Employment Opportunity: Athletics Director (full-time, permanent, subject to a probationary period)

Established in 1789, the University of King's College is Canada's oldest chartered university and is associated with Dalhousie University. A small and extraordinarily lively academic community located in Halifax (Kjipuktuk), Nova Scotia, King's is known nationally and internationally for its highly acclaimed interdisciplinary programs in the humanities, including its renowned Foundation Year Program, its professional programs in journalism and its fine arts programs in creative writing. King's is a community where students, faculty, alumni, and staff work to bring greater understanding, creativity, and compassion to the world.

Overview

Reporting to the Chief Enrolment and Student Life Officer, the Athletics Director is a key leader responsible for the strategic direction, administration, and success of the university's athletic programs. This role ensures the alignment of athletics with the university's mission, values, and goals while fostering a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and student-athlete development. The Athletics Director also plays a vital role in the recruitment and retention of student-athletes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership and Strategic Planning

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan for the athletic department.
• Foster a culture of excellence, diversity, equity, and inclusion in all athletic activities.
• Represent the university at regional, national, and international athletic forums and organizations.

2. Program Oversight

• Oversee the management of all varsity and intramural sports programs.
• Lead in the development of nationally competitive programs in accordance with the President's mandate/ strategic plan.
• Enhance the profile of Varsity Athletics through communication reflective of the University of King's College values.
• Support and encourage community engagement and mentorship experiences for student athletes.
• Ensure compliance with university policies and applicable athletic regulations (e.g., ACAA/CCAA, provincial governing bodies).
• Hold ultimate internal and external responsibility for eligibility and rules compliance as per the ACAA, CCAA, and the university internal rules for student athletes. This involves regular monitoring of academic eligibility, academic monitoring through the Athletics Coordinator and Registrar's Office and general compliance checks through the ACAA Eligibility Chair and the ACAA Executive Director.
• Develop an internal process for proposing and hosting ACAA/CCAA championships.
• Ensure that all varsity programs are compliant with university, national and regional regulations and are offered in a safe environment.
• Promote academic success among student-athletes through collaboration with academic advisors and support services.
• Work with the Advancement Office to develop a five-year fundraising strategy.
• Lead a donor and sponsorship recognition program that supports the fund development strategy.
• Manages the Athletic Awards Process.

3. Financial and Resource Management

• Prepare, manage, and monitor the University of King's Athletic Department's budget in a manner that ensures the department operates within established financial parameters.
• Secure funding through partnerships, sponsorships, and alumni engagement.
• Oversee facility operations (gym, weight room, cardio room, and dance studio), upgrades, and maintenance.
• Ensure that the Athletics facility is safe for those participating in the University of King's College programs.

4. Staff Management

• Recruit, develop, and retain highly qualified coaching and administrative staff.
• Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities for staff members (two full-time employees); managing eight varsity coaches; overall responsibility for managing 30 part-time student employees.
• Support and enable a motivated coaching staff to advance their programs.
• Ensure departmental staff are aware of current university, conference and ACAA and CCAA policies and practices.
• Evaluate performance and ensure accountability across the department.

5. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with students, alumni, donors, and the broader community.
• Responsible for recruiting, coordinating, managing, and maintaining 150-170 student-athletes.
• Daily consultation with coaches, the Registrar's Office, and periodic contact with parents, coaches, and High School officials.
• Meets monthly with coaches to obtain the status of recruits, and annually to determine the status of returning student-athletes.
• Act as the primary spokesperson for the Athletics Department and serve as the university representative on regional and national sport bodies such as ACAA and CCAA; responsible for the development of regional and national policies through these associations that represent the best interest of the University of King's College and the student athletes it serves.
• Enhance the university's reputation by promoting athletic achievements and fostering community engagement.

6. Health, Safety, and Wellness

• Ensure the physical and mental well-being of student-athletes and staff.
• Oversee the implementation of programs that prioritize injury prevention, recovery, and mental health support.

The above accountabilities are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position described.

Qualifications

• Master's preferred, a bachelor's degree in sports management, education, business administration, or a related field.
• Significant experience in athletic administration, including leadership roles.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Canadian intercollegiate sports systems, including ACAA/CCAA and provincial regulations.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, fundraising, and resource allocation effectively.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Experience in coaching, athletic program development, or related areas is an asset.

Key Competencies

• Visionary leadership with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
• Strategic thinker with a track record of achieving long-term goals.
• Collaborative and community-oriented approach.
• Commitment to fostering academic and athletic excellence.
• Flexibility to travel, work evenings, and weekends.

Closing Date: February 20, 2025

Salary will be commensurate with level of education and experience. The starting salary range for this position is $97,758 - $112,817 (including a comprehensive benefits plan with enrolment in the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Pension Plan).

To apply for this position, please forward resume and cover letter to:

Pethrona Russell
Human Resources Manager
University of King's College
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2A1
[email protected]

We thank all applicants for their interest, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The University of King's College is committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. We encourage and welcome applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi'kmaq), persons with a disability, racialized persons, including persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), women, persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversification of our community.