanford University stakeholders, including academics, technology, public safety, facilities, and - when required by the Chair - Board and Cabinet-level members.

In partnership with the Chair of Athletics and General Managers, the COO will be responsible for the support, mentorship, recruitment, and retention of high-performing leadership across DAPER.

Core Responsibilities

• High-Performing Team Leadership: Provide leadership within internal operations and all revenue-related functions. Provide exceptional leadership and mentorship for DAPER's sport- and operationally-focused employees.
• Growth and Revenue Generation: Drive a high-performing, outcomes-oriented revenue arm for DAPER, inclusive of sales leaders and marketing/content innovators.
• Stakeholder Management: Serve as liaison and bridge builder to various parts of the university campus, including Academics, Admissions, Facilities, Student Life, President's Office, and others.
• Capital Projects and Facilities: Create and maintain DAPER masterplan for capital projects. Chair or provide direction for all ongoing facility projects and maintenance, including supporting the Chair of Athletics and development leadership in fundraising activities and developing appropriate funding models, and managing the budgets of each project.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional operational leadership, with proven ability to lead complex and diverse teams of leaders.
• Keen understanding of and experience within the highest levels of college athletics.
• Thoughtful, innovative approach to the new world of college athletics.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
• Track record of leading high-performing teams.
• Rigor, grit, and relentless work ethic; low ego, strong judgment.
• Able to connect dots across silos as well as remove friction and bottlenecks.
• Exceptional financial acumen and P&L management experience.
• Superior influencing skills across disparate groups of stakeholders.
• Fundraising and donor experience valued.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree required; MBA or equivalent advanced degree highly desirable.
• Experience: 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, athletics administration, strategic planning/execution, and stakeholder management all required.