Athletic Director Job Description Template

Athletic Director

[Intro Paragraph] The purpose of the introduction is to catch potential candidates’ attention and entice them to read more. To do this, be sure that your athletic director job description highlights as many of the key facts and qualities about your school that make it stand out. Positive historical facts, alumni support, notable alumni, and attendance at games all count in your efforts to attract candidates who resonate with your institution’s values. This is also a great place to mention any best-in-class facilities or special equipment that would impress candidates.

Athletic Director Job Responsibilities

• Administer guidance for sports programming.
• Confer with coaches to establish games, events, and practice schedules.
• Work with coaches to determine travel arrangements.
• Establish conference and league schedules.
• Select, recruit, and oversee coaching staff.
• Coproduce a postseason plan with league officials.
• Maintain orderly, clean, and safe facilities and equipment.
• Generate and file team statistics promptly.
• Comply with school, NCAA, and other association rules.
• Discuss student eligibility with school administrators.
• Develop and regulate the budget and appropriate spending for equipment, facilities, salaries, referees/umpires, and more.

[Work Hours & Benefits] Athletic directors can expect to work 5-6 days a week, with hours depending on the time of year and the kind of sports your program participates in. They are used to working early mornings and evenings to accommodate training and practice for students with day-time classes. When writing your athletic director job description, be sure to list all the standard benefits offered, as well as any special perks that your organization offers. The list may include:

• Medical, vision, dental, and short-term and long-term disability benefits
• 401k retirement plan
• Admission to sports events
• Discounted admission to sporting events for friends and family
• Tuition reimbursement for children and spouse
• Opportunity for career advancement

Athletic Director Qualifications and Skills

In addition to a passion for sports and an enthusiasm for coaching and mentoring, hiring an athletic director with strong people and communication skills is a must. From students and faculty, to parents, community members, media, and staff, athletic directors must interact with an array of groups on and off campus. That makes communication across various audiences a must-have for a successful athletic director. The pressure to win is just as important to athletic directors as it is for players and coaching staff. The typical list of qualifications and skills can include:

• Strong interpersonal communication
• Ability to manage relationships with coaches, school administrators, and the public
• Skilled at providing motivation and direction to the coaches
• A resourceful leader that delegates tasks effectively
• Conference attendance and ongoing professional development are necessary
• Strong analytical, administrative, and multitasking skills
• A proven track record with creating and overseeing an athletic department’s strategic plan

Education & Experience Requirements

• At a minimum, the candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree in sports management, health, physical education, or other related fields
• Master’s degree preferred
• Five years of athletic, coaching, and teaching experience are required
• Knowledge of fundraising and promotional events

[Call to Action] Include a call to action at the end of the job description to ensure that candidates know the next steps in the application process. This should provide details about how to apply for the position, with time frames, if available.