Description

Robert Morris University seeks an innovative, student-centered leader to serve as its next Vice President and Director of Athletics. This is a unique opportunity to lead a highly visible and impactful athletics program at a university that values excellence in academics, campus life, and student engagement. The Vice President and Director of Athletics will provide vision, leadership, and oversight for a comprehensive NCAA Division I athletics program while advancing the university’s mission and supporting institutional priorities. The successful candidate will be a forward-thinking leader who understands the evolving landscape of intercollegiate athletics and can identify creative opportunities to strengthen the department’s financial sustainability, competitive success, and campus engagement. The ideal candidate will possess strong business and financial acumen, an entrepreneurial mindset and a proven ability to fundraise and build partnerships. This leader will be a collaborative manager who can unite and inspire teams, foster a culture of accountability and inclusion, and effectively engage student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, donors, and campus partners. The next Vice President and Director of Athletics will champion academic achievement, personal growth, and competitive excellence while ensuring that student-athlete success remains at the center of all decision-making. They will work to enhance the student experience, strengthen community engagement, increase visibility for the university, and support enrollment and retention efforts. This position calls for a dynamic leader who embraces innovation, thrives in a resource-conscious environment, and understands the critical role athletics can play in advancing institutional goals. The successful candidate will be an exceptional communicator, a strategic relationship builder, and a visionary leader capable of creating momentum, inspiring others, and delivering results.

Requirements

The Vice President and Director of Athletics will foster high standards of integrity, athletic excellence, and academic success; attain engagement, donor, and sponsorship goals; lead and fiscally manage a competitive NCAA Division I athletic program; develop excellent relationships with both internal and external constituents; and direct and hire coaches who are committed not only to winning but to the student experience and to compliance with the rules. Reporting to the President of the university, the Vice President and Director of Athletics will provide leadership for the athletics program in line with the university’s mission, vision, core values, and fiscal goals. The incumbent will:  Lead athletic fundraising and engagement initiatives. Partner with relevant  university stakeholders to develop corporate partnerships and reach internal  goals for athletic sponsorships and gifts. Leverage alumni, fans, and students  to promote community engagement, increase game attendance, and  build donor networks.   Recruit, manage, and develop coaching staffs that field competitive teams,  attain the university’s student-athlete academic performance goals, and enable  an engaged, well-rounded student-athlete experience. Maintain an effective staff  capable of administering the athletics department’s operations. Maintain compliance with relevant governmental regulations and with university,  NCAA, and conference policies, rules, and regulations. Provide managerial oversight to the operations of the UPMC Events Center, the university’s basketball and volleyball arena, conference center,  and concert / event venue. Periodically review the effectiveness of the athletics organization. Adjust for performance expectations and seek opportunities to be more effective and  leverage university wide resources and talent