Director of Athletics

Director of Athletics

The Director of Athletics will work with the President and other leaders, to support the mission and goals of Whittier College. She/he will develop and promote a vision for athletics at Whittier that advances the learning and personal development of student athletes in the classroom, in competition and training, and in the community. The Director will foster strong partnerships across the entire Poet community to include faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, parents, and community partners.  Further, she/he will integrate the athletics program effectively into the overall student experience.

The College

Whittier College is a residential four-year institution of the liberal arts and sciences that prepares students from diverse backgrounds to excel in a complex global society. Through challenging, interactive courses, taught by accomplished professors, students learn to make connections across disciplines, understand cultural perspectives, and integrate learning with practical application. Inspired by a Quaker heritage, the Whittier education equips students to be active citizens and effective communicators who embrace diversity and act with integrity.

Led by President Linda Oubré, Whittier College is one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country, offering 31 majors in 23 disciplines and serving students not only of different ethnic and geographic backgrounds, but also of a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Both the Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report 2018 feature Whittier in its “Best Liberal Arts Colleges” listings, and U.S. News & World Report 2018 ranks Whittier among the top 10 liberal arts colleges for “Ethnic Diversity.” In addition, Whittier ranks among the top schools in graduating students who earn PhDs in the life sciences. Whittier is distinguished by its small size and its innovative faculty who are dedicated to student success– more than 40% of the faculty are members of underrepresented ethnic groups or hail from foreign countries.

In the 2018-19 academic year, Whittier enrolled just over 1,700 undergraduate students, representing a broad spectrum of backgrounds in the student body: over 69% are ethnic minorities; 50% are Hispanic; 42% are men and 58% are women and approximately 30% of Whittier’s students play on one or more intercollegiate teams. Regardless of department or program, Whittier offers its students the opportunity to work in an intimate and collaborative learning environment where new and renovated classroom, laboratory, library, and student-activities spaces enhance the impact of Whittier’s student-to-faculty ratio, which remains 12:1. Whittier’s students come from 35 states and from 27 countries, about two in five Whittier undergraduates is the first member of her or his family to attend college, and over 35% earn Pell awards. The College has about 16,000 addressable alumni and notable Whittier graduates including President Richard M. Nixon '34 and author Jessamyn West '23. In fiscal year 2017-18, the College’s main campus had an operating budget of $62 million. Whittier’s endowment is nearly $117M.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Director of Athletics will:

  • Lead all athletics-related activities at the College, including the oversight of the College's 22 varsity sports; recruitment of prospective student-athletes; planning, organizing, and managing Athletics Department staff; and adherence to College, SCIAC, and NCAA Division III rules, regulations, and processes.
  • Lead the development of a Strategic Plan and vision for the Athletics Department that is consistent with the Strategic Plan and mission of the College, with particular emphasis on the needs of Whittier College student-athletes, their academic success and the sound, sustainable fiscal management of the Department.
  • Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Student Life and Athletics Department staff to promote academic success, retention, and graduation for all student athletes.
  • Promote student-athletes’ broader personal development and full participation in all aspects of College life.Develop student-athletes as they matriculate at Whittier and beyond into their subsequent lives and careers.
  • Make recommendations to the President regarding the employment of coaches and other Athletics Department staff. Hire, lead, develop, and evaluate coaches, staff, support staff and student employees.Create an environment that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion as core principles. Model diversity and inclusion in planning, decision making, and hiring of coaches and department staff.Appreciate the unique mix of coaching, teaching, and student-development responsibilities of coaches, and provide the support, mentoring, and institutional environment needed to attract, develop, inspire and retain a diverse and successful group of coaches and staff.
  • Develop, monitor and administer annual budgets for all facilities, NCAA athletic teams, club sports, intramurals and camp programs. Develop and manage effective fiscal operations, policies, and procedures consistent with College guidelines. Identify and leverage opportunities for cost savings and efficiencies.
  • Establish policies and procedures for all athletic facility use. Develop and enforce safety and health regulations with respect to daily facilities usage, practice schedules, athletic events and all aspects of property owned and maintained by the College. Oversee construction and improvements of athletic and fitness facilities as needed in a fiscally responsible way. Advance student health and wellness, and oversee procurement of equipment, services and supplies to maintain a high level of quality of the Athletics program within budget requirements.
  • Work closely with the College’s Advancement Office and other campus units to support fundraising and the College and Athletics.
  • Identify and pursue entrepreneurial opportunities to leverage the Department’s resources to establish new revenue streams and empower each athletic program’s pursuit of its aspirations.
  • Observe and maintain the highest degree of ethical standards and integrity at all times and ensure complete compliance with all intercollegiate standards and regulations as prescribed by the SCIAC, the NCAA and Title IX requirements. Monitor and assure student-athlete eligibility, maintain documentation, work with and prepare reports as necessary for the NCAA and the SCIAC to maintain the College’s good standing.
  • Serve as the principal Athletics Department spokesperson and ‘ambassador’.Work directly with, Advancement, Athletics support groups such as Purple and Gold, governing bodies (NCAA and SCIAC), and Board committees to enhance financial support for intercollegiate and intramural athletics and physical education programs. Engage and enlist: students, faculty, staff, alumni and fans in support of all the College’s athletic teams and athletes. Represent the College's athletic program in community outreach, marketing and promotion, creating new and innovative ways to promote athletics, and build school spirit and support; on campus, in Whittier, across Southern California, and throughout the alumni community.
  • Serve on the President's Cabinet, Faculty Athletics Committee, and other committees and projects as requested. 
  • Serve as the liaison between the Athletics Department and all other service offices of the College including: Admissions, Financial Aid, Business Office, Registrar and Student Life.

Qualifications

  • A heartfelt commitment to excellence in academics and athletics as well as demonstrated, genuine enthusiasm for and experience with comprehensive athletic programs in both men’s and women’s sports.
  • At least 5 years of demonstrated success as an athletic administrator. Demonstrated experience working and implementing initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • A Master’s degree in a relevant field.
  • Strong knowledge of current issues and best practices in higher education and intercollegiate athletics and strong knowledge and experience with NCAA policies and procedures and Title IX regulations.
  • Experience building and leading diverse teams of students and staff.
  • Experience, energy and drive to inspire financial support from individuals, businesses and foundations for Athletics.
  • A demonstrated creative, entrepreneurial mindset.
  • Experience with budgeting, finance and control procedures.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the recruitment process and the ability to work collaboratively with Admissions staff in the enrollment of students to an academically rigorous institution.
  • High ethical standards with personal and professional integrity.
  • Experience integrating multiple activities and programs within an athletic program, including work with other campus personnel in developing and coordinating activities, goals, and services to promote athletics and provide athletic services to meet the needs of a wide variety of students.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with both internal and external constituencies.Demonstrated knowledge, experience and proficiency in alumni relations and fundraising with an understanding of and ability to articulate the value of athletics in a liberal arts education. An entrepreneurial spirit and success with innovation.

Application Process

The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue to accept applications and nominations until the position is filled. Applicants must submit a current curriculum vitae and a letter describing interest in the position and relevant experience. Submission of materials via e-mail is strongly encouraged. Nomination letters should include the name, position, address and telephone number of the nominee. All applications and nominations will be handled in confidence.

Applications and letters of nomination should be submitted to:

Will Gates, Partner

Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates

6512 Painter Avenue

Whittier, CA 90601

Email: apsearch@storbeckpimentel.com

Refer to code “Whittier-Athletics” in subject line

Whittier College is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.

Qualified women and people of color are especially encouraged to apply.