Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics at Denison University in Granville, Ohio

Job Description:

Position Type:

Administrative Staff

Classification Title:

Administrative Staff

Position Title:

Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics

Position Number:

A00038

Pay Grade Level:

AD 01

Department:

Athletics

Posting Number:

S 121301443

Full or Part Time:

Full Time

FTE:

1

Basic Function:

The associate vice president and director of athletics (AVP/AD) oversees all aspects of Denison University's NCAA Division III athletic program, campus recreation, and physical education, including staff supervision, development and oversight of budgets, and facility operations. Reporting to the president, with matrixed reporting to the provost for purposes of coaches with faculty appointments, and the vice president for student life with a focus on the student experience, the AVP/AD provides a clear vision of the role and mission of athletics and demonstrates leadership and management that foster excellence across the division. The AVP/AD will be responsible for cultivating a departmental culture rooted in integrity and a commitment to the holistic development of student-athletes. The AVP/AD and their staff set the tone for how student-athletes embody Denison's values in competition and the broader community. The AVP/AD will oversee a department of 26 intercollegiate sports, 100 full-time and part-time coaches and staff, approximately 650 student-athletes, 350 student employees, and a $2.4 million operating budget, not including endowed funds. The AVP/AD is a member of the president's senior staff.

Essential Job Functions:

• Execute a long-term strategic plan that includes academic and athletic achievement, capital expansion, staffing, facilities, fundraising, and alumni engagement.


• Promote and further an academic and athletic culture that supports and serves student-athletes, including high academic achievement, leadership skill development, and participation in all aspects of university life.


• Offer varsity and recreational athletics to students with varying interests and skills, including club and intramural sports.


• Oversee and strengthen all varsity sports to be competitive at the championship level.


• Onboard, mentor, and develop all coaches and staff associated with the division. Full-time head coaches also have faculty status and teach within the physical education program.


• Identify and cultivate sources of major gifts and support for Denison athletics.


• Oversee the organization and administration of the Denison Gold Club.


• Represent Denison University's mission and strategic priorities while maintaining NCAA, Title IX, and North Coast Athletics Conference (NCAC) compliance regulations.


• Ensure effective recruitment of student-athletes and maintain collaborative relationships with enrollment management.


• Work in partnership with the program director of health, exercise, and sport studies (HESS) to manage shared facilities and ongoing research collaborations with athletics.


• Recruit, hire, and manage qualified coaching, athletic training, and administrative staff including but not limited to performance assessments, goal and objective results and achievements, and personal and professional development.

Minimum Qualifications:

A master's degree and significant, progressive leadership experience in collegiate athletics administration is required; coaching experience is strongly preferred. The successful candidate will possess a comprehensive understanding of intercollegiate athletics administration, student-athlete development, facilities management and resourcing, NCAA and Title IX compliance within a Division III environment, and the role of fundraising in supporting strategic and operational objectives. A collaborative management approach, coupled with superior communication and relationship-building skills, strong planning and fiscal competencies, an understanding of the role of enrollment at a small private college, a familiarity with program development and assessment including risk management, excellent problem-solving abilities, and a high degree of cultural competence demonstrating respect for diversity of identities and experiences will be important considerations in the selection of the next AVP/AD.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the qualifications stated above, key Denison stakeholders identified the following capabilities and attributes of a successful AVP/AD candidate:

• Developer of People: Invested in mentoring coaches, empowering staff, and creating a departmental culture of shared values, integrity, and accountability.


• Champion of Division III Athletics: Articulates the "student first" mission and philosophy and communicates its value to the campus and community.


• Student-Centered Advocate: Connected to students, prioritizes their development and supports a holistic collegiate experience.


• Inclusive & Relational Leader: Bridge builder who collaborates across campus, fosters a culture of trust and fairness, and ensures all staff and student-athletes feel valued and respected regardless of their background or sport.


• Adaptable & Forward-Thinker: Nimble in responding to the evolving athletic landscape, trendsetter, and innovative.


• Engaged in the National Landscape: Understands trends in collegiate athletics, networks with peer institutions, and stays ahead of industry changes.


• Strategic Institutional Leader: Aligns athletics with university priorities, fosters cross-campus partnerships, and contributes to institutional goals.


• Strong Communicator & Advocate: Trustworthy, savvy, and comfortable engaging with diverse stakeholders, including alumni and donors.


• Resourceful & Visionary: Invested in fundraising, facility development, and leveraging technology for innovation.

Physical Demands:

Contact(s):

Anne-Marie Kenney, Sr. Search Consultant, Spelman Johnson

Contact Email:

amk@spelmanandjohnson.com

Open Date:

03/03/2025

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Applications must be submitted via the instructions below:


Denison has partnered with Spelman Johnson on the search for the next Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics.


Interested candidates can learn more and apply directly at:
https://spelmanandjohnson.com/position/associate-vice-president-director-of-athletics/



Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email
info@spelmanjohnson.com.

Denison University Background Check Statement:

The final candidate will undergo a background check as a conditional offer of employment.

Denison University EEO Statement :

Denison is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.


Title IX Notice: Sex discrimination is prohibited by federal law through Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Denison does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education programs or activities that it operates including admissions and employment. For Denison's official Notice of Non-Discrimination, please visit
https://denison.edu/forms/non-discrimination-notice. You can learn more about Title IX at Denison at
https://denison.edu/campus/title-ix.

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