Vice President and Director of Athletics

Gardner-Webb University seeks a dynamic, visionary, and mission-driven leader to serve as the Vice President & Director of Athletics (VP/AD). This cabinet-level position reports directly to the President and provides strategic leadership, oversight, and direction for the University’s NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics program. The VP/AD is responsible for fostering a culture of excellence, integrity, and competitiveness across all athletic programs while ensuring alignment with Gardner-Webb’s Christian mission, academic priorities, and deep commitment to student-athlete success.

The VP/AD oversees all aspects of the Athletics Department, including leadership, strategy, compliance, operations, and donor engagement. This senior executive works in close partnership with campus leadership to shape the vision and structure of the University’s athletics program. The role places a strong emphasis on academic achievement, student development, competitive success, fiscal stewardship, and engagement with key stakeholders across the University, community, and NCAA Division I athletic conferences.

Key Responsibilities

· Provide overall leadership and vision for athletics, ensuring alignment with the mission and values of Gardner-Webb University

· Build a positive departmental culture centered on excellence in competition, academics, and character

· Hire, develop, and evaluate coaches and administrative staff, ensuring a high-performing team

· Ensure that the Athletics Department remains fully compliant with NCAA, university, and conference rules and regulations

· Serve as the chief ambassador for Runnin’ Bulldogs athletics to alumni, donors, community leaders, media, and conference peers

· Engage in brand-building, marketing, and broadcast collaborations

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Gardner-Webb University seeks a dynamic, visionary, and mission-driven leader to serve as the Vice President & Director of Athletics (VP/AD). This cabinet-level position reports directly to the President and provides strategic leadership, oversight, and direction for the University’s NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics program. The VP/AD is responsible for fostering a culture of excellence, integrity, and competitiveness across all athletic programs while ensuring alignment with Gardner-Webb’s Christian mission, academic priorities, and deep commitment to student-athlete success.

The VP/AD oversees all aspects of the Athletics Department, including leadership, strategy, compliance, operations, and donor engagement. This senior executive works in close partnership with campus leadership to shape the vision and structure of the University’s athletics program. The role places a strong emphasis on academic achievement, student development, competitive success, fiscal stewardship, and engagement with key stakeholders across the University, community, and NCAA Division I athletic conferences.

Key Responsibilities

· Provide overall leadership and vision for athletics, ensuring alignment with the mission and values of Gardner-Webb University

· Build a positive departmental culture centered on excellence in competition, academics, and character

· Hire, develop, and evaluate coaches and administrative staff, ensuring a high-performing team

· Ensure that the Athletics Department remains fully compliant with NCAA, university, and conference rules and regulations

· Serve as the chief ambassador for Runnin’ Bulldogs athletics to alumni, donors, community leaders, media, and conference peers

· Engage in brand-building, marketing, and broadcast collaborations

· Support student-athlete welfare across academic, athletic, and personal development

· Manage department budgets and ensure effective resource allocation

· Lead major athletic facility projects and capital improvements

· Oversee day-to-day operations, including event management, training, healthcare, marketing, communications, and game-day logistics

· Closely collaborate with the Office of Advancement on fundraising campaigns, sponsorship development, and donor engagement strategies

Qualifications

· Advanced degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in higher education administration, sports management, business, or a related field preferred

· Proven success in senior athletics leadership roles, ideally at the NCAA Division I level

· Demonstrated experience in fundraising, sponsorship development, and engagement with conference leadership

· Deep understanding of the evolving landscape of college athletics, including NIL, student-athlete support, and competitive positioning

· Visionary leadership with a collaborative approach and the ability to inspire teams toward a shared mission

· Strong financial management skills with a record of responsible budgeting and resource allocation

· Exceptional communication and public relations abilities, with a talent for storytelling and stakeholder engagement

· Thorough knowledge of NCAA rules, regulations, and compliance procedures

· Commitment to fostering a student-first culture that prioritizes academic achievement, athletic excellence, and personal development

· Alignment with Gardner-Webb’s Christian mission and the ability to serve as a visible ambassador for the University’s values and goals

· Capacity to build strong partnerships across departments, alumni networks, athletic conferences, and the broader community

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should complete the application and include a letter of interest, résumé, and names and contact information for at least three professional references with their submission.  

Gardner-Webb University (gardner-webb.edu) is a coeducational, residential, private Christian institution, located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina with easy access to Charlotte, Asheville, and Greenville-Spartanburg. The University offers 80+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs to approximately 3,600 students.  GWU is a Carnegie-classified Doctoral/Professional University.  In 2022, Gardner-Webb was home to students from 93 counties in North Carolina, 44 US states, and 28 foreign countries.  GWU is a NCAA Division I institution with 22 athletic teams and close to 600 student-athletes.

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