Job Description:

Southeast Arkansas (SEARK) College will begin participating in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II athletics in the 2023-24 academic year. Reporting directly to the College’s President, this position will help launch a winning athletic program, supervise the coaches, oversee the development of team schedules, potential student-athlete recruitment, and the athletic facilities' operations. This position will serve as the Athletics Director and will be responsible for the coordination, administration, and supervision of the intercollegiate athletic program of the College. This includes hiring and training coaches, oversight of the athletics budget, and management of and scheduling events at athletic facilities. This position will also serve as the Dean of Students and will supervise the Office of Recruiting, Office of Admissions, Registrar’s Office, TRIO, and student/residential life activities. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with College leadership to develop strategic and operational goals that create and maintain an inclusive, welcoming campus environment; encourage a sense of community; and positively impact student satisfaction and persistence.
• Engage in consistent, transparent, and strategic communications with key student affairs constituencies, as well as build trust among key stakeholder groups with respect to the best practices, policies, and activities that guide contemporary student affairs and student life activities/functions.
• Know and be present to students; serve as an advocate for students; recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of students while educating the College community on the effectiveness of student affairs programming and services in addressing student needs, trends, and issues.
• Maintain the administrative, budgetary, and accountability functions of all departments within the division.
• Oversee the administration of the college's commencement ceremonies.
• Provide supervision, development, and evaluation of department members.
• Select, train, advise, motivate, and evaluate staff.
• Provide leadership and direction of the college's intercollegiate athletic programs with a broad emphasis on leadership and learning.
• Be a visible and accessible champion and advocate for the scholar-athlete experience. Work with senior leaders and serve on academic, department and college committees to enhance and sustain a culture of academic and competitive excellence leading to sustained scholar-athlete engagement with intercollegiate athletics.
• Encourage and promote a diverse and inclusive community among all students, faculty, and staff. Partner with the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Leadership to instill a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and a high degree of cultural competence and respect for a wide range of identities and experiences within the department.
• Coordinate and manage the recruitment of student-athletes. Oversee coaches' recruitment efforts.
• Maintain the institution's relationship with NJCAA and other sports conferences to ensure compliance with those organizations' procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Keep well informed of regulatory changes and ensure compliance with requirements by reviewing all relevant documents and determining impact of changes on programs.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Title IX compliance.
• Provide direction for comprehensive scheduling of all athletic facilities and the coordination of a master athletic calendar, in conjunction with the master college calendar.
• Report potential rule violations immediately.
• Serve as the primary media contact for all sports, and handles media relations duties (requests, interview schedules, etc.).
• Serve as manager or reviewer of all related content posted on every official athletic department medium (athletic website, social media, etc.).
• Exercise diplomacy, tact, and the ability to use good discretion with confidential student information.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in higher education, educational leadership, business, sports management, or a related field. A combination of credentials and experience may be substituted for the minimum requirements.
• Three years of supervisory experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and speaking with students, parents, faculty, staff, administration, and the public.
• Experience working with athletics programs under NJCAA governance and familiarity with NJCAA standards and regulations.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Five years of experience in university or college sports programs or a related field required
  • Three years of which must be in a leadership and supervisory capacity with specific professional contributions to the field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Substantial experience in developing and implementing athletics department budgets and a track record of success in working with all financial aspects and management of related athletics-related facilities and services.
• Title IX Level I and Level II Certifications.

Other job related education and/or experience may be substituted for all or part of these basic requirements upon approval of the Search Review Committee.

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Benefits: Southeast Arkansas College offers an excellent benefit package for full-time employees that includes: vacation, sick leave, retirement plans, health, dental and life insurance.

Application Deadline: This position is open until filled. Review of applications will begin immediately. Initial interviews will be scheduled for January 2023 and finalist interviews for February 2023. The expected hire date is March 2023.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: All candidates must apply online. Click Apply for Job to complete the online application. Interested candidates must also attach all their documents to the application before submitting. Paper documents will not be accepted.

Applicant Documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Unofficial College Transcripts (Please Note: Official transcripts are required before final appointment.)
• Three professional references with phone numbers