Senior Associate Athletic Director, Student-Athlete Development

Internal Number : JR00092633

The Senior Associate Athletic Director is responsible for overseeing the Pottruck Center for Student-Athlete Success, the Penn Athletics Wharton Leadership Academy (PAWLA), and mental health initiatives within Penn’s Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics (DRIA).

This role includes setting the vision and plan for all academic support services, assigning sports / schools to staff, serving as the academic services contact for select sports, and acting as the primary point of contact for all coaches, staff, faculty, and academic advisors.

The position also entails managing and supervising head coaches and staff, overseeing coaching contracts, team management, budgets, schedules, and fundraising efforts, and setting performance expectations.

In addition, the Senior Associate Athletic Director acts as the primary liaison to Penn Career Services, setting vision and goals for all life skills and professional development, and managing the relationship with Penn Champions Club around the alumni mentoring program for all 33 sports.

This role collaborates closely with a DEIB professional within DRIA to support the Quaker Forward Committee's efforts and assists in designing and implementing a plan for DEIB integration into PAWLA and CSAS.

The Senior Associate Athletic Director is responsible for collaborating with relevant staff in the development and execution of PAWLA programming, working with DRIA and Wharton staff to create a curriculum, designing ventures, and developing a common language for DRIA student-athletes, coaches, and staff.

They also serve as the strategic liaison to the Wharton School of Business / McNulty Leadership Program and act as the primary liaison to Penn Champions Club on fundraising efforts, overseeing PAWLA staff and budget.

Management responsibilities include supervising four FTE administrative staff members and five head coaches, conducting performance reviews, making hiring and merit decisions, and overseeing the submission, oversight, and management of CSAS, PAWLA, mental health, and intercollegiate program budgets.

As part of supervising the mental health professional, the Senior Associate Athletic Director creates a funding plan for potential expansion of staff to support mental health needs.

Academic Services - The Senior Associate Athletic Director sets the vision and plan for all academic support services, assigns sports / schools to staff, and serves as the academic services contact for select sports.

They set goals for and monitor APR, GSR, individual meetings, and individual school meetings. This role acts as the primary point of contact for all coaches, staff, faculty, and academic advisors.

Additionally, the Senior Associate Athletic Director is responsible for re-envisioning and enhancement of DRIA’s tutoring program and the creation and stewardship of a Faculty Committee in partnership with the Faculty Athletic Representative to advance the student experience for student-athletes.

Management and Sport Administration - The Senior Associate Athletic Director supervises four FTE administrative staff members (including a mental health professional) and five head coaches, overseeing all performance reviews, hiring, and merit decisions.

They manage the submission, oversight, and administration of budgets for CSAS, PAWLA, mental health, and intercollegiate programs.

In their capacity as the primary sport administrator for multiple varsity sports, the Senior Associate Athletic Director manages and supervises head coaches and staff, oversees coaching contracts, team management, budgets, schedules, fundraising efforts, and sets performance expectations for staff.

This comprehensive management and sport administration role ensures the smooth operation and success of Penn Athletics programs.

Penn Athletics Wharton Leadership Academy (PAWLA) - The Senior Associate Athletic Director collaborates with relevant staff in the development and execution of PAWLA programming.

They work with DRIA and Wharton staff to create a curriculum, design ventures, and develop a common language for DRIA student-athletes, coaches, and staff.

This role also serves as the strategic liaison to the Wharton School of Business / McNulty Leadership Program and acts as the primary liaison to Penn Champions Club on fundraising efforts.

Professional Development - The Senior Associate Athletic Director acts as the primary liaison to Penn Career Services, sets vision and goals for all life skills and professional development, and manages the relationship with Penn Champions Club around the alumni mentoring program for all 33 sports.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Belonging (DEIB) - The Senior Associate Athletic Director collaborates closely with a DEIB professional within DRIA to support the Quaker Forward Committee's efforts.

They assist in designing and implementing a plan for DEIB integration into PAWLA and CSAS.

A Master’s Degree or more, and 7 to 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Previous supervisory experience required.

Excellent oral and written communications skills.

Strong computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office and Excel.

Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required.