Job Posting Title
Associate Director of Athletics for Budget & Planning/Chief Operating Officer
Job Description
The Associate Athletic Director for Budget & Planning/Chief Operating Officer is a member of the Athletic Department’s leadership team and provides leadership in various capacities across internal operations and the execution of the department’s stated goals, as well as specific and defined authority in the absence of the Director of Athletics.
This position is responsible for the overall budget and financial planning for the athletic department. Managing all department budgets, making independent allocation decisions, and identifying and implementing fiscally responsible systems. This role involves overseeing budget development, evaluating annual budgets, reporting on financial trends, and supervising sport-specific budgetary responsibilities. The COO works to maintain the department's financial health by, for example, developing and implementing zero-based or incremental budget systems, ensuring accurate equipment inventory, and prioritizing purchases and upgrades. This responsibility includes development, independent decision-making regarding allocations, and the ability to take discretionary actions in alternative resource use. The position is responsible for the annual evaluation of all budgets, reporting trends, and identifying and implementing fiscally responsible systems for each reporting unit.
The Associate AD for Budget & Planning/COO serves as the lead of the internal operations unit, providing leadership, planning, and supervision across facility project and operations, transportation operations, budget development & management, strategic planning, human resource operations in consultation with the University Human Resource Department, and event management. This includes providing leadership and direction in the development and execution of the department’s facility strategic plan, while collaborating to development of the department’s strategic vision. The Associate AD/COO serves as a liaison between Athletics and several internal and external groups, including University Physical Plant & Grounds Department, Administration & Finance, University Foundation, Financial Aid, Residential Life, various University Auxiliary Services, the Department of Public Safety, Local Law Enforcement agencies, and other campus entities, and outside contractors. The Associate AD/COO is responsible for tracking and assisting with the development of a strategic vision & facility plan, facility scheduling and usage, and a tracking mechanism for facility deferred maintenance and replacement cycles for capital items.
This position also provides leadership within the sport supervision team, with responsibilities specific to sports aligned with background and experience.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Budget preparation and fiscal management, including knowledge and understanding to lead and coordinate annual audits (EADA, NCAA, University, etc.) and manage priority roll forward and depreciation schedules.
- Oversight of a range of athletic operations, facility management, and strategic administrative aspects to develop a comprehensive approach to deliver first-class operations, combined with fiscal and strategic planning.
- Analyze and interpret financial data and prepare financial reports, statements, and/or projections.
- Develop initiatives to organize resources and establish priorities, based on the strategic vision of the department.
- Examine and potentially re-engineer operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures to maximize resources and efficiencies, while elevating operations.
- Support the continuous development and assessment of the strategic vision, including vertically building initiatives and success measures.
- Oversight and support of business operation, gameday and event operations, department transportation fleet management, and facility management.
- Ability to supervise, hire, and train staff, while supporting ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Ability to develop and maintain recordkeeping systems and procedures.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Dedication to ongoing learning and professional development, alongside financial responsibility; demonstrating curiosity, a growth mentality, and the pursuit of knowledge via certifications, continuous education, and professional affiliations. Excellent communicator - in person, in writing, and across all platforms. Service-minded professional who genuinely enjoys working in college athletics and supports coaches and student-athletes. Demonstrates character, integrity, accountability, and competitive drive. Embraces challenges with a growth mindset and a proactive, strategic, and solution-oriented approach. Thrives in fast-paced environments; organized, efficient, and responsive with exceptional attention to detail. Passionate about contributing to a first-in-class, championship-level program built on integrity, teamwork, and excellence. Demonstrated success leading or coordinating annual audits (EADA, NCAA, University, or comparable), event and facility management, experience developing effective policy and procedures, strategic planning, and experience leading and mentoring others.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Master’s degree preferred. Proven record in leading and involvement with various budgeting and business operations. Proven track record of successful athletic events and facility management, and overall athletic department operations. Supervisory experience and a track record of mentoring high-performing teams are strongly preferred.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
Conducted in a fast-paced office and athletic facility setting.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
General office conditions. General athletic event environments that occur both indoors and outdoors in variable conditions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Basic office and computer skills, experience with Teamworks (or comparable system), Workday (or similar) preferred, and ability to learn new software programs. Demonstrated understanding of accounting principles, project management & strategic planning, and college athletic operations.
This position will supervise professional staff (Business Operations & Administration, Internal Operations, Event & Facilities, & Assigned Sport Coaches, Graduate Assistants, and student employees).
Benefits: To review our competitive benefit package, please visit
FHSU Benefits.
Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin January 8, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.
Application Process: To apply for this position, please visit
FHSU Careers. Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.
Required Application Documents: Applicants must submit letter of application addressing the qualifications listed above, a current resume, and the names and contact information of three references.
Applicant documents must be submitted in one PDF.
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 if applicable for the position.
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.
