Director of Athletics, Rowan University

Position Summary

Reporting to the President, the Director of Athletics organizes and administers the intercollegiate athletic program, including eight men’s and ten women’s programs. The Director of Athletics is the chief administrator for the University's intercollegiate athletics program and establishes policies and procedures that achieve the parallel goals of developing quality, competitive athletics teams and supporting the individual educational goals of student-athletes. This role ensures that the University complies with applicable National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), athletic conferences, and university rules and regulations governing all intercollegiate athletics programs.

The Director supervises a staff of athletic coaches and professional and support personnel, develops and manages operating budgets for the intercollegiate athletics program, and participates in fund-raising activities as appropriate. The Director of Athletics provides leadership and vision for the athletics program, which reflects the university's mission and philosophy.

About Rowan Athletics

Rowan University competes as a member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) and offers 18 varsity sports. Rowan consistently performs well in the NJAC and has captured 26 NJAC team championships and 19 appearances in the NCAA Championships in the last five years. Rowan is also ranked 21^st nationally in the Learfield Division III Director’s Cup and earned its fourth consecutive NJAC cup in 2023-24, recognizing its overall success in conference competition as an athletic program. Rowan athletes also excel individually both on and off the field, with many receiving All-America honors as well as being named to the Academic All-America teams.

Rowan Athletics is dedicated to pursuing excellence and is committed to helping its students and others achieve their fullest potential as scholars, athletes, leaders, and members of society. The athletic department also emphasizes community and developing a spirit of unity and belonging in the department. Through combining athletics and service, the department encourages diversity and inclusion and brings together members of campus, alumni, and local communities. Rowan Athletics holds itself to the highest standards of integrity through actions of respect, honesty, and fair play and strives to behave ethically towards others and convey its expectations of high moral character. As a whole, athletics also emphasizes teamwork and realizes that their successes strengthen the whole. At the forefront of athletics is the commitment to education, where the goal is to develop a culture where lifelong learning is a priority. Supporting each other and the student-athletes in the quest for academic success is paramount.

Duties and Responsibilities for this role include:

Executive Leadership

• Provide visionary leadership for the Athletics Department, setting strategic goals and objectives paralleled with the University's mission and values and establishing strategic partnerships and initiatives that support revenue growth to meet the growing needs of collegiate athletics.
• Act as the primary liaison with the NCAA, Faculty Athletic Representative, Senior Woman Administrator, and the NJAC Conference on compliance matters.
• Serve as a liaison to the Rowan University Board of Trustees Strategic Athletic Planning Committee.
• Facilitates the attainment of personal development and academic goals by student-athletes through a philosophy that promotes those goals and establishes an environment conducive to both, maintaining accessibility for student-athletes whether for athletic or educational matters, providing opportunities for academic assistance to student-athletes if required, and monitoring the academic progress of participating student-athletes.

• Develop a ten-year strategic plan for the growth and success of the university's athletic programs and facilities that are consistent with the university's overall direction, goals, and budgeting processes.
• Motivate coaches, staff, and administrators to deliver high-performance results while emphasizing a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and a balanced approach to athletics, academics, and community service.

Student Advocacy and Development

• Ensure student-athletes have access to resources needed to succeed in their athletic and academic endeavors.
• Purposefully foster a selfless environment that cultivates community, embraces learning, and enhances excellence in sport and life.
• Lead the growth and development of student-athletes and their integration within the entire campus culture while promoting their academic achievement and graduation rates.

Compliance Oversight

• Ensure the Athletics Department adheres to all NCAA, New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), Title IX, and University policies, rules, and regulations.
• Oversee Athletics compliance and training programs and monitor adherence to policies, rules, and regulations.
• Confirm that the quality and quantity of medical care available to student-athletes is appropriate for the particular activity being conducted by providing the head athletic trainer with guidance and direction regarding such matters as athletic insurance coverage and coordination with physicians to ensure proper care and supervision during athletic events and/or training sessions.

Facility Optimization

• Oversight of the maintenance and enhancement of athletic facilities, ensuring they meet the needs of the athletic programs and provide safe and supportive environments for all users.
• Plan and manage capital projects, ensuring facilities meet the needs of the Athletics program.
• Ensure efficient and effective operations of all athletic events and activities.

Community and Stakeholder Relations

• Represent the University at professional meetings and other special or public events.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson for the Athletics Department, representing the Rowan University Athletics program to external stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships with alumni, donors, fans, and the local community.
• Enhance the University's Athletics program and Rowan's overall reputation through media relations, marketing, and community engagement.

Financial Management

• Oversee the Athletics Department budget, ensuring financial stability and accountability.
• Identify and secure funding sources, including fundraising, sponsorships, and revenue-generating activities.
• Supervise the business operation of the athletics program, planning and developing an annual budget for the intercollegiate athletics program, which includes equipment, facility, training, or related resource needs, performing budget reconciliations, and exercising final authority over departmental expenditures.
• Collaborate with the University Finance Department to manage financial operations, including budget planning, forecasting, and reporting.

Core Requirements

• Demonstrate leadership and management experience in athletic administration at the NCAA Division I, II, or III level or a related field.
• A bachelor’s degree is required, emphasizing a discipline relevant to the multiple tasks and duties expected of the director. An advanced degree is preferred.
• Record of leadership in the growth and development of an athletic program.
• Strong knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, budget management, strategic planning and athletic facility development and construction.
• Experience building a championship culture where student-athletes are successful both on and off the field.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

 Preferred Experience

• Experience in facility design, development, and capital projects
• Experience growing resources by maximizing exciting opportunities while embracing innovation.
• Professional experience consistent with an ability to confidently represent Rowan University Athletics and Rowan University as a public-facing figure.

Rowan University has partnered with Parker Executive Search to assist in our recruitment efforts.

For consideration for this position, all candidates are required to submit their interest directly to Parker Executive Search via this link:

Rowan University Director of Athletics - www.parkersearch.com