The Athletic Director at Fort Hays State University is responsible for the administration and management of the University’s intercollegiate athletics programs, which include nearly 500 student athletes involved in the following Division II programs: Football, Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Wrestling, Baseball, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Women’s Tennis, Men’s and Women’s Track and Field, and Men’s and Women’s Cross Country.
This position provides oversight for the management of athletics-related facilities, equipment, and staff, and monitors compliance with University, conference, state, and NCAA rules and regulations. The Athletic Director builds and maintains a strong Athletics Department, develops budgets and manages funds, serves on the Athletic Association board, and works closely with Athletics staff, University administration, other divisions and units within the University, the FHSU Foundation, and various other internal and external stakeholders of the University in order to recruit and retain student athletes, develop and promote successful athletics programs and programming, oversee revenue generation activities, build a culture of respect, professionalism, and integrity that reflects positively on the University and its mission, and position FHSU Athletics for long-term success.
The Athletic Director leads a department with over 50 employees, including 14 head coaches. This position reports to the University President and serves as an integral part of the President’s leadership team.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Administer Athletics programs and day-to-day operations at the University. Oversee the management of facilities, equipment, and staff, and provide leadership and direction for the Athletics department. Supervise Athletics Department staff. Participate in the recruiting, hiring, training, retention, supervision, discipline, and promotion of department employees. Implement training, mentorship, and evaluation programs to ensure that coaches and athletics staff have the support and resources they need to achieve the department’s goals. Develop and implement successful intercollegiate athletics programs and programming at FHSU. Oversee planning, operations, facilities, staffing, resourcing, and coordination of athletics competition and other athletics-related events and activities. Work with Athletics staff and University communications, and other University departments, the media, community members, and various other internal and external stakeholders, in order to develop and promote athletic events and activities. Oversee the preparation of press releases, conferences, and other media coverage. Oversee the development and management of department budgets and finances. Allocate resources effectively and monitor expenditures in order to ensure the continued operation of athletics programming. Ensure that department, team, special events, and equipment budgets are managed according to all applicable University policies and procedures. Work effectively with the University’s lead fundraising partner, the FHSU Foundation, to maximize fundraising opportunities in support of FHSU Athletics.
Oversee accurate recordkeeping and the collection of data and other department statistics. Ensure that required and requested reports and information are prepared as necessary. Provide oversight of the recruitment and retention of student athletes in coordination with Student Affairs and other relevant University departments and personnel. Foster relationships with alumni groups, community organizations, and fundraising partners in order to promote and develop University athletics programming. Serve as the Athletic Department’s primary representative for FHSU Athletics, MIAA, and NCAA, and represent the University and FHSU Athletics in a professional manner at all times. Oversee operations and cultivate a culture of compliance and student athlete success to ensure alignment with MIAA, NCAA, and University policies, rules, and regulations. Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
In-depth knowledge of applicable policies, rules, and regulations, and existing and emerging trends, involved in intercollegiate athletics.
Exceptional work ethic, integrity and credibility, and interpersonal and communication skills.
Visionary, collaborative, and decisive in identifying priorities, making decisions, and resolving problems. Results-driven with a strong commitment to accountability, transparency, and excellence.
Demonstrated success in fundraising and budgeting, fiscal management and reporting, business and administrative management practices, and project and event management.
Experience with successfully recruiting, hiring, and supervising others. Skillful in conflict resolution, public relations, crisis management, and delegation of responsibility and authority.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Requires working nights and weekends, as well as travel.
You can find additional information about FHSU Athletics, including news, team information, staff, and facilities, at the following website: FHSU Athletics - Official Athletics Website.
Appointment Date: Anticipated June 2025
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE This position requires a bachelor’s degree in athletics administration, business, or another relevant field, as well as at least ten years of administrative and/or coaching experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree
Experience and proven success in leading an intercollegiate athletics program and working with the various internal and external stakeholders involved in such a program.
Proven leadership and strategic thinking ability in overseeing and managing staff, facilities, equipment, operations, and programs involved in an athletics program or similar enterprise.
Fort Hays State University was founded in 1902 as the Western Branch of Kansas State Normal School. The institution was originally located on the grounds of Fort Hays, a Nineteenth-Century frontier military outpost. The state of Kansas initially intended the university’s academic programs to focus on agriculture, but it opened as a “normal” or teacher’s college.
FHSU today is a regional comprehensive public university where determined, innovative and caring faculty and staff share a deep commitment to teaching and mentoring students. Our mission is to develop the engaged global citizen-leaders our world needs today.