Athletic Director Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an athletic director. Feel free to use our athletic director job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an athletic director.
Who is an Athletic Director?
In the world of sports management, an athletic director is an administrative professional tasked with the responsibility of developing, managing, and maintaining sports and fitness programs at all levels of education. These professionals should be knowledgeable about athletics on a technical level, as well as possess management and leadership abilities.
Occasionally, an athletic director is referred to as an AD. ADs are college, high school, or private institution administrators who supervise and oversee athletic programs. They are in charge of the team’s budget, promotion, and scheduling. While an AD may collaborate with academic departments on campus, he or she rarely works directly with athletes. Rather than that, they serve as athletic directors, organizing transportation, supervising coaches, and indirectly guiding sports teams to success. They are responsible for hiring and terminating coaches and other athletic staff members in their organization.
Athletic directors frequently assist with fundraising events and supervise athletic personnel. They act as role models for student-athletes and offer guidance when necessary. They resolve administrative issues and collaborate closely with individual coaches to avoid scheduling conflicts involving shared equipment and workout rooms, as well as game days, practice days, and days off.
Additionally, athletic directors monitor school board policies, communicate with college or university athletic directors and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and work with conferences on scheduling and postseason games. Additionally, they supervise mediation between student-athletes and coaches and will assist in resolving conflicts that may arise. Additionally, athletic directors collaborate with school administrators or compliance officers to ensure that student-athletes remain academically eligible to participate in their chosen sport.
Athletic directors are critical for school officials, teams, and players because they act as a liaison with recruiters, leagues, and directors. They develop a successful athletic program while remaining focused, adaptable, and passionate in the face of daily challenges.
Although an athletic director is frequently employed by universities, colleges and even high schools may also employ one. An athletic director may work directly with the teams or may supervise the work of other coaches and trainers, depending on the size of the institution.
In terms of job duties, an athletic director who lacks direct control over the athletic program is essentially a manager. He ensures coaches adhere to institutional rules and regulations governing various competitions, but he is unable to alter the training method used by the official team coach. Additionally, an athletic director is prohibited from making team-related decisions under these circumstances, including hiring or firing players, imposing sanctions, or rearranging training schedules.
In small institutions, an athletic director and coach may coexist, although this is occasionally viewed as a conflict of interest. An athletic director is a position created in larger schools, particularly colleges, to manage a team of trainers in a variety of sports. Due to the position’s requirements, an athletic director is more likely to hold a business degree than a degree in sports.
A critical component of an athletic director’s job description is securing funding and equipment for the team. These can be as straightforward as new uniforms or as intricate as commercial endorsements. Additionally, an athletic director plans publicity, organizes game schedules, and communicates with athletic directors from other institutions in order to secure the best possible arrangements for their teams.
An athletic director works an average of forty hours per week, not including weekends when she attends games to supervise the running of the team and network with other administrators.
The majority of athletic directors implement athletic programs at the college or university level. Some high schools, on the other hand, may employ athletic directors for the same purpose. Athletic directors are classified as administrative employees.
Athletic directors also collaborate with teachers and other administrators who rely on the athletic director to ensure the success of sports programs. Athletic directors are accountable for faculty and staff hiring, as well as financial, legal, and other administrative issues affecting the team.
Athletic Director Job Description
Below are the athletic director job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an athletic director job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of an athletic director include the following:
- Providing direction and guidance for a school’s athletic program
- Preparing budgets and expenditure allocation for items such as coaches’ salaries, team travel, equipment purchases, and facility upkeep
- Coordinating coaches regarding game and practice schedules
- Collaborating on scheduling issues with conferences and leagues
- Speaking with league officials about a variety of topics, including postseason play.
- Calculating the amount of time allotted to a field, court, or weight room
- Organizing trips in collaboration with coaches and possibly a travel coordinator
- Organizing officials and umpires at games and allocating funds for their compensation
- Reporting on the status of each team, its accomplishments and shortcomings
- Resolving disputes between athletes and coaches or between coaches
- Managing athletic programs and the athletics department.
- Developing budget development strategies.
- Coordinating game, practice, and event schedules with coaches.
- Organizing and publicizing athletic events such as games and fundraisers.
- Hiring and firing coaches, as well as the evaluation and monitoring of current and prospective coaches.
- Monitoring and reporting on team progress via analysis of previous performances, recent successes, and areas for improvement.
- Keeping abreast of industry events and changes, such as changes in regulatory requirements.
- Cleaning, sanitizing and maintaining facilities and equipment.
- Approving necessary equipment purchases and facility upgrades.
- Providing direction for sports programming.
- Consulting coaches to establish schedules for games, events, and practices.
- Collaborating with coaches to make travel arrangements.
- Establishing schedules for conferences and leagues
- Selecting, recruiting, and supervising coaching personnel.
- Collaborating with league officials to develop a postseason strategy.
- Keeping your facilities and equipment in order, clean, and safe.
- Generating and filing team statistics.
- Adhering to the rules of your school, the NCAA, and other associations.
- Consulting with school administrators regarding a student’s eligibility.
- Creating and managing the budget for equipment, facilities, salaries, referees/umpires, and other expenses.
