Vice President and Director of Athletics
The Michigan State University (“MSU”) Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics (“Athletics Director”) provides leadership and strategic direction to the University's athletic programs, ensuring the overall success, integrity, and compliance of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (the “Department”). The Athletics Director supervises a staff of coaches, professional and support personnel. They also develop and manage operating budgets for the Department, and participates in fundraising activities, while safeguarding the well-being of student-athletes on and off the field.
Reporting directly to the University President, the Athletics Director represents the Department with integrity while ensuring compliance with University, NCAA, and Big Ten Conference rules, regulations, and policies. The Athletics Director will need to manage the new level of complexity in college sports by strategically driving a new business model in line with Michigan State’s values and commitment to athletics, setting priorities for the Department, recruiting and retaining top talent, remaining nimble, and organizing the Department to be competitive as the landscape changes over time.
Key Responsibilities:
Communications & External Relations:
- Strive to enhance relationships and communication with all parties that have an association with or interest in the Department
- Maintain an effective communication link with Department alumni
- Lead and manage public relations, speak to civic groups, work with media, and interact with spectators at-large on behalf of Michigan State, serving as the primary “face” of Michigan State Athletics
- Develop and execute strategic branding initiatives and fan engagement campaigns to enhance the visibility of athletic programs and cultivate a loyal and energized fan base
- Serve on committees in the Big Ten Conference and NCAA
- Inform and advise university administration staff on matters related to athletics and represent the President, as needed
- Represent Michigan State at Big Ten Conference, NCAA, and other national meetings.
- Generate revenue through fundraising, sponsorships, merchandising, and ticket sales
Business/Commercial:
- Conduct a deep dive internal “audit” of the Department and affiliated entities, together with a critical needs analysis and assessment of the direction of Michigan State, the Big Ten Conference, the House settlement, NIL, and other developments
- Conduct a deep dive external SWOT analysis with key collegiate stakeholders at the campus level, conference level, NCAA level, media, and beyond to understand, diagnose, and strategize a sustainable financial plan for the Department
- Create, communicate, and gain approval of a 5-year business strategy plan for the Department and affiliated entites with a 5-year goal of lifting revenues across all potential streams.
- Implement such 5-year business plan across the Department, factoring in novel revenue generation and fundraising strategies, together with recommendations on how best to maximize multimedia rights, new revenue streams, data analytics, new brand initiatives, etc.
- Pioneer, build, and lead the Department of the future
Excellence in Athletic Performance & Competition
- Set team goals/expectations for Big Ten Conference and NCAA competition (e.g., Top 3 conference, Top 10 NCAA)
- Set goals for Learfield Cup, etc.
- Ensure NCAA and Big Ten Conference compliance
Excellence in the Classroom, Emphasizing Student-Athletes
- Set team APR goals and expectations
- Set team graduation rate goals
- Ensure NCAA and Big Ten Conference compliance
Strategic & Transparent Budget Management and Financial Planning
- Establish annual balanced budget; and present a business plan for future facility and programmatic funding needs
- Regularly engage with University Advancement and Spartan Athletics Foundation partners to set fundraising goals and a fundraising strategy
- Effectively manage and collaborate with multimedia rights entities, such as MSU Sports Properties, Playfly, Spartan Ventures, etc., as well as potential sponsors
- Work collaboratively with university leadership (including finance and budget offices) and affiliated entities to manage Department expenses and revenue streams
- Regularly engage with alumni and donors to communicate funding priorities and incentivize fundraising opportunities
- Engage on issues of NIL, transfer portal, and revenue sharing; and communicate strategy and outcomes around funding models and opportunities for student-athletes to the relevant internal and external stakeholders
Comprehensive Resources for Physical & Mental Well-Being of Student-Athletes
- Develop a clearly articulated strategic plan for facilities and programming to ensure student-athlete success
- Regularly engage with university colleagues and Athletics Advisory Board members/ potential donors to communicate priorities and potential funding needs
State-of-the-Art Facilities to Benefit Student-Athletes & Create a Great Gameday Fan Experience
- Prioritize annually and communicate planning for facility upgrades and capital projects
- Consult with student-athletes, coaches, alumni and other University stakeholders around needed resources
As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff in support of its educational mission. With this commitment, the University will conduct a professional misconduct review of all individuals seeking employment in executive management and academic management positions (e.g., President, Provost, Vice President, Vice Provost, Deans, etc.).
Professional Misconduct Review
A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for all individuals to be selected for this position. Interviewees will be asked to disclose whether they are subject to any pending investigation, findings or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Professional misconduct includes misconduct related to a person’s employment, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, research integrity, discrimination, or harassment under civil rights laws and policies, including protected identity harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, etc.), and retaliation. At the interview stage, candidates will also be asked to sign an authorization and release, which authorizes the University to contact the candidate’s current and former employers, for a period of 7 years prior to the date of application, related to any pending investigations, findings of responsibility and/or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Although the declaration and authorization will be signed at the interview stage, the University will not reach out to the current and former employers until the semi-finalist candidates are identified for on campus interviews but before a formal offer of employment is made by the University.
The existence of professional misconduct history does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment. The University will assess the information, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether the professional misconduct history is compatible with the position. The University may decline to hire a candidate based on the professional misconduct review. All records obtained from external employers will be kept in a secure location, separate from personnel files. If an applicant fails to sign the authorization and release, the application will be deemed incomplete and will be considered withdrawn.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Bachelors -Business, liberal arts, sports administration, and/or other applicable course of study.
Masters -A post-graduate degree with an emphasis on business, sports administration, and/or other applicable course of study is a plus.
- A bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on business, liberal arts, sports administration, and/or other applicable course of study.
- A proven managerial leader with a minimum of 10 years of hands-on management experience managing complex organizations and complex marketplace dynamics.
- Education and experience that may include a background in sports or sport-related administration and leadership.
- A deep understanding of intercollegiate athletics and current issues facing Division I intercollegiate athletics, including NIL and affiliated entities, the potential impact of student-athletes being reclassified as employees, and issues arising from the NCAA Transformation Committee and/or College Sports Commission, and how they will impact the strength and viability of the institution.
- Exceptional leadership and collaboration skills.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills.
- Demonstrated experience and commitment to the core values of Michigan State.
- High emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and humility
- A post-graduate degree with an emphasis on business, sports administration, and/or other applicable course of study is a plus.
- A transformative vision and innovative approach to address opportunities and challenges in college athletics, including NIL and affiliated entities.
- Previous experience in finance, facilities management, compliance, marketing, student services, human resources, fundraising, investment, and/or sports supervision.
- A proven record of establishing and meeting ambitious goals.
- A strategic thinker who adapts to dynamic environments.
07/17/2026
WWW.MSUSPARTANS.COM
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
