The George Mason University Intercollegiate Athletics Department is seeking a dynamic leader to fill the position of Athletic Director. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

About George Mason University:

George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in both academics and research. Mason holds a top U.S. News and World Report “Up and Coming” spot for national universities and is recognized for its global appeal and excellence in higher education.

Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200-degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason’s diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.

About the Position:

The Athletic Director (AD) is the top administrative position responsible for Intercollegiate Athletics within the University structure. The AD is charged with broad executive oversight of the athletic department at large. As part of the mission of George Mason, the AD fosters an inclusive environment for our student athletes, faculty, and staff. Adherence to all Title IX, NCAA, and Atlantic 10 regulations, both current and future, is as integral a priority as setting direction for and management of the Intercollegiate Athletics Department. Oversight includes providing direct supervision to leaders within the athletic department, overseeing multifaceted aspects of personnel, facilities, marketing, programming, planning, and budgeting activities of intercollegiate athletics and related groups. The successful finalist will be able to demonstrate substantial experience developing a competitive, inclusive, academically strong, regulatory compliant athletics department and community, as well as experience evaluating, hiring, and retaining top quality coaches who are committed to scholar athletes.

Direct reports to the Athletic Director include all leadership roles over discreet functional areas within the Intercollegiate Athletics Department, as well as revenue sports.

• • Serve as an advisor to the President and the Chief of Staff, President’s Office, providing advice, consultation, and support in the development of policy, long-range planning, and responses to issues and trends affecting intercollegiate athletics.
  • Evaluate, recommend revisions of, and communicate policies related to athletics, e.g., ticket policies, scheduling, and travel policies, etc.
  • Assure all staff complies with appropriate University, Conference (Atlantic 10), and NCAA rules and regulations.

• Provide leadership in responding to, as well as anticipating student needs, and campus issues related to all University athletic programs.
• Provide leadership oversight, consultation, and support for each of the functional areas supervised.
• Maintain a long-range planning process for the administrative services and developmental programs within the purview of these areas.
• Ensure all staff maintain proper records and file appropriate reports.
• Provide general oversight and coordination of all athletic activities taking place in Eagle Bank Arena.
• Monitor all scheduling of athletic contests and contractual agreements.
• Provide assistance and direction to the development office in coordinating the efforts of alumni support to athletics at every level of giving.
• Provide leadership and the necessary energy and skill in making the case for philanthropic and corporate support to internal and external stakeholders.

• Provide oversight, direction, consultation, and support to those directly supervised.
• Schedule, plan, and conduct staff meetings as appropriate.
• Provide performance evaluation of staff supervised according to division standards and appropriate personnel policy.
• Adhere to university guidance for annual review processes including recommending merit increases in salaries of those supervised as well.
• Recruit, select, and train staff with direct reporting relationships.

• Administer preparation and submission to the President through the Chief of Staff, President’s Office, the budget plans and proposals for areas supervised, including any modifications and augmentations and their justification.
• Develop and implement programs to increase self-generated revenue sources for the athletic department, including public-private partnerships, NCAA and Conference distributions, ticketing and promotions, sponsorships, and third-party revenue.
• Provide oversight for the planning and monitoring of the athletic scholarship program within budget guidelines.
• Ensure staff adherence and conformance to departmental and University budget policies, plans and proposals, and spending with a strong emphasis on responsible, efficient, and effective financial stewardship of Commonwealth funds.
• Oversee the athletic department capital planning process, project implementation and management, and facilities and event operations.

• Act as a liaison with other departments and divisions within the University including University Life, Mason Recreation, and other departments, divisions, and related outside groups connected with the University as appropriate to given areas of responsibility.
• Encourage and promote collaboration between all areas directly/indirectly supervised within Intercollegiate Athletics to other areas of the University.
• Confer with, counsel, and advise students, faculty, staff, and parents regarding programs, services, and activities available to students.
• Provide guidance to the Athletic Council in recommending athletic policy.
• Represent the interests of the Athletic Department in all areas of the University, e.g., admissions, financial aid, registrar, business office, personnel, development, diversity, equity and inclusion, etc.
• Responsible for maintaining positive public relations image, engaging or working with the local community.
• Represent the athletic department with regional and national organizations, i.e., NCAA, Atlantic 10, NACDA, NABC.

• Advanced Degree in related field or Bachelor’s Degree plus substantial relevant experience in related field (typically 8+ years of progressively increased responsibility).
• Demonstrated leadership in intercollegiate athletics.
• Excellent administrative and financial management skills.
• Demonstrated brand marketing, public relations, and media experience.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively with multiple constituent groups.
• Strategic vision and ability to mobilize support behind institutional goals.
• Firm commitment to ethics and student-athlete academic success.
• Good business acumen and skill in revenue-generation.
• A record of achievement in NCAA Division I athletic administration is highly desired.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, community, diversity, and gender equity.
• Deep understanding of NCAA rules and a track record of success in meeting compliance standards.
• Ability to recruit and hire outstanding coaches and staff.
• Understanding of and commitment to the NCAA’s primary purpose of maintaining intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the educational program, and the athlete as an integral part of the student body.

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.