Qualifications
The requirements for becoming an athletic director vary by school. Additionally, the level at which the school’s sports teams compete can have an effect on the requirements. For example, major universities typically require a higher level of education and experience than a small college. Several of the requirements may include the following:
Bachelor’s degree e
Athletic directors may hold a bachelor’s degree in a sports-related discipline, such as athletic coaching or athletic training, or a degree in athletic administration, sports management, or a closely related field. Students can earn a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree, and many of these programs include an internship component. Sports-related degrees frequently include courses in the following areas:
- Sports facility design
- Management of sports facilities
- Finance
Master’s Degree
Many aspiring athletic directors earn a master’s degree in sports management or a field closely related to sports management. Certain colleges, particularly those with large athletic programs at major universities, may even require a master’s degree to qualify for the position. Typically, a master’s degree program includes courses in the following areas:
- Sport organizational management
- Sports economics research methods
National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) Certification
While certification is not always necessary for athletic director positions, it can help you stand out as a candidate. The NIAAA certifies individuals in a variety of ways, including the entry-level Registered Athletic Administrator credential and the more advanced Certified Athletic Administrator credential.
Experience
Having experience as an athletic director can help you land a job. Conducting an internship or volunteering as an athletic director’s assistant enables you to gain experience prior to seeking employment. You’ll gain valuable hands-on experience and network with industry professionals. Additionally, you’ll have to strengthen your communication, analytical reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
You’re almost certainly going to begin as an assistant athletic director. You may work with one or more assistant and athletic directors, depending on the size and reputation of the school. Additionally, your salary will be determined by your experience and reputation as a school administrator. In other words, if you are the director of a national championship high school or an NCAA championship college, your marketability will significantly improve.
Essential Skills
- Confidence and Delegation
Athletic directors must be confident in their ability to guide and motivate coaches, athletic staff, and athletes. Additionally, they must be capable of effectively delegating tasks to other team members.
- Interpersonal skills
Athletic directors must develop strong working relationships with coaches, athletic department staff, other administrators, and even administrators at other colleges and universities.
- Organizational skills
Athletic directors must possess strong organizational skills in order to manage daily responsibilities such as scheduling, budget preparation, promotion, and staff management.
- Communication skills
Athletic directors must be able to communicate effectively with athletic department staff and other administrators. Athletic directors must also be able to envision the athletic program’s long-term future and then communicate that vision to administrators, students, donors, and the general public.
- Problem Solving Skills
Ability to resolve conflicts between staff or athletes and coaches: An athletic director’s role includes resolving conflicts between staff or athletes and coaches. They must be able to maintain their composure and think creatively in the face of adversity.
- Computing
Athletic directors must be able to manage departmental records and create financial budgets using computers.
How to Become an Athletic Director
- Get sports knowledge
Athletics education can begin as early as high school. Some students will continue to participate in sports throughout high school and college in order to gain a thorough understanding of the sports they enjoy. Along with an in-depth knowledge of athletics, athletic directors should be prepared to deal with accounting, finance, and legal issues. This requires specialized skill development, which can take years if the appropriate training and educational opportunities are pursued.
- Complete a bachelor’s degree
Choose a bachelor’s degree program in sports management, physical education, or exercise sciences. Numerous programs are available, including hybrid degrees in sports business that combine exercise science with a business minor. The program you choose will dictate the skills you begin to develop, so make an informed choice. Examine local colleges and universities, as well as online education options, and choose a program that makes the most sense for developing the skills you most need.
Choosing a sports management degree may prepare you for a career in education or coaching. These careers provide invaluable experience for athletic directors seeking to hone their leadership abilities.
- Pursue a master’s degree
After earning a bachelor’s degree, you’ll almost always need a master’s degree to pursue a career in athletic administration. You can earn the degree part-time while working a full-time job in sports management or exercise science, or full-time while pursuing the degree full-time. Bear in mind, however, that you’ll eventually need work experience, and that doubling up on school and work experience may be worth the effort if it means saving time on your career path.
Typically, master’s programs include a practicum component. Students pursuing a master’s degree in sports management may gain professional experience through intensive workshops, internships, or externships.
- Acquire certification and experience
Individuals interested in pursuing positions as athletic directors can earn one of the following certifications:
- Certified Athletic director
- Certified athletic administrator
- A certified master athletic administrator
The most straightforward of the three requires a bachelor’s degree, sponsorship, and an agreement to abide by the code of ethics. These are the minimum requirements for registration.
After two years as an athletic director, a Certified Athletic Administrator must successfully complete coursework provided by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. The highest honor, Certified Master Athletic Administrator, requires additional coursework and successful completion of a written examination.
Where to Work as an Athletic Director
They work in educational institutions, including high schools, colleges, and other higher institutions.
Athletic directors are typically full-time employees. Most of them work a lot of hours during the week although some may work fewer hours during the summer months when fewer students are in school and there are no athletic programs. They frequently sit at a desk for extended periods of time working on a computer. Additionally, they are likely to spend a portion of their day at the school’s athletic facilities. Due to the fact that they split their time between administrative tasks and fieldwork managing facilities, their daily environment varies.
Athletic directors may work long hours and spend evenings and weekends attending sport programs or traveling to and from events because they are required to be present at sporting events. Athletic directors are typically expected to be on call in the event of an athletic department emergency.
Athletic Director Salary Scale
In the United States, the national average salary for an Athletics Director is $72,388 per year.