Executive Director - Massachusetts State Athletic Commission

$105,000 - $118,000/Yr

Division of Occupational Licensure - Boston, MA

Full-time - Executive

Boston, MA

501-1,000 employees

About the position

The Executive Director (ED) for the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission (MSAC) plays a pivotal role within the Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL), an agency dedicated to protecting consumers by ensuring compliance with state licensing laws. The ED is responsible for overseeing the administration of processes, procedures, and policies that guide the daily licensing, enforcement, and compliance activities of MSAC. This includes managing the complaint management system, supervising investigations, and coordinating enforcement priorities. The ED ensures that all individuals associated with unarmed combat sports, including corners, referees, timekeepers, and fighters, are properly licensed and that the integrity of the profession is maintained through fair and consistent enforcement of applicable rules and regulations. In this role, the ED will manage a staff that processes permits for over 100 events annually, ensuring that all necessary documentation, including medical records, is accurately maintained and submitted. The ED is also responsible for overseeing the yearly financial audit of MSAC's records and ensuring compliance with state and federal laws, including public records laws. The position requires strong leadership skills, as the ED will supervise professional and administrative staff, manage training programs, and ensure that all staff are compliant with DOL policies and procedures. The ED will also be expected to attend training events and sanctioned events throughout the Commonwealth, which may occur during evenings and weekends. This role is critical to the smooth operation of events and requires collaboration with external stakeholders to enhance event frequency and improve communication and paperwork efficiency. The ED must possess a deep understanding of the unarmed combat sports industry and be adept at managing complex regulatory environments while promoting a culture of inclusiveness and respect within the agency.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily administrative function for MSAC.
• Manage all board meetings and subcommittee meetings.
• Communicate with Commission members, set schedules, determine locations, and approve agendas and Commission packets, ensuring all documents required for meetings are accurate and complete.
• Ensure agendas and meeting minutes are accurate and posted in compliance with the open meeting law.
• Assist the Commission in reviewing regulations, updating regulations, and with the Agency, promulgating regulations.
• Provide written and oral advice to the Agency on regulatory matters related to MSAC.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with MSAC Commissioners.
• Introduce policy, regulatory, administrative, and enforcement issues for board consideration.
• Collaborate with assigned legal counsel in drafting proposed regulations.
• Oversee approved Amateur Sanctioning Bodies and ensure they are in compliance with Commission laws and regulations.
• Communicate with external stakeholders on new events and expansion of events.
• Assist with training staff, including MSAC-appointed deputy commissioners, on relevant processes and event oversight.
• Attend events and assist in compliance, safety and necessary assistance to assure safe and smooth events.
• Manage and oversee licensure operations and process.
• Manage all licensing and regulatory functions for the Commission.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of license processes; assess and recommend process improvements; draft documentation related to these areas.
• Draft job guides documenting licensing processes.
• Approve/deny individual license applications for licensure.
• Determine if applicants are eligible to fight by evaluating experience, medical records, and other required documents.
• Work with promoters and matchmakers to ensure fight cards and other documents required for sanctioned events are submitted within regulatory timelines and presented to the Commission for approval as required.
• Ensure officials and MSAC staff are assigned strategically to maximize presence and meet regulatory requirements to ensure health and safety standards at sanctioned events.
• Direct MSAC Investigation and Compliance Program.
• Assign and monitor MSAC complaints for investigation of violations of the law and regulations; investigatory responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: conducting interviews; obtaining documentation and physical evidence; record reviews; evaluations; and summary writing.
• Interpret and apply licensing rules and regulations to MSAC complaint investigations.
• Monitor the status of pending complaints and work with Board Counsel, assigned prosecutors, and investigators to ensure timely progress and resolution of pending matters.
• Recommend policies and regulatory changes to DOL and MSAC, based on investigative findings, and execute recommendations upon approval.
• Ensure that compliance officers and deputy commissioners are properly trained in all aspects of MSAC regulations and are following proper policies and conducting, themselves both safely and professionally in the field.
• Develop a deputy commissioner training program to ensure deputy commissioners are up to date on MSAC regulations and able to perform necessary functions at sanctioned events.
• Manage personnel, perform Unit's human resource functions, train unit personnel.
• In coordination with senior DOL managers, screen and interview for staff positions as vacancies arise.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide feedback as needed to meet DOL goals.
• Document HR issues as needed, and work with HR Counsel on all HR matters.
• Ensure Unit staff are properly trained.
• Ensure staff compliance with DOL policies and manuals.
• Promote compliance by Unit staff and Commission members with respect to their roles and responsibilities, the Open Meeting Law, Public Records Law, State Ethics Law, codes of conduct, and administrative procedures.
• Delegate tasks, assign and review work product.
• Provide a supportive work environment to facilitate personal and professional growth of staff.
• Provide expertise and assistance in the disciplinary processes.
• Establish policies to track internal progress by the Offices of Investigations, Legal Counsel, and Prosecutions, regarding complaints against licensees.
• Make recommendations for license reinstatement applications, based on licensee compliance with the terms of discipline.
• Provide input regarding the issuance of adjudicatory/disciplinary decisions based on board precedents, Massachusetts General Laws, and the Code of Massachusetts Regulation.
• Act as the primary contact for the yearly MSAC fiscal audit.
• Review deputy commissioner pay sheets, approve, and ensure they are sent to accounting timely for payment.
• Assure accurate records are received from all fights, and are tracked and processed properly.
• Act as records custodian.
• Oversee all staff responses to requests made pursuant to the Public Records Law and Fair Information Practices Act and assist DOL's public records unit in filling these requests.
• Assist the Director of External Affairs and the OCA Legislative Liaison in responding to inquiries from the Governor's Office, the Legislature, other agencies, complaining parties, licensees, and others regarding any disciplinary or investigative matters.

Requirements

• At least six (6) years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management.
• At least two (2) years must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity.
• A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required experience.
• Significant supervisory and management experience.
• Substantive knowledge in unarmed combat sports.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.
• Significant experience in the issuance of licenses, compliance inspections, and complaint investigation.
• Strong planning, research, and organizational skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Familiarity with investigative, inspectional, and prosecutorial techniques and processes.
• Skilled in the areas of process improvement and strategic planning, systems dynamics and systems re-engineering.
• Ability to motivate, train, and lead subordinates.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
• Potential for a hybrid work schedule.
• Support for professional development and training opportunities.