"Director of Athletics"

Director of Athletics

Company:
Fairmont State University

Job Location:
Fairmont

Category:
Athletics - Athletic Administration

Type:
Full-Time

Type of Position: Staff - Full Time

Department: Athletics

Appointment Length: July - June (12 mo)

Benefits Eligible?: Yes

Requested Part-Time Staff Hours: NA

F.T.E.: 1.00

Grant Funded Position?: No

Description of Job Duties and Responsibilities

Position Summary
The Director of Athletics (AD) serves on the President's Cabinet and leads and manages the daily operations of Fairmont State University's Department of Athletics. The AD is responsible for all sport oversight, staff supervision, compliance execution, scheduling, budgeting, event operations, and student-athlete support. Reporting to the Vice President for Athletics, the AD is the primary University contact with the NCAA Division II and the Mountain East Conference.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership & Department Management

• Lead all daily operations of Falcon Athletics, including scheduling, travel, facilities usage, event management, and administrative coordination.
• Exercise operational authority for departmental decision-making while implementing the strategic vision set by the Vice President for Athletics.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and University representative to the MEC and NCAA.

Sport Oversight & Staff Supervision

• Directly supervise all head coaches, assistant coaches, and athletics staff.
• Oversee sport performance, competitive strategy, student-athlete support, and operational execution across all teams.
• Lead all hiring processes for coaching and athletics staff, subject to VPA approval.

Compliance Management

• Maintain deep and continuing familiarity with NCAA Division II, MEC, and Fairmont State University rules, policies, and certification requirements.
• Direct the daily execution of compliance processes including eligibility, roster management, reporting, and education programming.
• Ensure policies, procedures, and practices align fully with University, Board of Governors, NCAA, MEC, and federal regulations (including Title IX).

Budgeting & Fiscal Management

• Manage the annual operating budget for all sports, ensuring responsible fiscal stewardship.
• Oversee purchasing, travel, inventory, and routine facility needs.
• Provide budget recommendations and operational priorities to the Vice President for Athletics.

Community Engagement & Public Relations

• Support and encourage civic engagement and community involvement for student-athletes, coaches, and athletics staff.
• Represent Athletics professionally to external audiences, advancing both the department and University interests.
• Maintain strong working relationships and effective communication with FSAA, the Foundation, and University committees.

Fundraising Support

• Provide proactive leadership in fundraising and revenue development within policy guidelines, in collaboration with Advancement and the VPA.

Student-Athlete Support & Well-Being

• Oversee academic monitoring, leadership programming, and support initiatives for student-athletes.
• Work closely with athletic training and sports medicine to uphold health and safety standards.
• Maintain strong visibility among teams and student-athletes.

Facilities & Event Operations

• Oversee game-day operations, event staffing, security, logistics, and visitor experience.
• Coordinate postseason hosting, MEC/NCAA requirements, and special events.
• Support facility scheduling, maintenance needs, and small-scale improvements (larger capital planning remains with VPA)

Minimum Required Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Sports Management, Sport Administration, Business Administration, Education, or another closely related field relevant to athletics administration.

Required Licenses and/or Certifications

Valid driver's license issued by the State of West Virginia, evidencing minimal violations.

Minimum Required Qualifications

A minimum of 3-5 years of athletics administration or head coaching experience in NCAA Division II; or any other equivalent combination of related work experience.

Knowledge, skills and abilities required include:

• Proven leadership and mentoring skills, and the ability to put plans into action.
• Comprehensive knowledge of NCAA and WVIAC rules and bylaws, particularly in regard to issues of compliance.
• Proven capability to lead comprehensive planning, fundraising, budget management and administrative initiatives and programs.
• Solid demonstration of commitment to academic and fiscal integrity and practice.
• Demonstrated history of and commitment to and considerable knowledge of NCAA rules compliance, and a commitment to sustain the spirit and letter of compliance standards.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to maintaining FSU's athletics program as an integral part of the institution's academic program and supporting the athletes as an integral part of the student body.
• Proven organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines and goals.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues in athletic administration.
• Demonstrated skill and facility in interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Proven ability to recruit and hire outstanding, effective coaches and staff.
• Strong strategic and critical-thinking skills and proven analytical skills.
• Solid and effective communications skills that promote empathetic and persuasive communication with students, parents, colleagues and sponsors.
• The ability to maintain self-composure and a professional and controlled demeanor during periods of stress.
• Proven flexibility and the adaptability to adjust to changing situations and events with professionalism, calmness and dignity.
• Ability to meet University, WVIAC and NCAA and other appropriate recordkeeping and compliance guidelines and requirements.
• Proven skill in and history of developing sponsorships and generating funds in support of a collegiate athletic program.
• Comprehensive, demonstrated understanding of Title IX and all of its implications for a collegiate athletic program, and the ability to ensure gender equity in all institutional sports programs.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in Sport Administration, Sports Management, Business Administration (MBA), Public Administration (MPA), Higher Education Administration, or a related field.

Requisition Number: 2026054SP

Number of Vacancies: 1

Anticipated Hire Date: July 2026

Job Close Date: 02/27/2026

Open Until Filled: No

Quicklink for Posting: https://www.fairmontstatejobs.com/postings/10154