Background:

The University of Tulsa is home to about 3,961 students (2,929 undergraduates and 1,032 graduate/law students) near the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma and offers over 70 undergraduate programs and nearly 50 graduate programs. It is the highest-ranked private university in the state, and the alumni are the highest earners among all Oklahoma colleges. TU is home to more nationally competitive scholars than all other universities combined. TU operates as an independent, nondenominational university. A top-rated research institution, the university welcomes students from many faiths, dozens of countries and 45 states. The campus fosters a rich, diverse experience for students and faculty regardless of religious or cultural background through a strong belief in mutual respect and understanding.

With a population of 400,000, the City of Tulsa is a bustling center of commerce and industry that also enjoys a thriving arts community. Tulsa’s entertainment options include fine and performing arts, festivals, a water park, pro sports, biking and hiking trails, rivers and lakes. Whether it’s seeing a show at the Tulsa Theater, dancing at Cain’s Ballroom, attending the Oktoberfest Festival, or catching a Tulsa Drillers game, there is an abundance of things to do in the city of Tulsa. Tulsa is an affordable place to live, as the cost of living is consistently below the national average.

Tulsa's sports teams participate in NCAA Division I as a member of the American Athletic Conference (The American); its football team is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Tulsa has the smallest undergraduate enrollment of any FBS school. The university's nickname is the Golden Hurricane. Tulsa has won six national championships (three NCAA): four in women's golf and two in men's basketball. The University of Tulsa currently fields a varsity team in seven men's sports and ten women's sports.

University of Tulsa Mission Statement: We are a student-centered research university that cultivates interconnected learning experiences to explore complex ideas and create new knowledge in a spirit of free inquiry. Guided by our commitment to diversity, equity, and service, we prepare individuals to make meaningful contributions to our campus, our community, and our world.

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Contacting The University of Tulsa will only delay consideration of your qualifications.

Position Summary:

The University of Tulsa is seeking a high-energy, entrepreneurial, and innovative leader for the position of Vice President & Director of Athletics. The AD is responsible for the administration and direction of the total intercollegiate athletic program. This position requires someone with expertise in intercollegiate athletics management, a keen business sense, and an appreciation for the important role athletics plays as the front porch of the University. In consultation with the appropriate University administrators and key stakeholders, the AD is responsible for the formulation and implementation of all athletic policies, procedures, and programs; ensuring compliance with all federal, NCAA, American Athletic Conference and University athletics regulations, policies, and procedures; administering departmental funds and accounts in a fiscally responsible manner; and sustaining a culture of ethics, sportsmanship, and professionalism at all levels.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee supervision, management, leadership, and administration of the athletics department, including coaches, staff, and administrators, in a team-oriented work environment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

• Ensure an environment that promotes student-athlete health and welfare and a commitment to strong academic values.

• Showcase athletics as the forefront of the University which allows for the rest of the school to prosper as a result.

• Collaborate in the construction, management, and maintenance of the University's athletic facilities.

• Be the public face of the University's intercollegiate athletics program, working with all internal and external constituencies in furtherance of the department's contribution to the University's educational mission.

• Leverage external constituencies to identify and create new revenue growth opportunities for the University.

• Find new ways to reset and reinvigorate how the athletics department conducts and optimizes its business.

• Understand and implement marketing and promotion strategies to enhance the brand of Tulsa Athletics, promote a positive fan experience, and maximize and increase student and fan attendance for all athletics events.

• Possess a willingness to engage and establish relationships in the Tulsa community by speaking to civic groups, working with media, and interacting with spectators at-large on behalf of the University of Tulsa.

• Utilize technology and digital marketing to innovatively grow the University brand and all its initiatives.

• Serve on the president’s cabinet and partner with cabinet members on issues of strategic importance to the University.

Qualifications, Skills and Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in relevant field preferred.

• Ideally ten (10) years of progressively responsible management experience involving the administration of an intercollegiate athletics program.

• Innovative thinker who is intellectually curious and thoughtful about the future of college athletics

• Experience leading an athletic department with high academic performing student-athletes.

• Strategic leader who has the ability, and determination to collaborate across campus with constituents for the greater good of the University.

• Strong presence with the proven ability to mobilize others in an organized way to carry out a vision.

• Possesses the foresight of where we are today, but most importantly, where we are going tomorrow as it pertains to conference realignment, innovation, programming, and growth opportunities.

• Knowledge and a plan to navigate the ever-changing intercollegiate landscape, including but not limited to Name, Image & Likeness (NIL), Alston funds, the transfer portal, and proposed NCAA governance and Bylaw changes.

• Demonstrated record of achievement in revenue generation, marketing, and fundraising, as well as donor stewardship and athletic development activities

• Must possess supervision techniques, administrative budgeting and financial record keeping and control. 

• Demonstrated experience advancing all aspects of diversity and inclusion, assuring gender equity and full compliance with Title IX. 

• Ability to interact effectively with public constituencies, senior university leaders, faculty, staff, students, donors and other stakeholders, as well as brand marketing, public relations and media experience.  

• Demonstrated commitment to academic integrity and the academic progress and graduation of student athletes; a commitment to diversity in the recruitment, retention, and representation of coaches, staff and student athletes.  

• A strong work ethic; excellent listening skills; great attention to detail; the ability to make tough decisions, handle criticism, debate, and seek out feedback; strong negotiation skills.