Job Description

About the University of San Diego

Charted in 1949, the University of San Diego (USD) was founded under the leadership of Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill of the Society of the Sacred Heart and Bishop Charles Francis Buddy of the Diocese of San Diego. USD is a private Roman Catholic research University that carries a mission to be a contemporary Catholic university, grounded in the liberal arts and anchored along an international border, advancing academic excellence to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and hopeful world. Ranked as the #2 Most Beautiful Campus by The Princeton Review, the campus has over 180 acres of grounds that display beautiful 16th century Spanish Renaissance architecture, beaches, mountains, and downtown. USD has created the perfect setting for those seeking a rigorous and rewarding academic environment.

Under the leadership and guidance of James T. “Jim” Harris, III, D.Ed., USD has become ranked the #54 Best Value School in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Having a highly diverse student body with 43% of the student population being minorities and 6% being international students, USD currently has over 9,100 undergraduate, paralegal, graduate, and law students enrolled. USD offers a multitude of degree options that gives each student the opportunity to receive a highly valued education. USD offers students 49 bachelor’s degrees, 56 minors, 41 master’s degrees, five doctorates, five LLM degrees, and dual degree programs. Behind their six core values of Academic Excellence, Catholic Identity, Human Dignity, Care for the Common Home, Ethical Conduct and Compassionate Service, and Inspired and Meaningful Lives, USD has continued to produce over 77,000 alumni across all 50 states and 100 countries who make an impact in their communities daily.

About USD Athletics

Known as the Toreros, USD sponsors 17 men’s and women’s varsity sports programs at the NCAA Division I level. Competing as members of the West Coast Conference and Pioneer Football League, the athletic department’s student-athletes have enjoyed success both on and off the field of play. The Toreros football team has enjoyed success as they have captured or shared the Pioneer Football League title six of the past seven years. Women’s volleyball has punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament 20 of the past 22 seasons, with the most recent tournament run taking them to the NCAA Final Four in 2022, Men’s Tennis has enjoyed eight straight trips to the NCAA Tournament while capturing five consecutive WCC titles, and Men’s Soccer has won the WCC Conference Title in back-to-back years. Toreros’ success could not be possible without USD’s excellent sports facilities. The Purcell Family Championship Golf Practice Facility recently opened on August 31, 2023, the $6.5M state-of-the-art Skip and Cindy Hogan Tennis Center opened in January of 2022, the Jenny Craig Pavilion will have modernized renovations completed in July of 2024, while adding a new Basketball Practice Facility that is scheduled to be opening in the Fall of 2024. Notable individuals that are Toreros athletics alumni are NL MVP and 2016 World Series Champion, Kris Bryant, Detroit Lions fifth-round draft pick and All-Pro Cornerback, Jamal Agnew, Former Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach, Mike Brown, and a member of the Bulgarian Olympic volleyball team, Petia Yanchulova.

Position Summary

Reporting to the President, the Associate Vice President / Executive Director of Athletics (AVP / EDA) is a member of the President’s Strategic Leadership Team (SLT). Members of the SLT are expected to be servant leaders that possess creativity, flexibility, inclusivity, resilience, intelligence, patience, and a sense of humor. Working well with others, building strong bonds, and being a great teammate are imperative to building relationships with the SLT to help move strategic initiatives for the University forward.

The AVP / EDA is expected to build a culture of trust in the Athletic Department and across campus and is responsible for all administrative, management, and supervisory aspects of the Department of Athletics. S/he is responsible for the strategic long-range planning and monitoring of budgets, personnel, programs, facilities, fundraising, promotions and marketing, and public relations for a NCAA Division I program consisting of eight sports for men and nine sports for women. The AVP / EDA is responsible for holding academic requirements and pursuits as a matter of highest priority for student-athletes. The AVP / EDA is expected to foster a culture of inclusivity as it relates to DEI, Title IX, and the West Coast Conference’s commitment to equitable search processes with the Russell Rule. The AVP / EDA is also responsible for assuring that all programs support the University’s Catholic mission and comply with all NCAA and conference standards.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Designs, implements, and performs fundraising activities and revenue generation for athletics as conducted by the department and/or the University; oversees and maintains strong public relations associations. (45%)

• • Works collaboratively with the Sr. Assoc. AD., Associate AD for Development and Assistant AD for Marketing regarding all athletics-related cultivation opportunities.
  • Attends appropriate fundraising events.
  • Solicits potential donors.
  • Provides administrative direction for the athletics Strategic Communications Office regarding organizing and maintaining athletics-related and University publications, game management, and the promotion of athletic programs to the campus community and public through print and electronic media.
  • Maintains positive relationships with print and electronic media outlets.
  • Works collaboratively with the Associate AD for Development and Assistant AD for Marketing regarding promotions, marketing, and advertising planning for athletics.
  • Works collaboratively with the University’s Advancement team to sustain and grow University fundraising efforts.

