"Director, Athletics"

Position Summary

The Opportunity:

The Director of Athletics at Fort Lewis College (FLC) provides leadership, vision, and direction for the Skyhawk Athletics Program to ensure program effectiveness, continuous improvement, and positive experience for student-athletes on and off the field. The program has experienced significant momentum, emphasizing a 3.25 GPA, 5,000 hours of service, and enhanced collaboration on campus and in the community resulting in record-breaking fundraising and sponsorship revenue and cutting-edge new training facilities with plans for more. We are seeking a leader to continue this exciting momentum and build on this culture of excellence while continuing to compete for championships. The Director of Athletics maintains the integrity of the program, promoting and upholding the principles of sportsmanship and developing ethical virtues in our student-athletes. The Director of Athletics will strengthen and build the athletic program, developing relationships with the RMAC conference, NCAA Division II, and external constituents. The Director of Athletics reports to the President and serves as an active member of the President’s cabinet.

Fort Lewis College fields 16 varsity athletics programs, which compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II. In addition, there are 15 club sports, and an intramural sports program, including a reputable USA Cycling program that attracts students from across the country. Cycling is the only club sport that reports to athletics.

Fort Lewis College has committed to over $25 million in new recreational and athletic facilities that will have a major impact on Skyhawk Athletics and recreational services moving forward. Part of the $25 million commitment has already been devoted to the new $6 million CommonSpirit Sports Performance Center, a 10,000 sqft state-of-the-art facility designed to elevate the student-athlete experience and serve the entire campus community. The new facility includes 24 weight racks, six treadmills, three rowing machines, three bikes, two stair steppers, ten weight machines, and a 250-square-foot fuel station. It also includes a turf area and an Academic Achievement wall recognizing student-athletes who achieve a 3.5 GPA. A key feature of the design is its flexible training layout—divided into quadrants that can accommodate multiple teams simultaneously or host full-squad sessions for programs like football, which has up to 140 student-athletes. The new facility has been remarked upon by many as a “game changer” for a DII athletics program. Remaining financial resources from the $25 million campaign are earmarked for additional projected recreational and athletic facility upgrades, including an indoor practice facility, to be designed and managed in partnership with multiple campus departments.

Additional momentum to note:

FLC ranked in the Top 15 nationally for winter sport attendance and placed in the Top 35 in the Division II Learfield Cup Standings. Men’s Soccer reached the NCAA Elite 8, Women’s Cross Country finished in the Top 20 nationally, and Women’s Soccer competed in the RMAC Tournament Championship. We also celebrated our first men’s Indoor Track conference champion and a No. 3 national finish in the women’s 5,000m. These milestones, along with five All-American honors and multiple cycling national titles, are supported by fans and donor-funded scholarships, facility upgrades, sponsorships, and grassroots crowdfunding led by coaches and student-athletes.

Job Description

Essential Functions and Duties of the Position:

• Provides strategic and visionary leadership for the Skyhawk Athletic Department.
• Leads and maintains an athletic department that is committed to the College’s strategic plan, and student success on and off the field.
• Recruits, mentors, and develops the dynamic team of athletic staff.
• Ensures the athletic department remains in compliance with applicable Title IX, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), and College rules and regulations governing all facets of intercollegiate athletic programs.
• Leads an active program to develop new revenue streams for the support of student-athletes and the athletics program.
• Collaborates and partners with the Office of Advancement and FLC Foundation to execute major gift fundraising, manage a portfolio of donors and donor prospects, and comprehensive fundraising communications.
• Leads and oversees promotions and marketing activities to support program and sponsorships in collaboration with the FLC Marketing & Communications team.
• Manages athletic operating budgets to sustain healthy operations and activities while adhering to budget parameters.
• Develop and maintain excellent public relations to support and promote athletics within the College and the broader community, including leading and inspiring the volunteer Skyhawk Booster Club.
• Work effectively with faculty, administrators, students, and other constituent groups to promote a positive experience for student athletes.
• The ability and desire to establish positive relationships with persons of diverse backgrounds and strengths.
• A professional demeanor and personal presentation in dealing with people and the ability to relate well to students, staff, faculty, and administration, both personally and professionally within an organizational structure.
• Serves as an active and engaged member of the President’s Cabinet.
• Maintains knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 508.
• Produces and remediates digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree and at least four years' experience in higher education athletics program administration.
• Deep experience with intercollegiate programs with an understanding of administrative, financial, and personnel-related responsibilities of an athletic department.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and grow coaches and student athletes.
• Successful experience in fundraising and a commitment to the development of donor/alumni relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to foster and maintain a climate of commitment, a culture of respect, diversity, belief in service before self, sportsmanship, and professionalism on all levels.
• Knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations governing recruitment and student-athlete eligibility.
• Appreciation of the role of non-NCAA II sports (e.g., cycling) in a comprehensive vision for athletics.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Demonstrated success building relationships with internal & external constituents.
• Strong listening and communication skills; a presence that earns trust, confidence, and respect; and the ability to lead by influence and example.
• Valid driver license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree.
• Direct experience in NCAA II.
• Successful major gift fundraising experience.

Salary

The salary range for this position is $126,000 to $140,000, plus a comprehensive benefits package.

Application Process

A complete application packet includes:

• A cover letter addressed to Dr. Heather Shotton (Fort Lewis College President), setting forth one’s interest in the opportunity and how the candidate’s skills/experiences align with the position description;
• A professional resumé; and
• Names, contact information, and an explanation of the relationship for four professional references.

Application Deadline

Application materials received by 11:59 p.m. October 1, 2025, will receive full consideration.

The successful candidate will be required to submit official transcripts and pass a background check.

About Fort Lewis College

On a sage-brushed mesa overlooking downtown Durango and the La Plata Mountains, Fort Lewis College is Southwest Colorado’s premier public undergraduate research institution. With more than half of the 3,300 students identifying as people of color, FLC’s academic programming and campus life thrive on nurturing safe, diverse spaces for intellectual exploration and helping people achieve their career goals. A Native American-serving, Non-Tribal Institution, FLC is committed to promoting economic development in neighboring tribal communities and connecting students with the education they need to be the change in the world they want to see. Degree programs span the arts, business, education, health sciences, humanities, and social and natural sciences. Coursework builds on the natural, cultural, and historical resources found around the Four Corners region. Students work closely with faculty on research projects with real-world implications. Like the mountain town it resides in, FLC promotes a culture of work-life balance for students, faculty, and staff. Skyhawks enjoy unparalleled access to a healthy outdoor lifestyle thanks to 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails in and around Durango.