Director of Athletics, Ohio University

Posting Details

Applications will be accepted until midnight (Eastern Time Zone) on the ‘Posting End Date’ shown below.

Position Information

Business Title

Director of Athletics, Ohio University

Applications Accepted From

Public: Open to the Public

Special Instructions to Applicants

Ohio University invites letters of nomination, applications, or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University.

View Full Description

Posting Details

Applications will be accepted until midnight (Eastern Time Zone) on the ‘Posting End Date’ shown below.

Position Information

Business Title

Director of Athletics, Ohio University

Applications Accepted From

Public: Open to the Public

Special Instructions to Applicants

Ohio University invites letters of nomination, applications, or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University.

Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made.

For full consideration, application materials should be submitted at Parker Executive Search’s website .

For additional information, please contact:

Daniel Parker, Vice President and Managing Director

Grant Higgison, Principal

Gray McGee, Executive Recruiting Coordinator

ghiggison@parkersearch.comgmcgee@parkersearch.com

Parker Executive Search

770-804-1996 ext. 118

This position is eligible for the following benefits:

medical, vision, dental, basic and supplemental life, winter break closure, paid holidays, educational benefits for you and eligible dependents, sick leave, vacation, and retirement.

Posting Number

2016166T

Department Summary

Ohio University is Ohio’s first and finest public university, founded in 1804 as the first institution of higher learning in the Northwest Territory. For more than two centuries, we have continued to grow, adapt, and lead—remaining true to our mission while evolving to meet the needs of each new generation of students.

Today, OHIO enrolls nearly 30,000 students across the state and online, offering over 250 academic programs in fields ranging from business, communications, and healthcare to the social sciences, the arts, and STEM. Our focus is on student success—providing access to real-world industry and research experiences at an affordable cost. It’s why U.S. News & World Report ranks Ohio University as the No. 1 Best Value public university in the state and among the top in the nation.

Our beautiful 1,740-acre main campus in Athens is consistently recognized as one of America’s best college towns. Blending seamlessly into Uptown Athens, the campus is steps away from historic neighborhoods, a vibrant local food culture, and an abundance of community connections. Ohio University is also proud to be classified as a research university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation, as well as an Opportunity University.

As a charter member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC), OHIO competes in NCAA Division I athletics with 16 varsity men’s and women’s sports and more than 400 student-athletes. Our Athletics program is built on a commitment to excellence, integrity, and the holistic success of our student-athletes—both academically and athletically. Whether in competition or in the classroom, Bobcat Athletics inspires pride in our students, alumni, faculty, staff, and fans across the globe

Position Profile

The Director of Athletics reports to the President of the University and serves on the President’s Executive Council. The Director of Athletics is responsible for all aspects of the Athletics department, including fundraising, strategic planning, budgeting, personnel management, student wellbeing, and sports information, which includes media relations, marketing initiatives, and licensing.

The University seeks a leader of its intercollegiate athletics program, who will work with students, faculty, staff, community, and alumni across the University to maintain excellence in its athletics programs, recruit and retain a diverse group of exceptional coaches, and promote the student-athletes’ academic and athletic achievements throughout the University community. The Director of Athletics will work in concert with the President, as well as other senior leaders to support the overall goals and objectives of the University.

