Director of Athletics

Description

About the Job       
            
The position of Athletic Director at Colorado Christian University is a 12-month, full-time position providing spiritual leadership to 15 varsity sports, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) division II program. Reporting the Vice President of Student Life (VPSL), the position oversees all aspects of the athletic program including supervising 10 head coaches, various assistant coaches, three athletic trainers, a Strength and Conditioning Coach, the Associate Assistant Director (AD) in charge of Compliance, and the Assistant AD responsible for Events and communication. Additionally, the Director of Athletics represents the university in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), overseeing facilities, scholarships, budgets, fundraising for the department, major event organization, and the day-to-day operation of the program for approximately 230 student athletes.                  
         
About CCU                
   
Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian university in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, delivering world class education to thousands of students. The fully accredited, nonprofit University is located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.           
        
Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914.  CCU’s motto is--grace and truth. This motto comes from John 1.14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (ESV)                 
   
CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth.                
   
Colorado Christian University cultivates knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world. We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards, embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, treasure the gospel, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world in their callings.     
              
CCU embraces an educational model that was present at the foundation of many of the great western and American universities. It is made up of three pillars—competence, character and Christ-centered faith. Secular universities have abandoned two of those pillars. We think this is a major oversight that eventually undermines education. Furthermore, we believe this classical educational model is both life-giving and greatly needed in our time.                
   
A leader in higher education, CCU has been consistently ranked in the top 2 percent of colleges and universities nationwide for its core curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. CCU has had ten consecutive years of enrollment growth and has been named one of the five fastest-growing master’s granting universities by The Chronicle of Higher Education.                 
   
CCU offers more than 200 degree program options for traditional and adult students through its two colleges--the College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies. More than 9,000 students attend the University on the main campus, in regional centers throughout Colorado, and online.                
   
What is most appealing about working at CCU?                

Faith friendly: CCU’s culture is unique to higher education. Where else can you pursue academic excellence yet read the Holy Bible, pray with teammates and students at work, and work to impact our culture in support of Christian values?

Convictionally Christian: As a university, we have an enduring commitment to Christ, his kingdom and the truth of God’s Word.

Live out your calling: We are a traditional evangelical university where you can invest your God-given talents and abilities alongside coworkers and teammates, while having a profound influence on students as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Equip students for kingdom work: You can be a part of helping students discover their callings and preparing them for positions of significant leadership in the church, business, government, education, and other professions, as a key part of our University's Strategic Priorities .

We’re looking for candidates who have:                

A master's degree from an accredited university is preferred.

Must have three to five years of athletic administration, and knowledge of the parameters of operating a NCAA athletic program at the Division II level.  Familiarity with  NCAA governing rules. 

Have an energetic personality, able to integrate their personal faith into their work with an effective background in discipleship.

Effective communication with the ability to articulate the athletic mission among the various constituencies of the university.

Ability to minister to others with the gospel through the platform of athletics.

Ability to interact appropriately and professionally with student-athletes.

Experience in a similar private Christian institution is desirable.

Key Job Duties                
   
Mission Contribution                        
   
Contribute to CCU's mission: Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth. In this role, the Assistant Director contributes to the mission by facilitating a Christ-Centered environment in which our student-athletes can use their God-given talents to serve "an audience of One."                   
   
Administration                 

The director will oversee the budget for the department and coordinate all purchase requests among the individual programs.

The director will coordinate all recruiting efforts among the individual sports and assure compliance within all NCAA rules and procedures.

The director will hire, train, supervise, and evaluate all athletic personnel on an annual basis.

The director will maintain an effective training process for all athletic staff including a staff handbook, student athlete handbook, and regular training times to update the staff on new processes and procedures.

The director will collaborate with the Assistant AD in securing and coordinating all athletic-related facilities.

The director will be an active member of the Student Life Staff seeking ways to integrate the athletic department with other Student Life groups, offices, and efforts. The director will represent the athletic department on the Student Life Senior Staff.

The director will assure that the academic goals for the department and the participating athletes are met with oversight on team study tables, consistent team grade checks, programs for athletes in academic distress, and a close working relationship with the Faculty Athletic Representative in their certification of eligibility.

