Deputy Athletic Director- Chief of Staff - 140346

The Deputy Athletic Director & Chief of Staff serves as the Athletic Director's principal operational partner and strategic advisor, with broad responsibilities for overseeing the Athletics Department's day-to-day operations and advancing institutional priorities. This role is designed for a senior leader who can translate vision into execution, build and develop high-performing teams, anticipate challenges, and elevate operational standards across people, finances, and systems.

The Deputy Athletic Director & Chief of Staff plays a critical role in ensuring alignment, accountability, and momentum across the department while supporting UC San Diego Athletics as it continues to compete and evolve within the rapidly changing Division I landscape. Candidates from both collegiate athletics and professional sports, including emerging leagues, are encouraged to apply.

The incumbent will follow the athletic philosophy consistent with that of the UC San Diego Athletic Department and NCAA, and a commitment to diversity in all of its forms. Triton Athletics promotes the pursuit of excellence, strength of character, teamwork, ethical conduct, and diversity, and is inextricably linked to the educational mission of the University.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership and Advisory

Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the Athletic Director on strategy, priorities, and execution.Support decision-making by synthesizing information, identifying risks and opportunities, and providing actionable recommendations.Represent the Athletic Director in meetings, committees, and campus engagements as assigned.Oversee day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the Athletics Department to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.Coordinate across internal units to reduce silos, improve communication, and ensure consistent implementation of priorities.

• Department Operations

Lead cross-functional initiatives and special projects critical to departmental success.Ensure accountability and follow-through on departmental goals and timelines.Partner with senior leadership on budget development, resource allocation, and financial planning.Promote fiscal discipline, transparency, and best practices in administrative operations.Support long-term planning related to staffing, infrastructure, and operational sustainability.Partner with senior leadership on budget development, resource allocation, and financial planning.Promote fiscal discipline, transparency, and best practices in administrative operations.Support long-term planning related to staffing, infrastructure, and operational sustainability.

• People Leadership and Change Management

Build, develop, and retain a high-performing athletics administration team.Establish clear expectations, roles, and accountability across staff.Foster a culture of collaboration, professionalism, inclusion, and continuous improvement.Raise performance standards in a respectful, constructive, and values-driven manner.Apply a deep understanding of Division I athletics, NCAA governance, and the evolving collegiate sports landscape.Translate innovative and professional sports best practices into a university setting where appropriate.Lead with urgency, adaptability, and sound judgment amid industry change.Anticipate challenges and address issues before they escalate.Develop and implement practical, timely solutions to complex operational and organizational challenges.Ensure departmental priorities continue to move forward without disruption.

• Bachelor's degree in related area with typically 8 years of progressive leadership experience in collegiate athletics, professional sports, higher education, or a comparable operational environment and / or equivalent experience / training with a college-level program.

• Masters degree and Division I experience is preferred.

• Experience serving as a Deputy Athletic Director, Chief of Staff, Senior Associate Athletic Director, COO, or comparable senior operational role preferred.

• Strong leadership abilities and interpersonal skills to work effectively with a diverse client and peer group. Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted professional behavior, etiquette and standards of protocol that are appropriate within a collegiate athletic setting. Demonstrated interpersonal skills to establish and maintain good working relationships with colleagues, staff, faculty, supporters, targeted community groups and corporate executives.

• Ability to multi-task effectively; demonstrates sound judgment and decision-making; is an effective problem solver and effectively communicates verbally and in writing. Original thinking for analysis, evaluation, development of ideas, negotiation and reasoning. Ability to anticipate compliance and budgetary trends, anticipate problems, and develop cogent plans that apply to the department-wide vision. Senior management skills, including organization, problem-solving, negotiation, decision-making, research, analysis, interpersonal and motivational skills, and the ability to effectively delegate responsibilities.

• Advanced knowledge of the intercollegiate athletics function. Detailed specific knowledge of assigned sports rules and regulations, with knowledge of the sound coaching principles unique to various sports. Working knowledge of the philosophy and objectives of an NCAA athletics program, particularly for Divisions I. Demonstrated knowledge and the ability to communicate persuasively and passionately to convey the vision and mission of athletic and academic excellence. Professional knowledge of NCAA Division I rules and regulations related to reclassification, Title IX, among others.

• Must maintain current knowledge of applicable rules and standards of the affiliated athletic conference, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) or National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), as well as other associations and agencies to which the campus adheres, and, at all times avoid any and all violations of these rules and standards. Superior knowledge of the structure of athletic associations and their rules and regulations, including the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and other conferences and associations as pertains to the various sports assigned

• Intermediate computer application skills in programs relevant to job duties Experience using and evaluating new technologies in the athletics administration and management industry such as ARMS, NCAA LSDBi, Real Response and NCAA Program Hub.

• Strong personnel and fiscal management skills required. Working knowledge of a public university's administrative and financial policies, staffing and corresponding responsibilities in order to coordinate campus programs and activities. Demonstrated knowledge of basic accounting and budgeting procedures, including the ability to make revenue and expense projections. Sufficient knowledge of financial management principles to develop and adhere to budgetary restrictions.

• Demonstrated resourcefulness, efficiency and stamina to plan and supervise collegiate athletic competitions and championship events. Experience directing the management of all all aspects of home athletic events, including staffing, scoring, ticketing, set-up/take-down, spirit groups, half-time activities, traffic control and emergency procedures.

• Proven ability to assess campus climate, identify potential collaborations, initiate innovative promotional activities, and successfully develop support and enthusiasm for the athletic program.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in the English language. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact in a positive manner with diverse clientele, using a high degree of confidence, initiative, tact, diplomacy, flexibility, patience and discretion in dealing with a diverse population of students, parents, staff, supporters, campus administrators, faculty and the general public. Ability to interact effectively with others, with an affinity for networking and collaboration, while focusing on the pursuit of departmental objectives.

• Demonstrated integrity and commitment to academic excellence. Ability to maintain confidentiality in all matters, with a strong sense of ethical conduct, fairness, cooperation, civility, mutual respect and professionalism.

• Demonstrated ability to advise and counsel coaches, staff, student-athletes, and other university departments and personnel on NCAA Division I and Title IX rules and regulations. Experience with NCAA divisional reclassification.

• Demonstrated supervisory skills, including the ability to provide lead direction, to effectively motivate, delegate, train, supervise and evaluate Coaches, staff and student employees. Demonstrated experience leading people, managing complex operations, and driving strategic initiatives.

• Strong, demonstrated analytical, administration, organization, and decision-making skills and abilities; superior attention to detail and strong time-management skills; ability to revise plans in response to changing circumstances. Demonstrated experience planning and implementation of a program wide strategic plan

• Demonstrated experience interpreting complex policies, procedures, and regulatory information and developing comprehensive policies, procedures, tools, guidelines and forms.

• Demonstrated ability to follow the athletic philosophy consistent with that of the UC San Diego Athletic Department and NCAA, and a commitment to diversity in all of its forms. Advanced skills in development of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) program to eliminate systemic organizational marginalization and promote inclusive and equitable practices.

• Proven ability to operate with urgency while maintaining professionalism, discretion, and trust.

• This position is a mandated reporter of known or suspected child abuse or neglect, according to the California law, Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA).

• This position is a campus security authority (CSA) for the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, which is a federal law requiring disclosure of information about crimes on and around campus.

• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

• Work schedule will include evenings, weekends and holidays. Must be able to travel to out-of-town meetings and athletic competitions.