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Position Specification and Candidate Profile
Institution
Louisiana State University
Position
Director of Athletics
Reports To
Chancellor of the University
Basic Function
The Director of Athletics is responsible for the administration and direction of the total intercollegiate
athletic program, which has a current annual budget of approximately $70 million, 20 intercollegiate
teams in NCAA Division I, comprising more than 400 student-athletes and utilizing multi-million dollar
physical facilities. This position requires significant senior-level administrative experience, preferably
in intercollegiate-athletics management, sports management, sports administration or a closely allied
field (for example, sports-related media development); a strong commitment to achievement at the
highest level of amateur athletics while adhering to rigorous standards of ethics and integrity, including
the rules, regulations and requirements of the NCAA and the SEC; a commitment to academic
excellence and the emotional and physical well-being of student-athletes; an understanding of and
commitment to gender equity and diversity; and business acumen in all aspects of the athletic enterprise
including strategic planning, capital-facilities planning and finance, recruitment and supervision of
coaches and other athletic-department personnel, fundraising and development of new sources of
revenue, including the ever increasing role of media and new-media relations and contracts.
Desired Attributes and Characteristics
The Director of Athletics is expected to demonstrate that he or she is able to operate successful NCAA
Division I programs in a major-research-university setting. He or she must possess a commitment to a
program of academic and competitive success and must be concerned about student-athletes and their
development so that they are productive members of their communities upon graduation. Further, the
leader of the university’s athletic enterprise must be willing to hold himself or herself and coaches and
staff responsible for competition in both the athletic and academic arenas, while supporting and
promoting a positive culture of compliance adherence.
The person who holds this position will act as the representative of and spokesperson for the university
in many settings and must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills. A candidate would
be expected to demonstrate the ability to work with colleagues in the university’s administration and in
the athletic department itself, as well as with diverse populations of students, faculty, staff, alumni, fans
and the general public. He or she must exercise good judgment in hiring personnel and demonstrate the
ability to bring together a team of highly professional and successful coaches and staff. In short,
qualified candidates will possess the following knowledge and skills:
- Leadership including exemplary personal integrity, effective recruiting and management of
personnel, team-building, sportsmanship, compliance adherence, and a commitment to
excellence.
- Creativity in design, planning, problem solving and strategizing in a rapidly changing
environment. He or she must use innovative thinking and inspire staff to develop strategies to
ensure that each and every intercollegiate sport becomes or remains competitive with its SEC
opponents in all relevant respects, including recruiting, facilities and marketing/promotions.
- Effective communication skills to teach, explain, persuade and inspire.
- Interpersonal skills including collaboration, empathy, respect and appreciation of gender equity
and diversity, and concern for student-athlete well-being.
- Management skills including strategic planning and the ability to effectively and efficiently make
tactical and operational decisions in execution of strategy.
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