The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (UW-Eau Claire) Director of Intercollegiate Athletics search committee seeks a proven and visionary leader for the Blugold Athletics program. Reporting directly to the Chancellor, the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics serves as the primary face of a program that has a long history of success and leadership in Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), including eight national team championships in the past 10 years. UW-Eau Claire is a member of the competitive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). The director provides institutional leadership in collaborating with key stakeholders in the university (students, faculty and staff) and with alumni, the community, corporate partners and donors, to forge an ambitious vision for excellence in athletic and academic performance.

Blugold athletic coaches, teams and individuals have earned national and conference honors across an array of 25 teams (12 men; 13 women), engaging more than 900 student-athletes. The university is investing in its athletic facilities, with a new Sonnentag Event Center and Field House coming online in 2024 for the Blugold basketball teams, and refurbishment and expansion of the on-campus Simpson Field for track and field, soccer, lacrosse and football.

The director’s leadership and engagement is essential in developing and implementing a strategic direction and vision for the future to ensure continued success on the field of play, in the classroom and within the community.

Responsibilities

Athletics Administration

• Administer and supervise the UW-Eau Claire Athletics program, consistent with the university mission and guidelines of the WIAC conference and NCAA. Oversee compliance with NCAA Division III and conference rules.
• Develop and assess student athlete learning outcomes to continually improve program effectiveness, assuring a culture of academic excellence and athletic success. 
• Promote a competitive athletic atmosphere consistent with the NCAA Division III philosophy. 
• Develop and oversee the schedules for the Athletic program in consultation with institutional partners.
• Oversee the coordination of the employment of officials for athletic events. 
• Oversee recruitment and eligibility determination of athletes for all sports. 
• Oversee team travel requests and planning. 
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with student athletes, the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), faculty athletic representatives, University shared governance, administration, and division, and with faculty, staff, alumni and boosters. Represent the Athletics program on the chancellor’s extended cabinet, at UW System, state and national athletic organizations, and the regional community.
• Work closely with the chair of the Department of Kinesiology and the director of recreation and sport operations on issues related to joint appointments, programs and facilities. 
• Provide leadership in affirmative action initiatives for faculty, staff and students, as well as in Title IX compliance. 

Student Success

• Work closely with the Enrollment Management Division and with Integrated Marketing and Communications to meet annual recruitment goals.
• Foster Athletic programming that supports student success in the classroom. 
• Actively pursue strategies to enhance student retention, graduation and participation in high-impact learning experiences. 
• Foster effective mentorship programs with athletics staff to promote student athletic achievement, academic success and community engagement. 
• Provide leadership to foster a climate supportive of equity, diversity and inclusivity. 
• Ensure student-athlete wellbeing is a high priority. 

Personnel

• Actively recruit and retain personnel with a commitment to student-athlete success and to equity, diversity and inclusivity. 
• Supervise, evaluate and provide professional development for athletics program personnel. 
• Determine and administer employee work assignments such as coaching and non-instructional duties. 
• Maintain a healthy and positive employee climate and culture. 

Strategic Planning, Facilities and Resource Management 

• Collaboratively develop, oversee and evaluate short- and long-range strategic plans for the athletics program that align with the university’s strategic and   facilities plans. 
• Develop and monitor the athletics program budget in collaboration with the vice chancellor for finance and administration.
• Work with the university and UW System regarding athletic facilities maintenance, remodeling, and new construction that support the strategic goals of the university and the athletic program.       
• Serve as a liaison with the city of Eau Claire regarding shared facilities. 

Fund Raising/Public Relations

• Working with the UW-Eau Claire Foundation, Inc., to plan, grow and oversee fundraising and development activities for athletics. Activities may include  soliciting charitable gifts from alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations. 
• Adhere to Foundation and university policies and procedures related to gift acceptance and receipting, gift solicitation, prospect management, and stewardship. 
• Provide leadership and staff support for institutional campaign initiatives (private and corporate) related to athletics. 
• Develop and lead the department in carrying out an effective program for promoting and marketing athletics programs within the university and the region. Establish and work with booster clubs, and student, faculty and alumni support groups. Represent the university and the unit with the media and at corporate, civic and educational partners. 