The director will attend regular meetings of the RMAC conference as scheduled by the commissioner, and the mandatory NCAA Convention.

The director will create procedures to ensure the safety of the athletes in the individual programs having to do with practice organization, team travel, overnight stays, holiday and beak housing, and game staffing needs.

The director will oversee all team disciplinary actions and advise and direct each coach within these efforts.

The director will supervise the Associate AD responsible for compliance, along with the Assistant AD responsible for events and communication.

The director will supervise the Head Athletic Trainer, and the Strength and conditioning coach.

The director will work in collaboration with the VP of University Advancement to develop athletic department scholarship, program, and facilities fundraising.

Spiritual Leadership                 

The director will work with the Campus Ministry Department and the VPSL to comprise the overall spiritual direction of the department assuring its alignment with the university mission and providing mentoring and guidance to coaches in support of this mission. The formulation of that plan to include a concerted discipleship program for athletic personnel will be done annually.

The director will provide training, support, and direction to athletic personnel to create an atmosphere of spiritual growth and exploration among the participating students in the overall program. 

The director will evaluate all athletic personnel on their effectiveness in transforming student athlete’s lives in terms of their journey with Christ. Discipleship plans for each individual team will be formulated with each coach before the beginning of the year.

The director will work closely with the Campus Ministry department to ensure an integrated process of related activities, programs, and ministries for the athletes.   

Fundraising                  

The director will oversee all department fundraising using student athletes and will put into place a process of approving such fundraising events to assure that university liability will be at a minimum.

The director will oversee major fundraising events within the department to achieve overall department fundraising goals. This will include the Elevate Athletics Scholarships Golf Tournament, interfacing with Fundraising Committees, collaborating with University Advancement to maximize efforts.

The director will secure departmental corporate sponsors and will meet with potential Capital Campaign donors.

Work Environment                
   
While performing the duties of this job, you may be required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, speak with clarity, and have appropriate vision and hearing capabilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. You will be required to work irregular hours, including some nights and weekends. Local and regional travel is expected. National travel may occur. Colorado Christian University expects all faculty and staff to become a part of the University community by participating in activities and events that occur on the campus throughout the year, which may occur during evenings and weekends.                
   
What we offer our employees                
   
We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to all employees. Our benefit package includes: a tuition waiver program, excellent healthcare, generous paid time off, matching 403(b) retirement plan, and additional organizational paid benefits and voluntary benefit offerings.      
        
The pay range for this job is $100,000 - $120,000 annually. Pay is assigned by reviewing a combination of job-related factors that may include: internal/external pay equity, the salary structure/pay grade, or a candidate’s qualifications/experience for the job. A wage range posted is not a guarantee of a specific wage and CCU reserves the right to make pay decisions based on economic and equity considerations. CCU does not determine pay based on sex or any other protected status. Pay and benefits will be discussed in more detail as candidates progress through the interview process.       
 
Application Deadline               
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  
 

Spiritual Requirements

Committed follower of Jesus Christ, who believes there is no salvation apart from faith in his atonement on the cross, by grace alone becoming "born again" thus beginning a personal relationship with Christ, the Son of God.

Able to effectively communicate personal faith and apply biblical principles and convictions in the workplace. Must have a strong sense of calling to the ministry of Colorado Christian University.

Regularly attend and be engaged in meaningful involvement in a Bible-believing evangelical local church. Knowledgeable about the Word of God and passionate about Christian education.

Must be a traditional evangelical Christian whose lifestyle is in consonance with sound Christian principles, is compatible with CCU’s Statement of Faith, and is in agreement with the Strategic Priorities promulgated by the University.

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Colorado Christian University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status. CCU is committed to an environment free from discrimination and harassment and calls on every member of the university community to be vigilant in deterring and reporting all violations. CCU does reserve the right to exercise preference on the basis of religion in all of its employment practices. All employees who work at CCU must demonstrate a spiritual testimony consistent with our evangelical mission and follow our lifestyle expectations.