Level Summary

• Provide leadership that adheres to the highest standards of integrity in all athletic, academic, and business matters.
• Set conditions and promote an environment that fosters each student athlete’s health and welfare, academic and athletic achievement, and overall growth and development.
• Instill a culture and commitment to Title IX throughout the department.
• Lead the development of athletics fundraising goals and work in close coordination with University Advancement, the Board of Trustees, volunteer leaders, specifically the Bobcat Club, to develop fundraising strategies to meet strategic priorities. Meet with donors and prospective donors and actively engage in on-going fundraising activities.
• Instill a championship culture throughout the Athletics department that empowers coaches, student-athletes, student employees, and staff as they compete for MAC championships.
• Develop a clear vision that will ensure the Athletics department has a competitive advantage in fundraising, facilities development, and the recruitment, retention and promotion of student-athletes and athletics personnel.
• Ensure budgetary and fiscal accountability of the Athletics department to adhere to a balanced budget through enhancing revenue generation and monitoring spending.
• Provide effective communication as the spokesperson for Ohio University and the Athletics department with the media, alumni, donors, fans, parents, faculty, staff, administration, and prospective student-athletes.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, administrators, staff, student body, student government associations, alumni, friends, booster clubs, and the local community regarding athletics at Ohio University.
• Provide strategic leadership and sound decision-making with regard to all Athletics department matters including fiscal affairs, personnel, strategic planning, facilities, public relations, and general operations.
• Provide full compliance with all applicable Federal, State, NCAA, MAC, and University rules and regulations.
• Demonstrate collaborative, mission-driven leadership through a commitment to Ohio University’s public mission and the ability to work across academic, administrative, and external sectors—advancing a culture where athletics amplifies institutional impact within the state, region, and beyond.
• The ideal candidate will bring both a deep understanding of collegiate athletics and a forward-looking engagement mindset—ensuring Ohio University’s athletics program continues to lift all four pillars of the Dynamic Strategy and OHIO’s mission.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Director of Athletics provides strategic leadership and oversight for all aspects of the Athletics Department, including personnel management of coaches, senior administrators, and support staff.

Fiscal Responsibilities

Responsible for overseeing the financial operations of a multi-million dollar budget and for ensuring compliance with applicable polices and regulations. This includes identifying opportunities to increase revenue and supporting efforts to maintain financial stability.

Problem Solving

The Director must exercise sound judgment and strategic thinking to address complex challenges related to compliance, student-athlete welfare, competitive performance, and resource allocation. This includes resolving issues involving NCAA regulations, Title IX compliance, and operational efficiency.

Independence of Action

The Director of Athletics works with a high degree of independence, demonstrating effective leadership and discretion in decision-making while managing complex operations and driving long-term strategic plans to advance the university’s athletic programs.

Communication and Collaboration

The role requires the ability to cultivate strong relationships across academic and administrative units, collaborate closely with University Advancement on fundraising initiatives, and communicate transparently with internal and external stakeholders.

Physical Requirements

Ability to perform essential leadership functions in a dynamic environment, including maintaining a visible presence across multiple locations and adapting to varied work settings and schedules as needed to fulfill the responsibilities of the role.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required
• Progressive and highly relevant athletic administrative experience, preferably at the Division I level.
• Commitment to fundraising.
• Proven ability to work with diverse populations of students, faculty, staff, and external constituents.
• Demonstrated success in hiring, supervising and mentoring senior-level staff, developing and monitoring a multi-million dollar budget, and working with faculty, staff, students and administration.
• Strong record of compliance along with a thorough knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations.
• Unwavering commitment to ethics and student-athlete academic success and well-being.
• Excellent written, interpersonal and oral communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree is preferred.

Department

Intercollegiate Athletics Office

Pay Rate

Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.

Pay Grade

EXEC

Pay Range

Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.

FLSA Status

Exempt

Job Category

Administrative at-will appointment

Employment Type

full-time regular

Job Family

Athletics

Job Sub Family

Athletics Administrative Operations

Job Level

EXEC

Job Open Date

08/13/2025

Posting End Date

Planning Unit

Intercollegiate Athletics

Work Schedule

Months

12 month

Campus

Athens

Expected hours worked per week

Expected duration of assignment

Applicants may contact this person if they have questions about this position.

Grant Higgison, Principal Gray McGee, Executive Recruiting Coordinator ghiggison@parkersearch.com | gmcgee@parkersearch.com

Non-Discrimination Statement

Ohio University is proud of its rich history and as part of our ongoing efforts to provide and support a transformative learning experience, we affirm our commitment to fostering a welcoming and respectful workforce and community. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration free from discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military service or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, status as a parent or foster parent, or any other bases under the law. Ohio university is an equal access/equal opportunity employer.

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Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Optional Documents

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

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