Summary and Scope of Position
Ursinus College seeks a visionary, highly collaborative, and institutionally minded leader to serve as its next Director of Athletics. Reporting to the President, the Director serves as the College’s chief athletics officer and a senior institutional partner responsible for advancing Ursinus’s mission through a comprehensive NCAA Division III athletics program.
The director of athletics will also be appointed the Eleanor Frost Snell Chair of Health and Physical Education, established in 1988 in honor of her 41 years of teaching and coaching at Ursinus, by students, friends, and colleagues of Ms.Snell.
The Director will lead 26 intercollegiate varsity programs and will be expected to approach athletics not as a stand-alone enterprise, but as an integral contributor to the College’s academic mission, enrollment strategy, financial sustainability, and student success priorities. The next Director must possess an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset, positioning Ursinus Athletics as a forward-looking Division III program that enhances institutional vitality while remaining grounded in educational values.
This role requires a leader who consistently prioritizes the broader interests of the College above those of athletics alone and supports the college’s ongoing innovation in a rapidly changing higher education landscape.
Specific Responsibilities
Institutional & Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement a forward-looking strategic vision for Ursinus Athletics aligned with institutional priorities.
- Serve as a collaborative campus leader advancing enrollment growth, retention, financial stewardship, and alumni engagement.
- Demonstrate an entrepreneurial approach to innovation and sustainability within Division III.
- Lead with transparency, integrity, and accountability.
Enrollment, Recruitment & Retention Strategy
- Partner closely with Enrollment Management to integrate athletics into recruitment and yield strategies.
- Oversee roster management with attention to enrollment composition and discount-rate sustainability.
- Use data to evaluate athletics’ contribution to persistence and retention.
- Promote ethical, mission-aligned recruiting practices.
Advancement & External Engagement
- Partner with the Office of Advancement on all athletics-related fundraising initiatives.
- Strengthen philanthropic support aligned with institutional priorities.
- Serve as ambassador to alumni, donors, and community partners.
Financial Stewardship & Entrepreneurial Resource Strategy
- Provide disciplined oversight of athletics budgets.
- Explore innovative revenue opportunities and operational efficiencies.
- Collaborate on multi-year financial planning and facilities prioritization.
Leadership of Coaches & Staff
- Recruit, develop, and evaluate coaches and administrators aligned with the College’s mission.
- Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
Governance, Compliance & Equity
- Ensure compliance with NCAA, conference, and federal regulations.
- Promote equitable participation and inclusive excellence.
- Represent Ursinus in athletics governance settings.
Other Duties
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Job responsibilities and activities may be modified or changed at any time with or without notice. Job descriptions will be audited periodically by the Ursinus Human Resources department to ensure they are up-to-date and reflect the essential responsibilities and duties of the job.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Progressive leadership experience in intercollegiate athletics.
- Strategic leadership and budget management experience.
- Exceptional communication and collaboration skills.
- Experience aligning athletics with enrollment strategy and retention.
- Demonstrated fundraising or donor engagement experience.
- Evidence of entrepreneurial leadership and innovation.
- Experience leading through institutional change.
About Ursinus College
Ursinus College is a selective, independent, co-educational, residential liberal arts college of approximately 1500 students located about 25 miles northwest of center city Philadelphia. With a diverse community of students, it is an expectation of all faculty to contribute to the inclusion, engagement, and success of all students.