Friends University is a Christian university of Quaker heritage in Wichita, Kansas. Friends is a vibrant private college that features a number of nationally recognized programs such as Zoo Science, Christian Spiritual Formation, Cyber Security and Fine Arts with an enrollment of approximately 800 undergraduates and 900 adult students.

The Athletic Director (A.D.) is directly responsible to the President. In this role the A.D. serves as an administrator over functions of an athletic nature. The program encompasses 18 sports in NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) championship programs, the coaches, assistant coaches, athletic trainers, sports information, and student workers. The Athletic Director provides administrative direction and oversight for all aspects of the school’s athletic program with special attention to recruiting athletes and developing resources for the area of athletics.  The Athletic Director serves as a liaison between the school and the parents, NAIA conference, faculty, and staff.  The position requires excellent organization, managerial and communication skills, budget management, and leadership of coaches and staff.

Friends University seeks to hire an Athletic Director who will embrace our mission and celebrate our commitment to equipping students, coaches, and staff to honor God in their personal, professional, and spiritual lives by adhering to the University’s RISE core values (Respect, Inclusion, Service and Excellence).  The mission of the University is:

Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.

The Athletic Director develops and implements a vision for Athletics including creating an annual and long term plan for the Athletic Department.  The Athletic Director establishes a culture consistent with the RISE values and establishes clear accountability and high standards for student, coaches and staff.

In addition, the Athletic Director performs the tasks below and is responsible for handling issues that arise needing resolution.

• Convene periodic meetings of coaches to discuss problems, plan activities, or answer questions.
• Supervises and communicates to coaching staff in regard to development and professional commitments, and information gained from attending other meetings e.g., financial aid, budgetary, eligibility, alumni, faculty, and student affairs.
• Assumes leadership role in hiring and training new staff members and makes recommendations to increase salaries, change in personnel assignments, facility schedules and Athletic events.
• Works closely with Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) and the registrar’s office in August, December, and January regarding certification of student-athletes. Raise questions of eligibility of particular athletes to FAR and the registrar’s office for resolution.
• Active in outreach and fundraising with alumni, parents, and friends of Athletics working in collaboration with the office of University Advancement.
• Prepare and submit budget requests after generating input from various athletic personnel.
• Monitors athletic budget activity.  Sign and approve all expenditures.
• Attends regional and national NAIA meetings.
• Represents Athletics in presentations to the Cabinet, Board of Trustees, Alumni Advisory Council, and with prospective students and families.
• Oversees athletic schedules planned by coaches or by the conference and provides careful planning for participation in national events beyond regular season schedules, especially after school is concluded in the spring.
• Works with staff so all programs meet NAIA standards and liability standards.
• Works with faculty and committees to account for student absences, Title IX, gender equity, graduation rates, and grant awards.
• Responsible for the signing and approval of all athletic grant awards, signing and maintaining records for awards in athletic program, and stimulating the pursuit of Academic All-American honors and various other awards gained only by extra effort on behalf of a worthy recipient.
• Collects data for annual report.
• Update program goals and individual goals annually.
• Collaborate with athletic ground specialist and outdoor staff to ensure outdoor facilities are updated and submit repair and facility requests to physical plant.
• Oversees office of sports information, training room, and athletic trainers.
• Maintain office hours that allow for easy access of participants and/or staff to consult.
• Attend a variety of campus events to provide a presence for the program.

QUALIFICATIONS

Requirements:

Knowledge of athletics administration at the collegiate level (preferably NAIA) and a demonstrated record of successful athletic recruiting and administrative experience. 

An earned Bachelor’s degree.

Demonstrated ability to develop a future vision and strategic plan for athletics.

Demonstrated commitment and sensitivity to diversity and inclusion.

A passion for developing student athletes and seeing students reach their educational goals.

Ability to recruit, motivate, supervise, and evaluate departmental personnel.

Competency in program and budget planning, management, and evaluation.

Ability to travel as needed.

Frequent evening and weekend work required.

The ability to collaborate effectively across units.

Preferred:

Three to five years of athletic administration experience is preferred.

An earned Master’s degree preferred.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with both internal and external constituencies.

Knowledge and ability to succeed in areas such as alumni relations and fundraising.

To be considered for the Athletic Director position, applications must be received in full by April 1, 2018. All interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.  The cover letter must address the following questions.

1. Describe why you are interested in a position at Friends University.
2. Describe your philosophy of athletics at the collegiate level.
3. Describe how you would contribute to the mission of Friends University as a Christian university of Quaker heritage.
4. Describe your leadership style and how you would lead an important department serving almost half of the students at the university.

Please visit our employment site at www.friends.edu/employment to apply.  Only applications submitted through this Friends University website application process will be accepted.