University of California, Riverside
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States, 92504
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Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
role at
University of California, Riverside
Reporting directly to the Chancellor, Dr. S. Jack Hu, with a dotted line relationship to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Dr. Brian Haynes, this structure supports the strategic leadership of the athletics department, ensuring alignment with the institution’s broader mission, while also facilitating effective day‑to‑day administrative oversight, including budget, compliance, and operations. Serving as a member of the Chancellor’s cabinet, this critical role provides executive leadership and strategic vision with broad institutional influence that not only drives competitive success but also powerfully advances the university's mission and elevates its academic and research profile. The Director of Intercollegiate Athletics serves as a leader around the campus, helping to instill a passion for athletics across campus and within the broader community, building on momentum, visibility, and opportunity.
Duties and Responsibilities: This role functions with autonomy, providing executive leadership over the multifaceted operations of the entire collegiate athletics program. The Director of Intercollegiate Athletics identifies objectives and manages human, financial, and physical resources. The operational and program results generated by this leader directly affect the overall organization‑wide performance and reputation.
Executive Leadership and Oversight: Providing overall responsibility for the direction and oversight of all intercollegiate athletics staff, facilities, and activities for Division I programs. This includes executive leadership over the multifaceted operations of the Division I athletics program through senior managers.
Strategic Vision and Goals: Developing athletics policies and authorizing their implementation. The Director provides strategic leadership and direction by establishing short‑ and long‑term goals to advance competitive success, student‑athlete development, and institutional priorities.
Competitive Success and Integrity: Being responsible for competitive success, financial sustainability, the overall student‑athlete experience, student‑athlete well‑being, while ensuring equity, compliance, and integrity in all operations. This includes prioritizing academic success, well‑being, and personal / professional development of student‑athletes.
Resource Stewardship: Managing human, financial, and physical resources with a high degree of autonomy. Key areas of leadership include fiscal management, fundraising, revenue generation, and facilities planning.
Policy and Compliance: Leading the development, implementation, and oversight of all departmental policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with university priorities, NCAA regulations, UC system policies, and federal/state requirements. The Director must maintain knowledge of applicable rules and standards of the affiliated athletic conference and the NCAA, and avoid violations.
Representation and Partnerships: Serving as the chief representative of the Athletics Department to internal constituencies, such as UCR's Athletics Governance Board, and external constituencies, including conference and NCAA committees. The role strengthens the university's reputation through campus collaborations and external partnerships.
Qualifications and Characteristics:
A bachelor's degree in related areas and/or equivalent experience/training with a college‑level program is required. An advanced degree in related areas and/or equivalent experience/training with a college‑level program is preferred.
10 to 15 years of related experience is required, with 3 to 5 years of related experience as an athletic director, assistant athletic director, or equivalent senior‑level role at the NCAA Division I level being preferred.
Nomination and Application Process
The University of California, Riverside invites nominations and applications or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University. Applications should include a cover letter, current resume or curriculum vitae, and a list of professional references. For full consideration, application materials should be submitted to Parker Executive Search’s website by January 2nd, 2026. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made.
Seniority level Director
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Education and Strategy/Planning
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Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
role at
University of California, Riverside
Reporting directly to the Chancellor, Dr. S. Jack Hu, with a dotted line relationship to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Dr. Brian Haynes, this structure supports the strategic leadership of the athletics department, ensuring alignment with the institution’s broader mission, while also facilitating effective day‑to‑day administrative oversight, including budget, compliance, and operations. Serving as a member of the Chancellor’s cabinet, this critical role provides executive leadership and strategic vision with broad institutional influence that not only drives competitive success but also powerfully advances the university's mission and elevates its academic and research profile. The Director of Intercollegiate Athletics serves as a leader around the campus, helping to instill a passion for athletics across campus and within the broader community, building on momentum, visibility, and opportunity.
Duties and Responsibilities: This role functions with autonomy, providing executive leadership over the multifaceted operations of the entire collegiate athletics program. The Director of Intercollegiate Athletics identifies objectives and manages human, financial, and physical resources. The operational and program results generated by this leader directly affect the overall organization‑wide performance and reputation.
Executive Leadership and Oversight: Providing overall responsibility for the direction and oversight of all intercollegiate athletics staff, facilities, and activities for Division I programs. This includes executive leadership over the multifaceted operations of the Division I athletics program through senior managers.
Strategic Vision and Goals: Developing athletics policies and authorizing their implementation. The Director provides strategic leadership and direction by establishing short‑ and long‑term goals to advance competitive success, student‑athlete development, and institutional priorities.
Competitive Success and Integrity: Being responsible for competitive success, financial sustainability, the overall student‑athlete experience, student‑athlete well‑being, while ensuring equity, compliance, and integrity in all operations. This includes prioritizing academic success, well‑being, and personal / professional development of student‑athletes.
Resource Stewardship: Managing human, financial, and physical resources with a high degree of autonomy. Key areas of leadership include fiscal management, fundraising, revenue generation, and facilities planning.
Policy and Compliance: Leading the development, implementation, and oversight of all departmental policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with university priorities, NCAA regulations, UC system policies, and federal/state requirements. The Director must maintain knowledge of applicable rules and standards of the affiliated athletic conference and the NCAA, and avoid violations.
Representation and Partnerships: Serving as the chief representative of the Athletics Department to internal constituencies, such as UCR's Athletics Governance Board, and external constituencies, including conference and NCAA committees. The role strengthens the university's reputation through campus collaborations and external partnerships.
Qualifications and Characteristics:
A bachelor's degree in related areas and/or equivalent experience/training with a college‑level program is required. An advanced degree in related areas and/or equivalent experience/training with a college‑level program is preferred.
10 to 15 years of related experience is required, with 3 to 5 years of related experience as an athletic director, assistant athletic director, or equivalent senior‑level role at the NCAA Division I level being preferred.
Nomination and Application Process
The University of California, Riverside invites nominations and applications or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University. Applications should include a cover letter, current resume or curriculum vitae, and a list of professional references. For full consideration, application materials should be submitted to Parker Executive Search’s website by January 2nd, 2026. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made.
Seniority level Director
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Education and Strategy/Planning
#J-18808-Ljbffr