Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations, UM Athletics

University of Montana / Helena College / University of Monta

$80K — $95K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years in facilities management or related field with leadership experience
  • Strong understanding of complex event operations or fast learner in Division I athletics
  • Financial management experience, including budget and capital planning
  • Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills in high-pressure settings
  • Proven track record in collaborative partnerships across diverse stakeholders
  • Critical thinking and decision-making skills, especially in emergencies
  • Commitment to student-athlete welfare and service excellence
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and event management software

Responsibilities

  • Direct daily operations and long-term planning of athletics venues
  • Lead capital improvement and renovation projects
  • Oversee game-day and event operational logistics
  • Develop operational and capital budgets, focusing on efficiency
  • Ensure compliance with NCAA and safety regulations
  • Lead risk management and emergency preparedness efforts
  • Serve as liaison with campus and community partners
  • Support NCAA championship hosting and operational planning

Benefits

  • Comprehensive insurance package
  • Mandatory retirement plan
  • Partial tuition waiver
  • Wellness program
Full Job Description
Location : Missoula Mountain Campus
Job Type: UM Campus Only
Job Number:
Department: Athletics, University of Montana
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
Closing Date: 8/18/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Exempt

Description
Campus-Only Recruitment

Only current UM Employees* are eligible.

*Open to all employee types including Temporary Staff and Student Employees.

Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations

Current University of Montana employees are encouraged to apply for the leadership opportunity of Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations. This leadership opportunity is responsible for guiding the planning, management, and continuous improvement of athletics facilities, event operations, capital projects, and operational services that support Grizzly Athletics. Reporting to the Director of Athletics, the Associate Athletic Director works collaboratively with coaches, staff, campus partners, and external stakeholders to ensure athletics facilities and events operate safely, efficiently, and at a championship level.

This position offers the opportunity to build on existing leadership experience while helping shape the future of Grizzly Athletics through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to exceptional service for student-athletes, coaches, fans, and the campus community. The Associate Athletic Director leads a diverse team of approximately eight (8) to ten (10) full-time employees, along with part-time and student employees. You will play a key role in developing staff, strengthening operations, and supporting the success of student-athletes, coaches, and the campus community.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative leader who enjoys solving complex challenges, building strong relationships, and continuously improving operations to enhance both the student-athlete and fan experience.

Athletic Department employees and those University employees outside the Athletic Department with NCAA rules compliance responsibilities are subject at all times to NCAA Bylaws 10.1 and 11.1 regarding ethical conduct and the responsibility to positively contribute to a campus culture of NCAA rules compliance. Failure to conduct oneself as such will result in disciplinary or corrective action up to and including immediate discharge.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

  • Direct the daily operation, maintenance, scheduling, and long-term planning of athletics venues, practice facilities, offices, and support spaces
  • Lead capital improvement projects, facility renovations, deferred maintenance initiatives, and long-range facility planning in collaboration with campus partners and external contractors
  • Oversee game-day and special event operations, including staffing, security, logistics, parking, credentialing, broadcast coordination, and fan experience
  • Develop and administer operational and capital budgets while identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency and service delivery
  • Ensure compliance with NCAA, conference, University, ADA, OSHA, and other applicable regulations governing facilities, operations, and event management
  • Lead risk management and emergency preparedness efforts by coordinating with campus and community partners to promote safe environments for student-athletes, employees, and visitors
  • Serve as the primary operational liaison with campus departments, conference offices, municipal agencies, contractors, and other external partners
  • Support NCAA and conference championship hosting, postseason events, and compliance reviews through effective operational planning and execution
  • Evaluate facilities, events, and operational processes to identify opportunities for innovation, continuous improvement, and exceptional customer service
  • Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Athletics Department's mission

Minimum Qualifications

  • Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in facilities management, operations, event management, project management, or a closely related field, including experience leading people, projects, budgets, or complex operations
  • Demonstrated understanding of complex facilities or event operations, or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge of Division I athletics operations and event management
  • Ability to learn and apply NCAA legislation, conference policies, and championship hosting requirements
  • Demonstrated financial management experience, including budget development, fiscal oversight, or capital planning
  • Demonstrated leadership, project management, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to build collaborative partnerships across campus and with external constituents
  • Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to respond effectively in high-pressure or emergency situations
  • Commitment to student-athlete welfare and customer service excellence
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn facility scheduling, work order, and event management software

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience overseeing capital construction or major facility renovation projects
  • Certification in CPR, AED, and First Aid

Additional Information
Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, MUS Contract and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Application Deadline: Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

Screening applications will begin after the closing date

A complete application includes:
  • Letter of Interest - addressing the stated required skills for the position
  • Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
  • Professional references will be requested at the time of interview selection

01

Are you a current UM Employee?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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