Operations Graduate Assistant Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Morningside University seeks an energetic, organized, and service-oriented graduate student to serve as the Graduate Assistant for Athletic Operations.

This position plays a vital role in the successful execution of game-day operations and athletic events across Morningside Universitys 28 varsity sports. The Graduate Assistant is responsible for coordinating event preparation, ensuring facilities are competition-ready, leading undergraduate student employees and designated game-day personnel, supporting coaches and visiting teams, and delivering a first-class competitive experience for student-athletes, officials, and fans.

This position is designed as a leadership development opportunity for an aspiring collegiate athletics administrator and serves as the primary coordinator for game operations and event execution under the supervision of the Associate Athletic Director for Operations & Student-Athlete Success.

This is a hands-on leadership position designed for an emerging athletics professional seeking practical experience in collegiate athletics administration. The Graduate Assistant works alongside coaches, campus partners, and student employees while developing the organizational, communication, leadership, operational, and game management skills essential for a successful career in intercollegiate athletics.

MORNINGSIDES MISSION

The Morningside University experience cultivates a passion for lifelong learning and a dedication to ethical leadership and civic responsibility.

Athletics is an important expression of that mission. We believe intercollegiate athletics develops discipline, resilience, teamwork, accountability, and leadership while preparing student-athletes for lives of purpose beyond competition.

Our athletics staff are educators, mentors, and servant leaders. We seek individuals who embrace Morningsides Christian mission and are committed to creating an environment where student-athletes are challenged to excel academically, athletically, personally, and spiritually.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Game-Day and Event Operations

• Coordinate operational preparation for assigned home athletic contests, tournaments, and special events.
• Ensure all competition venues are prepared, organized, and competition-ready prior to each event.
• Coordinate venue setup, equipment placement, signage, scorers tables, hospitality areas, officials spaces, locker rooms, and all other operational needs.
• Conduct pre-event facility inspections and identify operational, maintenance, or safety concerns requiring attention.
• Serve as the primary game-day operations coordinator for assigned events, providing on-site leadership and resolving routine operational issues.
• Coordinate all non-statistical game administration functions to ensure athletic contests operate efficiently, professionally, and in accordance with University and conference expectations.
• Assist with the coordination and operation of game presentation technology, including public address, music, scoreboard systems, video boards, replay technology, timing systems, and other event presentation equipment as assigned.
• Assist with post-event breakdown, facility reset, equipment storage, and event documentation.
• Support conference championships, postseason competition, and special athletic events hosted by the University.

Student Event Staff Leadership

• Recruit, schedule, train, supervise, and mentor undergraduate student employees and designated game-day personnel supporting athletic operations in partnership with the Associate Athletic Director.
• Coordinate game-day staffing assignments, including public address announcers, scoreboard operators, music operators, video board operators, replay technology operators, ticketing personnel, hospitality staff, ball crews, event runners, and other operational positions as assigned.
• Develop comprehensive staffing schedules to ensure all game-day operational positions are appropriately covered for each home athletic contest.
• Conduct pre-event meetings to communicate assignments, reporting times, operational procedures, customer service expectations, and contingency plans.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and direction to game-day personnel before, during, and after athletic contests.
• Monitor performance, attendance, professionalism, and customer service provided by student employees and event personnel.
• Foster a positive work environment that emphasizes teamwork, accountability, professionalism, and service.
• Assist in developing undergraduate student employees interested in careers in athletics administration and event management.

Facility Readiness and Operations

• Assist in maintaining athletic venues, competition equipment, and operational spaces in a clean, organized, and competition-ready condition.
• Coordinate event setup requests with Facilities Management and other campus departments as directed.
• Monitor athletic venues before, during, and after events and communicate operational concerns promptly.
• Assist with facility scheduling, venue preparation, and event transitions as assigned.
• Maintain operational equipment and report maintenance or replacement needs.

Game Presentation & Fan Experience

• Coordinate and execute game presentation elements for designated home athletic contests, creating an engaging and championship-caliber experience for student-athletes, coaches, officials, and fans.
• Operate and oversee the Universitys Luxido game presentation system and related technologies for volleyball, mens basketball, womens basketball, mens volleyball, and other designated indoor athletic events.
• Coordinate game presentation personnel, including public address announcers, music operators, scoreboard operators, video board operators, replay technology operators, timing systems, and other event presentation staff.
• Ensure game presentation equipment, Luxido programming, video boards, replay technology, and related systems are tested, operational, and event-ready prior to each contest.
• Collaborate with Athletics Communications, marketing, coaches, and event personnel to deliver a coordinated game presentation that reflects the championship tradition and brand of Morningside Athletics.
• Continuously evaluate and enhance the in-game entertainment experience through music, video, lighting, fan engagement, promotions, and emerging presentation technologies while maintaining a professional and student-athlete-centered atmosphere.

Event Experience

• Welcome and assist visiting teams, officials, game personnel, and event guests.
• Support coaches by ensuring operational needs are addressed in a timely and professional manner.
• Help create an organized, hospitable, and championship-caliber environment for every athletic contest.
• Respond professionally to routine operational questions while escalating significant issues to the Associate Athletic Director.
• Represent Morningside Athletics with professionalism, courtesy, and exceptional customer service.

Administrative Support

• Maintain event schedules, operational checklists, facility calendars, and game-day documentation.
• Assist with event communications, operational manuals, and department records.
• Support special events, youth camps, clinics, and community engagement activities.
• Participate in departmental meetings and professional development opportunities.
• Perform other responsibilities consistent with the educational purpose of the graduate assistantship as assigned by the Associate Athletic Director.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree from an accredited institution.
• Admission to and continued enrollment in an approved Morningside University graduate program.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated initiative, reliability, and attention to detail.
• Willingness to perform hands-on operational work in support of athletic events.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and other hours required by the athletics competition schedule.
• Ability to support and contribute to the Christian mission and values of Morningside University.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous experience in collegiate athletics, event management, recreation, or sports administration.
• Experience supervising or coordinating student employees, volunteers, or event staff.
• Familiarity with athletic event operations, facility management, game presentation, or game administration.
• Experience operating or coordinating scoreboard systems, public address, Luxido game presentation technology, replay technology, or video board systems is preferred.
• CPR, AED, or First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain certification.

LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES

The successful candidate will be:

• Service-oriented and committed to creating an exceptional student-athlete experience.
• Organized, dependable, and attentive to detail.
• Calm and resourceful under pressure.
• Comfortable leading undergraduate student employees while working collaboratively with coaches and staff.
• Professional, approachable, and relationship-driven.
• Committed to learning every aspect of collegiate athletic operations.
• Motivated by continuous improvement and personal growth.
• Aligned with the mission, values, and culture of Morningside University.

• Demonstrated growth in leadership, judgment, communication, and collegiate athletics administration.

Morningside Athletics is built on a tradition of excellence, servant leadership, and a commitment to developing the whole student-athlete.

As the Graduate Assistant for Athletic Operations, you will gain meaningful leadership experience within one of the NAIAs premier athletics departments while working alongside accomplished coaches and administrators committed to mentoring the next generation of athletics professionals.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to develop the operational, organizational, leadership, game management, and event presentation skills that prepare emerging professionals for successful careers in collegiate athletics administration.

Review of applications for the position will begin immediately and will continue until filled. Successful completion of criminal background verification is required. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, religion, creed, race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, national origin, or other characteristics protected by state and federal law. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact the Associate Vice President for Human Resources at welp@morningside.edu.

Please submit a cover letter, resume and 3 references to:  employment@morningside.edu