Associate Athletic Director of External Relations

Lewis University - Romeoville, IL

Full-time - Mid Level

Romeoville, IL

Educational Services

About the position

The Associate Athletic Director for External Operations position at Lewis University is a pivotal role that reports directly to the Assistant Vice President for Athletics. This position is designed to foster collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders to support the mission and strategic objectives of the athletic department and the university as a whole. The Associate Athletic Director will take charge of leading and aligning all external units within the Lewis University Athletics Department. These units include Communications, Marketing and Promotions, Development, Creative Content, Social Media, Ticket Operations, Ticket Sales, and Sponsorships. In this role, the Associate Athletic Director will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive strategies that ensure effective collaboration and coordination among these units. The primary goals are to drive revenue growth, enhance brand presence, improve the fan experience, and elevate the student-athlete experience. As a key member of the athletics executive leadership team, this position will represent the athletic department within the campus community, the local area, and to both existing and potential partners. Additionally, the Associate Athletic Director will have sport supervision duties as assigned by the Assistant Vice President for Athletics. The responsibilities of this role include modeling the University Mission through dedicated job performance and service excellence, as well as actively supporting the Catholic and Lasallian higher education values. The Associate Athletic Director will assist in directing the activities of a comprehensive athletic department, establishing and implementing both short- and long-range organizational goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures, while also monitoring and evaluating their effectiveness. This position will also oversee all external units, ensuring that they work cohesively towards common goals, particularly in areas such as major gift donations, annual fund memberships, ticket sales, sponsorships, and brand recognition. Furthermore, the Associate Athletic Director will enhance game/event experiences and ensure that corporate sponsorship and partnership activation goals are met, while also coordinating alumni relations and special events in collaboration with University Advancement.

Responsibilities

• Model the University Mission through dedicated job performance and service excellence.
• Serve as a member of the Lewis University Athletics executive leadership team.
• Assist the Assistant Vice President for Athletics in directing activities of the athletic department.
• Establish and implement short- and long-range organizational goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of established goals and procedures.
• Provide management and oversight of all external units including Communications, Marketing and Promotions, Annual Fund and Major Gift Development, Creative Content, Social Media, Ticket Operations, Ticket Sales, and Sponsorships.
• Develop comprehensive external strategies while setting common goals and enhancing collaboration among units.
• Direct and enhance game/event experiences and presentations in collaboration with facility and event operations staff.
• Coordinate efforts to fulfill corporate sponsorship and partnership agreements.
• Oversee successful planning and execution of department alumni relations and special events.
• Represent Flyer Athletics within the campus, local community, and to existing and new partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field.
• Three (3) years of experience in intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics external operations or a related field.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in fundraising, athletic marketing, sales, or athletic administration preferred.