Qualifications and Desired Characteristics

The successful candidate will be an experienced intercollegiate athletic administrator, with the vision, energy, and interpersonal and leadership skills needed to engage the university and its student-athletes in achieving ambitious goals. The successful candidate will have proven success in building and supporting championship teams, recruiting and retaining successful student-athletes, fund-raising for public and/or private universities or organizations, as well as strong communication and media relations skills. The Director of Intercollegiate Athletics should be skilled at hiring, motivating and developing staff and athletes. The director will have:

• Strong team-building and motivational abilities.
• A commitment to student development and retention.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of the NCAA and WIAC rules and guidelines and dedication to compliance. 
• A high degree of skill in relationship-building and development, including the ability to enhance revenue through collaborations with donors, alumni, corporations and other stakeholders.
• A passion for analytics and data-driven action.
• Experience budgeting for a complex organization and the ability to identify, diversify and expand revenue streams within a challenging public education environment.
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusivity demonstrated by leadership, active planning, allocation of resources, and accountability.
• An appreciation of UW-Eau Claire’s mission of excellence and inclusion.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Experience working with diverse populations. 
• Minimum of five years of senior level management experience in collegiate athletics including supervisory and fiscal oversight.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree (or equivalent) or terminal degree from an accredited institution.
• Experience leading championship teams.
• Experience managing complex initiatives, including developing and managing sports facilities and university-community collaborations.

The university and the Eau Claire community

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is a leader for academic excellence, undergraduate research and high-impact practices in the University of Wisconsin System. Consistently ranked among the top 10 public Midwestern universities, UW-Eau Claire is home to about 10,000 students, who are drawn to Wisconsin’s most beautiful campus. Innovation, collaboration, leadership, diversity and inclusion, and sustainable stewardship are core values at UW-Eau Claire.

UW-Eau Claire has approximately 1,400 faculty and staff, with a faculty/student ratio of 1:19. Groundbreaking community partnerships in manufacturing, business, health care and the cultural arts produce myriad opportunities for faculty scholarship/creative activities and student internships. About 90% of students participate in at least one high-impact practice such as student-faculty research. UWEC students undertake more than 100,000 hours of community service each academic year.

In 2024 the University will open the doors of the new donor-funded Sonnentag Event Center and Field House, a 170,500-square-foot home for Blugold men’s and women’s basketball teams, Athletic department offices and a 100-yard field house. Mayo Clinic Health System will have an attached sports medicine and imaging clinic. Recent athletic facilities upgrades also include Simpson Field, an artificial turf, on-campus stadium for Blugold track and field, soccer, football and lacrosse that will be able to hold more than 6,000 spectators when refurbishment is complete.

Eau Claire is western Wisconsin’s largest city, home to nearly 70,000 residents who live, work and play in the area situated at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers. The Eau Claire metropolitan area of approximately 173,000 people is 90 miles east of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Eau Claire is known for its beautiful parks and trails, small-town neighborhoods, excellent schools, vibrant arts scene, diverse local food culture, and abundant recreational opportunities. UW-Eau Claire’s campus is within walking distance of two popular shopping districts that feature coffee shops, art galleries and live music venues.

Application Procedures

The position is open until filled with an anticipated position offer date of mid-June 2023 or sooner. Applications received prior to Monday, May 8 will receive strongest consideration.

Applicants should submit a confidential letter of interest, resume, and contact information for three references in one PDF file to opportunity@MammothConsulted.com. The letter of application should address the core elements of the above-mentioned position description.

For questions, nominations, or inquiries contact Dr. Kurt Patberg, Vice President, Mammoth Sports Consulting at kurt.patberg@mammothconsulted.com.

Employment will require a background check. Employment will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding past conduct related to sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. §. 19.36(7).

The UW-Eau Claire Police Department is dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment for learning and working.  Although crime at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is limited, the University Police want students, faculty and staff to be aware of crime on campus and the area surrounding the campus.  The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose annual information about campus crime.  Visit Campus Security and Fire Report.  Also visit our Campus Security Authority policy 

UW-Eau Claire is an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disability employer dedicated to enhancing equity, diversity, and inclusion.