Chief Operating Officer for Athletics and Recreation

Department: Univ Athletics - Admin
Salary/Grade: EXS/17

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Vice President of Athletics and Recreation, who reports to the University's President, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) plays an integral role in leading key operations for the organization. This position will be imperative in aligning our internal and external units and positioning the department and all varsity teams to continue to perform at the highest level as they compete for conference and national championships. The COO serves as a member of the Vice President's Senior Staff and provides strategic leadership and vision for the department while setting high standards and ethical business practices. The COO oversees a large, diverse portfolio including the overall management of the athletic business office which includes all business operations, travel, accounts payable, procurement, finance and budgeting. Additionally, the COO will oversee all capital projects as well as the units of human resources, information and technology services, facilities and game management and equipment operations. This position will have oversight of Northwestern's sport administration program, including serving as a sport administrator for designated teams.

This role will be responsible for the overall operations of the Athletic and Recreation Department in the absence of the Vice President for Athletics and Recreation.

Willingness and ability to work a non-traditional schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays as required. *

*Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide oversight to all business services and work closely with the Sr. Associate Athletics Director/ CFO to ensure fiscally responsible operations as a result of sound budget management practices, budget to actual performance analysis, auditing processes and fiscal integrity across financial-related matters (e.g., compensation, revenue, travel, gifts, among others). The COO will ensure alignment to and compliance with University policies and procedures. This role will be charged with ensuring that current practices and all applicable technology is contemporary, relevant, value-added and efficient to best meet the changing demands of the Department of Athletics and Recreation.
• Developing and maintaining strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders to best position Northwestern Athletics and Recreation. Those relationships will include key community leaders, alumni and donors, and University Leadership. This role will be accountable for ensuring revenue generation is aligned with the overall financial plan of the department
• Lead every aspect of capital and facility projects relating to athletics and recreation including, but not limited to, organizing RFP process, managing budget and approval process, overseeing design and construction, and approving all interior and exterior design elements; Primary contact for central facilities management to ensure appropriate coordination with University policies and procedures.
• Work with Vice President for Athletic and Recreation on execution of master facility plan to determine current and future needs for all varsity and recreation programs.
• Supervise facilities and events staff to provide support to gameday event operations, including assisting with bids for post-season tournaments, as needed.
• Manage the relationship, contract agreement, and fulfillment of our equipment and service provider. (Currently Under Armour)
• Supervise equipment services staff to ensure appropriate policies and procedures are in place for licensing, purchasing, and equipment inventory and distribution.
• Oversee the sport administrator program; work closely with designated sport administrators to ensure consistent and best practices are implemented across all varsity programs. Serve as liaison for sport administrators and head coaches for all issues related to their respective sports, inclusive of roster and salary cap management. As a Sport Administrator for assigned programs, this role will provide leadership, advice, counsel, oversight and guidance for each assigned program.
• Supervise the NUDAR human resources office; including all key functions throughout the life cycle of staff including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, employment contracts, compensation, retention, development and off-boarding.
• The COO will liaise with key stakeholders; mainly the conference office and other third party affiliate groups including but not limited to our contracted food service providers, security staff, custodial crews and Northwestern Medicine
• The COO will work closely with Northwestern Medicine, and Sport administrators to ensure the optimization and functionality of the High Performance Team. The COO will be the primary contact for Northwestern medicine and have direct oversight of that operational relationship of the sports medicine and Nutrition departments as well as the NUDAR Olympic and Football Sports Performance teams and Sports Psychology unit.
• The COO is responsible for coordinating football scheduling with the Vice President of Athletics and the Head Football Coach. Specifically as it relates to managing football game negotiations and contract development.
• The COO will serve as the main liaison for the Big Ten Conference office and be tasked with monitoring the conference and national landscapes to ensure that Northwestern Athletics is in a position of strength and can compete for conference and national championships.
• Responsible for adhering to all Department and University policies and procedures, as well as the rules, regulations, bylaws and interpretations of the Big Ten Conference and the NCAA.
• Responsible for adhering to all Department and University continuing education initiatives and required certifications and trainings.

Miscellaneous

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in providing strategic leadership and vision for a department, or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• 5+ years of senior leadership level experience required, preferably in collegiate or professional athletics.
• Full knowledge of rules and regulations of the NCAA, Big Ten Conference, required
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and effectively interact with diverse populations.
• Ability to establish engaging relationships within and across racialized and other marginalized communities
• Excellent leadership with a track record of developing and maintaining high-performing teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree preferred

Target hiring range for this position will be between $211,000 to $350,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

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Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.