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.
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.
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.
Appointment Date: Anticipated June 2025
Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin February 24, 2025and continue until the position is filled.
Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience.
Benefits: To review out competitive benefit package, please visit
FHSU Benefits.
Application Process: To apply for this position, please visit
FHSU Careers. Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.
Required Application Documents: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, and the names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses for four current professional references. In your cover letter, please provide detailed examples illustrating your qualifications, skills, and experiences that position you to succeed in this role.
Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:
Joseph Bain
FHSU General Counsel and Search Committee Chair
Phone: (785) 628-5679
Community of Hays
FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.
Notice of Non-discrimination: Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.
Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.
Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or
www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.
