The University of Tampa Director of Athletics

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Director of Athletics provides oversight of all athletics programs, including the hiring and supervision of coaching and administrative staff; strategic planning to respond to current and future program needs and ambitions; and oversight of the department’s budget and revenue generation efforts. The AD is responsible for developing and executing fundraising strategies, cultivating donor and corporate partnerships, and maximizing external revenue streams to support the department’s financial sustainability and competitive success. The AD guides the overall direction of the athletics department, operating in concert with the values and mission of the university, aligning its priorities with those of the university, and fostering a culture of excellence. The AD reports directly to the president of the university.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Student-Athlete Academic Success & Well-Being: Maintain and enhance UTampa student-athletes’ exceptional academic success outcomes, ensuring high retention rates, graduation rates, and strong GPA performance. Develop and implement academic support programs that reinforce UTampa’s commitment to student-athlete excellence in the classroom. Foster a supportive family atmosphere that prioritizes student-athlete well-being, both academically and personally.
• Enhancing School Spirit & Campus Engagement: Strengthen the role of athletics as a central component of student life by implementing strategies to significantly increase student attendance at games and create a more vibrant, engaging game-day experience. Collaborate with student organizations, residence life, and campus departments to integrate athletics into the broader student experience, enhancing school spirit and sense of belonging.
• Alumni & Community Engagement: Elevate the role of athletics as a primary driver of alumni engagement by increasing attendance and participation at athletics events—both in-person and virtually. Develop innovative initiatives to connect alumni and fans remotely, utilizing digital engagement strategies, live-streaming, and interactive content. Establish structured opportunities for student-athletes, the mascot, and the cheer team to actively participate in regional alumni events and on-campus initiatives, injecting excitement and reinforcing connections between athletics and UTampa’s broader community.
• Athletics Fundraising & Revenue Diversification: Transform athletics fundraising into a significant and reliable revenue source for the university. Work in collaboration with UTampa’s Office of Development and University Relations to build a comprehensive athletics fundraising strategy, increasing donor engagement and major gift cultivation. Expand revenue streams beyond traditional fundraising by exploring innovative monetization strategies, such as the development of facility projects to generate additional revenue through rentals, community programs, and special events.
• Strategic Leadership & Competitive Excellence: Lead a data-driven assessment of UTampa’s athletics practices, policies, and operational models to ensure alignment with national best standards. Conduct a comprehensive study, evaluating competitive positioning, financial requirements, scholarship commitments, and infrastructure needs. Develop a roadmap that successfully positions UTampa to compete at the highest level nationally, based on strategic alignment with university priorities and resources.
• Athletics Administration & Program Oversight: Provide leadership across all facets of UTampa’s intercollegiate athletics program, including personnel management, sport supervision, budget oversight, facilities operations, and compliance. Identify, recruit, and evaluate head coaches in all sports, ensuring alignment with the university’s culture and competitive goals. Oversee scheduling and coordination of game contracts to optimize competitive opportunities and financial efficiency.
• Regulatory & Compliance Standards: Ensure full compliance with all NCAA, Sunshine State Conference, and university policies. Establish rigorous internal monitoring systems to proactively address compliance matters, minimizing risk while maintaining integrity and adherence to national and conference regulations.
• Financial Management & Budget Planning: Develop and manage the athletics department’s operational budget in collaboration with the university’s CFO, ensuring financial sustainability and strategic resource allocation. Build and execute long-term budget and resource plans that account for facility enhancements, staffing growth, scholarship expansion, and increased operational needs as the department evolves.
• Visibility & Brand Enhancement: Strengthen the visibility of UTampa Athletics by integrating athletics into the university’s broader brand identity. Develop strategic marketing campaigns that drive fan engagement, increase attendance, and enhance UTampa Athletics’ public profile.
• Cross-Campus Collaboration & Institutional Engagement: Serve as an active member of the university’s senior leadership team, directly advising and supporting the university president on matters related to athletics. Build strategic partnerships with academic departments, student affairs, admissions, and other campus units to ensure that athletics is fully integrated into the broader mission of the university.