"Director of Esports"

Director of Esports

Position Category: Staff (Exempt)
FLSA: Exempt
FTE: 1.0
Location: Thousand Oaks

University Background:
The mission of California Lutheran University is to educate leaders for a global society who are strong in character and judgment, confident in their identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice. Founded in 1959 in beautiful Ventura County, the university has an enrollment of about 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students who come from across the nation and around the world from a diversity of backgrounds, cultures and faiths. As a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution, Cal Lutheran is looking for candidates with a dedication to and success in working in diverse communities. The university is committed to an inclusive learning and work environment that values individual differences and respects each person's dignity.

Basic Function:
The Director of Esports provides leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the university's Esports program. This includes recruiting and overseeing competitive varsity teams, marketing CLU Esports, managing facilities, coordinating events, supporting academic and research initiatives related to gaming, and fostering student engagement. The Director will collaborate with departments across campus to advance Esports as a pillar of student life, academic innovation, and institutional visibility.

Representative Duties:

• Recruit and coach Esports student athletes, meeting a minimum roster threshold each academic year.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan for the university's Esports program, focusing on recruiting full and competitive rosters
• Build and sustain a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and sportsmanship within the Esports community.
• Manage the operational, competitive, and academic aspects of the Esports initiative.
• Represent the university in external Esports associations, leagues, and partnerships.
• Coordinate practice schedules, travel, and competition logistics.
• Ensure compliance with institutional, conference, and league policies.
• Oversee recruiting, player development, and team performance analytics.
• Manage the Esports arena, gaming lab(s), and associated equipment.
• Collaborate with IT and facilities management to maintain high-performance systems and secure digital environments.
• Plan upgrades and new technology acquisitions aligned with program growth.
• Foster an inclusive community for both competitive and casual gamers.
• Support academic success, leadership development, and career pathways in Esports, media, and game-related fields.
  Work collaboratively with Sports Management faculty and administration to support the academic program and its students
• Partner with campus organizations to integrate Esports into student life and wellness initiatives.
• Supervise student interns for social media marketing and promotion of Esports program, events, and competitions.
• Develop and manage program budgets, sponsorships, and fundraising initiatives.
• Track expenditures and ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Coordinate marketing, branding, and outreach efforts for Esports events and recruitment.
• Support interdisciplinary initiatives connecting Esports with curriculum, research, and industry partnerships.
• Facilitate internships, workshops, and experiential learning opportunities.

Knowledge Of:

• A variety of different competitive Esports games
• Rules and strategies of popular Esports games
• Coaching theory, techniques, and strategies: technical and tactical of Esports
• Recruitment techniques and team management of an intercollegiate athletics program
• Effective promotion of good sportsmanship, academic excellence and character
• Effective planning and organizational methods
• Basic liability and risk management issues
• Principles of team leadership

Ability To:

• Design and implement a recruiting plan; scout and recruit high-quality Esports student athletes.
• Work cooperatively with faculty, staff, students, and constituent groups outside the university to support the continued success and development of Esports.
• Effectively communicate with student athletes, faculty, staff, administration, and the community.
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in appropriate team-building activities.
• Provide leadership to Esports student athletes to encourage both successful academic development and competitive performance.
• Possess the skills to demonstrate Esports techniques.
• Serve as a positive role model for Esports student athletes and work within a team-oriented philosophy.
• Effectively teach skills, regulations, and strategies of Esports during practice sessions and competitions.
• Provide a safe environment for students, athletes, visitors, and other constituents.
• Work independently, prioritize, schedule and complete work.
• Maintain confidentiality of records and information; maintain files accurately, in paper and in software programs.
• Operate a personal computer and associated Esports games and general office software, such as Outlook, Word, Excel, Slate, etc
• Operate a vehicle to travel and conduct work, work flexible hours with frequent evenings, nights and weekends.

Minimum Qualifications:
Any combination equipment to: a Bachelor's degree in Esports Management, Esports, Game Design, Sports Management, Computer Science, Business, Communications, Digital Arts, or related field, or any Bachelor's degree with four years of Esports experience and 3 years of experience in Esports management, athletics administration, or a related leadership role.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Deep understanding of competitive gaming ecosystems, titles, and trends.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Master's degree in a relevant discipline.
• Experience working in higher education or collegiate Esports programs.
• Proven record in program development, sponsorship cultivation, and community engagement.
• Familiarity with Esports broadcasting, event production, and digital media.

Licenses and Other Requirements:
Possession of or ability to obtain CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) AED (automated external defibrillator) and First Aid certifications within 90 days of employment. Ability to work flexible hours with frequent evenings, nights and weekends is required. Travel is required.

Physical Abilities:
Detect to understand appropriate written correspondence; operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer; communicate to exchange information in person, in writing, on the telephone and by email; stationary position for extended periods of time; move or transport light objects; position self to store and/or retrieve files

Working Environment:
Office environment

Hiring Range $75,000-$82,000
Posting Number: Staff004762022
Open Date: 12/03/2025
Close Date: 1/4/2026

Application Procedure/Special Instructions
To apply, visit https://careers.callutheran.edu/postings/12937