1. Develops, disseminates, and implements departmental policies and regulations for the conduct of intercollegiate athletic programs. Assures compliance with all regulatory agencies. (15%)

• • Creates and provides written documentation that aids in achieving departmental objectives while maintaining sound academic standards.
  • Develops strategic long-range planning objectives considering the mission of the University as well as the philosophy of the overall athletics program.
  • Provides oversight for compliance with the rules and regulations of the NCAA, federal Title IX, conference and institutional policies by coaches, employees, friends, and supporters of the University.
  • Develops ongoing plans/recommendations for compliance with Title IX regulations.
  • Compiles annual “Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act” report, Graduate Success Rate (GSR), and NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR); disseminates to the campus community and the public as required by law.
  • Participates in conference and NCAA activities and attends appropriate meetings of those bodies to aid in formulating policies.
  • Provides oversight for implementing NCAA Academic Eligibility Center procedures.

1. Leads the intercollegiate athletic programs, including coordination of present programs, and development of new programs in response to campus and community needs. (10%)

• • Oversees Women’s and Men’s Basketball in collaboration with its coaching staff.
  • Maintains general oversight for the following programs and activities:
  • NCAA Student Athlete Opportunity Fund.
  • NCAA scholarships, internships, and awards programs.
  • Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
  • Evaluates the overall contribution of each sport and researches opportunities to include new sports as needs and interests evolve.

1. Oversees all fiscal operations of the department in accordance with University policies and procedures. (10%)

• • Prepares annual budget (personnel, equipment, etc.) for submission to the University President after consultation with the Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Budget Analyst, and coaches.
  • Works with the University President in long-range fiscal planning and goals development for the overall athletics program.
  • Determines and implements the effective use of restricted funds raised for individual sports in collaboration with Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Budget Analyst, and appropriate coaches.
  • Cooperates in the annual external audit process of athletic finances per NCAA requirements.

1. Oversees planning of athletic events as well as maintenance and refurbishing of athletic facilities as needed. (10%)

• • Supervises scheduling of intercollegiate athletic contests for Men’s and Women’s Basketball
  • in conjunction with the coaches.
  • Executes contracts for athletic contests, facility rental(s) and facility use in collaboration with Associate Director of Athletics for Facilities and Operations per University policies.
  • Assists in the development, maintenance, and implementation of a facilities master plan for intercollegiate athletics.
  • Submits bids to stage NCAA and WCC championship events, community events and national events acquired by the San Diego community.

1. Other general responsibilities. (10%)

• • Recruits, hires, trains, and evaluates administrative staff, coaching staff, and administrative support personnel.
  • Responsible for special projects and research.
  • Community involvement with sports organizations that benefit the University, i.e., the San Diego Sports Commission, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, and the San Diego Hall of Champions.
  • Liaison to the University’s NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative to monitor the academic integrity of the athletics program and the welfare of student-athletes.
  • Reports the status of all major policies, programs, and plans for the department to the Athletics Committee of the Board of Trustees.
  • Serves on University committees as appropriate to support and enhance the role of athletics in a holistic academic program.
  • Travels to major tournaments, key conference contests and NCAA postseason tournament championships.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in relevant field strongly preferred.
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience, with at least five years in an executive position, in intercollegiate sports administration or other related industry.
• Inclusive leadership style with a proven track record of promoting Inclusive Excellence and a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as a working knowledge of and commitment to the West Coast Conference’s Russell Rule.
• Supervisory and budget experience.
• Proven experience in successful development activities.
• Experience with NCAA regulations, Title IX requirements and intercollegiate athletic conferences at the Division I level required; experience with successful Division I basketball programs strongly preferred.

Application Process:

The University of San Diego invites nominations and applications or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University. Applications must include a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, and list of references. For full consideration, application materials should be submitted to Parker Executive Search’s by February 2, 2024. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made.

For additional information, please contact:

Daniel Parker, Vice President and Managing Director

Grant Higgison, Principal

Xavier Harper, Executive Recruiting Coordinator

ghiggison@parkersearch.com xharper@parkersearch.com

Parker Executive Search

770-804-1996 ext. 118 | 770-804-1996 ext. 123

The University of San Diego is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive community for students, families, faculty and staff from different backgrounds and faith traditions.

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