Job Description:Reporting directly to the Vice President for Student Life, the Director serves as the chief administrative and executive officer for RWU's 25 varsity athletics programs, club sports, intramurals, and campus recreation facilities. The Director champions a "student-athlete first" NCAA Division III philosophy, cultivating an environment centered on academic achievement, personal well-being, leadership development, competitive excellence, and inclusive community engagement. The next Director will be an approachable, ethical, visible, and collaborative leader who integrates athletics and recreation into the broader fabric of university life. Working in close partnership with institutional leadership, University Advancement, Enrollment Management, and Student Life, the Director will expand philanthropic engagement, champion modern compliance and safety standards, modernize athletic and recreation facilities, and elevate school spirit across the university's coastal Bristol and vibrant downtown Providence campuses.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR THE DIRECTOR - The incoming Director will enter Roger Williams University at an opportune moment of institutional momentum and will be expected to champion three overarching strategic priorities:
- Navigate the Evolving Division III & NIL Landscape: Establish progressive operational models that uphold rigorous academic integrity, Title IX equity, and athletic competitiveness amid modern NCAA governance and Name, Image, and Likeness developments.
- Philanthropic Expansion & Facility Modernization: In partnership with University Advancement, execute donor engagement initiatives and capital project strategies to enhance athletic training spaces, student-athlete performance hubs, and recreation facilities.
- Elevate Campus Spirit & Holistic Student Well-Being: Broaden intramural, club, and fitness engagement across all student demographics, transforming athletic events into unified community gatherings.
KEY OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Leadership, Advancement & Culture- Budget Administration: Direct varsity athletic, club sports, intramural, and recreation budgets within university policy; lead regular reviews with University Finance.
- Fundraising & Resource Development: Partner closely with Institutional Advancement to execute fundraising strategies that elevate student-athlete success and fund facility modernizations.
- Athletic Communications & Branding: Elevate the department's profile through contemporary storytelling, social platforms, and brand alignment.
- Recreation & Wellness Programming: Enhance recreation, intramural, and club sport operations to cultivate student belonging and wellness.
- Spectator & Game-Day Spirit: Transform home competitions into vibrant, community-wide campus events.
Governance, Safety & Compliance- Modern Compliance Integrity: Maintain a modern compliance program encompassing NCAA, Title IX, Hazing, eligibility, NIL policies, and monitoring systems that prioritize education, equity, community standards and a safe sport culture.
- Conference Governance: Actively participate in NCAA, Conference of New England, Interscholastic Sailing Association and other conference affiliations.
- Recruitment & Enrollment Alignment: Partner with Admissions to attract scholar-athletes dedicated to academic and competitive excellence.
- Capital Planning & Facilities: Plan, recommend, and coordinate state-of-the-art facility modernizations and maintenance protocols.
- Risk Management & Safety: Oversee team travel safety, sports medicine coordination, emergency response, and fan event safety.
- Personnel Supervision: Direct the ethical mentorship, professional development, and formal evaluation of head coaches and administrative personnel.
- Actively participate in Student Life divisional meetings, initiatives, and strategic planning.
Roger Williams University - Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation Leadership Profile Requirements:Education: Master's Degree in Physical Education, Athletic Administration, Sports Management, or related field required.
Administrative Experience: 8-10 years of substantial athletic leadership experience, including at least 5 years in higher education athletic management.
Broad Program Competency: Demonstrated expertise in coaching and administrative oversight across varsity, club, and recreation programs.
Regulatory Acumen: Strong expertise in Title IX compliance, tort liability procedures, NCAA DIII bylaws, and emerging NIL guidelines.
Core Leadership Skills: Strong communication, organizational, leadership, and decision-making skills.
Preferred QualificationsExecutive Experience: Experience as an Athletics Director or senior Division III athletics administrator.
Strategic Management: Strategic planning, facilities management, conference governance, and customer service oriented leadership.
Mentorship & Culture: Proven track record of evaluating, mentoring, and developing head coaches and support personnel.
Resource Generation: Demonstrated acumen in major gift athletics fundraising and corporate sponsorship cultivation.
Safety & Wellness: Comprehensive understanding of sports medicine coordination and student-athlete health protocols.
At the University's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be accepted where the candidate can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the University, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.
Additional Information:Application Instructions:The position will remain open until filled; but, for best consideration, candidate applications should be submitted by
November 2, 2026. Inquiries, nominations, and candidate materials will be held in strict confidence. Applicants should submit:
- A comprehensive letter of interest addressing the responsibilities and qualifications described in this profile.
- A complete curriculum vitae / resume.
- Contact details for three (3) professional references (references will not be contacted without prior candidate consent).
