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Athletic Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Athletic Director Reports To: President Department: Athletics Classification: Full-Time, 12-Month, Exempt, Benefits Eligible POSITION SUMMARY The Athletic Director provides visionary leadership and ...

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Athletic Director information

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$16.5K

$62.2K

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How much do athletic director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for athletic director in the United States is $62,246.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,500.00 and $77,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Athletic Directors?

Athletic Directors are professionals who manage and oversee sports programs at schools, colleges, or other organizations. They are responsible for hiring coaches, coordinating game schedules, budgeting, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Athletic Directors play a crucial role in promoting sportsmanship, student-athlete welfare, and program success. They often work closely with administrators, coaches, and the community to build strong athletic programs.

What are some common challenges Athletic Directors face when managing sports programs?

Athletic Directors often face challenges balancing limited budgets while ensuring all teams have the resources they need to succeed. They also navigate compliance with league and school regulations, coordinate scheduling for multiple sports, and manage the expectations of coaches, athletes, and parents. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential for problem-solving and maintaining a positive environment. Collaborating effectively with school administration and community stakeholders is also key to overcoming these challenges.

What Does an Athletic Director Do?

An athletic director is a school administrator who runs all aspects of the sports program for a school or institution. An athletic director provides strategic direction for the program and all of its coaches, athletes, and staff. Athletic directors manage the program budget and administer recruiting initiatives, staff scheduling, and benchmarks. The athletic director of a college or university also works with regulatory agencies, such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), to ensure compliance with policies and mandates.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Athletic Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Athletic Director, you need expertise in sports management, budgeting, and organizational leadership, often supported by a degree in sports administration or a related field. Familiarity with compliance systems, scheduling software, and certifications like CPR or First Aid are typically required. Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills help build relationships with coaches, athletes, and stakeholders. These abilities are crucial to effectively manage athletic programs, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster a positive sports environment.

What is the difference between Athletic Director vs Coach?

AspectAthletic DirectorCoach
Required CredentialsOften requires a bachelor's degree in sports management, physical education, or related field; coaching certifications may be preferredTypically requires coaching certifications, relevant experience, and sometimes a bachelor's degree in a related field
Work EnvironmentAdministrative setting overseeing multiple teams and staff at schools or sports organizationsOn-field or gym environment directly coaching athletes and teams
Employer & Industry UsageSchools, colleges, universities, sports clubsSchools, sports teams, athletic programs

The main difference between an Athletic Director and a Coach lies in their responsibilities. An Athletic Director manages the overall athletic programs, budgets, and staff, while a Coach focuses on training and developing athletes. Both roles require relevant certifications and experience, but their daily tasks and scope differ significantly.

What cities are hiring for Athletic Director jobs? Cities with the most Athletic Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Athletic jobs? The most popular types of Athletic jobs are:
What states have the most Athletic Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Athletic Director jobs include:
Infographic showing various Athletic Director job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 29% Full Time, 60% Part Time, 4% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,246 per year, or $29.9 per hour.
Athletic Director

Other

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

Position Title: Athletic Director

Department: Athletics

Position Summary:  Reporting directly to the President of the university, the Athletic Director (AD) provides visionary leadership, administrative direction, and operational oversight for all aspects of the intercollegiate athletics program. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, fiscal stewardship, hiring, development of qualified personnel, strategic planning, public relations, marketing, fundraising, and the daily management of athletic operations.

The Athletic Director ensures institutional compliance with all rules and regulations established by the NAIA, NCCAA, The Sun Conference, Warner University, and any other applicable governing bodies.

As a leader within a Christ-centered university, the Athletic Director is expected to actively affirm, model, and advance the mission, values, and biblical principles of Warner University through servant leadership, spiritual mentorship, and a commitment to holistic student-athlete development. The successful candidate is expected to display a commitment to Christian education, especially as it pertains to the relationship between athletics and faith. The chosen candidate must affirm and support the university’s Statement of Faith. Preference will be given to candidates who have some degree of experience in Christian education in an orthodox, evangelical context.

This position also maintains oversight and accountability for departmental budgets, graduate assistants, and student workers, fostering an environment of excellence, integrity, and biblically informed community. 

Responsibilities:

  • Provide leadership to ensure all athletic programs adhere to Warner University’s mission statement as well as the athletic department mission statement.

  • Provide leadership to ensure the highest standards of integrity in spiritual, academic, financial, and business matters.

  • Oversee the athletic department’s overall operation.

  • Act as the official representative of the university’s athletic department to any outside agency.

  • Ensure that the athletic department has a highly competent administrative, coaching, and support staff.

  • Create and maintain an environment where the student-athletes’ well-being is a top priority.

  • Prioritize academic eligibility, progress toward graduation, and the integration of student athletes into the campus community.

  • Ensure opportunities for community involvement, partnerships, and service initiatives.

  • Establish and coordinate department goals.

  • Coordinate team goals with each team’s Head Coach.

  • Monitor control of the department budget and approve all purchase orders, check requests and credit card reconciliations.

  • Oversee the Athletic Training staff and Strength and Conditioning staff.

  • Attend as many athletic events as possible.

  • Assist with the hiring and supervising of student workers.

  • Work closely with the Director of Athletic Communications and Director of Athletic Promotions & Ticketing to ensure positive publicity of the athletics department.

  • Supervise and schedule necessary staff meetings.

  • Coordinate efforts with the Warner University Athletic Hall of Fame.

  • Provide oversight for The Sun Conference, NAIA, and NCCAA Compliance.

  • Communicate regularly with The Sun Conference representatives, and all other governing bodies as applicable.

  • Represent the athletic department with appropriate university committees.

  • Provide professional growth opportunities for the athletic staff.

  • Provide strict oversight of annual roster goals, budget goals, and scholarship limits.

  • Perform other duties as assigned by the President of the University.

  • Refrain from the use of profanity, obscene gestures, and illegal drugs; be a positive role model on issues of language, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.

Qualifications:

  • Supportive of Warner’s mission, vision and core values, commitment to a Christian lifestyle, and demonstration of character in keeping with biblical instruction.

  • Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s Degree highly preferred.

  • A relevant level of experience in intercollegiate athletics.

  • Exceptional teamwork ability.

  • Strong motivational skills to assist coaches in reaching full potential.

  • Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills.

Procedure:

Candidates must submit the following:

  • a letter of interest

  • a curriculum vitae

  • a faith statement that contains both a personal testimony and a thoughtful response to each paragraph to the university’s official statement of faith (https://warner.edu/the-university/who-we-are/full-statement-of-faith/)

  • copies of all transcripts

  • the names, titles, and contact information for 3 to 5 professional references

Applications will not be reviewed unless all requested materials are submitted. Applications are being accepted and will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.

The starting date is June 1, 2026.