Athletic director jobs: Responsibilities, qualifications, and career outlooks

The role of the athletic director is vital in sport management.

An athletic director oversees athletic programs of educational institutions, ensuring the smooth functioning of each sport offered, from scheduling games to budgeting. They also play a significant role in hiring coaches, setting game or match schedules, and ensuring compliance with athletic regulations.

In this post, we will explore the role, responsibilities, qualifications, and career outlook of athletic directors.

Athletic directors are responsible for managing all aspects of athletic programs, including scheduling games and competitions, coordinating travel arrangements, overseeing facilities maintenance, and ensuring compliance with rules and regulations. They provide leadership and direction for the athletic department, set goals, develop strategic plans, and establish policies and procedures to guide the operation of sports programs. Here are a few more details about those responsibilities and the University of Kansas online master’s in sport management course connections that teach these skills:

Athletic directors develop and manage the athletic department budget, which includes allocating funds for equipment, facilities, travel expenses, personnel salaries, and other operational needs.

KU course connection: HSES 828 – SPORT FINANCE:
This course is a study of the principles and applications of finance and economics in the sport industry. Strategic financial planning as a part of management responsibilities is highlighted.

Sports programs must comply with rules and regulations set by governing bodies such as the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) or state athletic associations. Athletic directors stay informed about changes in regulations and implement policies to maintain compliance.

KU course connection HSES 884 – LEGAL ASPECTS OF SPORT:
This course is intended to introduce graduate students to the basic concepts of the American legal system and the application of them to intercollegiate and professional sports. Particular emphasis will be given to risk management and preventive law. Other topics include: governance issues in intercollegiate and professional sports, contract law, employment discrimination, labor relations and collective bargaining, agency law and athlete agents, regulation of participation in intercollegiate and high school athletics, sport facility and event issues, participant liability issues, product liability issues, premises and spectator liability, participant violence in sports, and intellectual property law.

A key part of this job is to create fundraising opportunities to gain additional financial support for sports programs. Athletic directors might plan fundraising events, coordinate promotional materials, and collaborate with alumni or booster clubs.¹

KU course connection: HSES 886 – SPORT FUNDRAISING:
This course is intended to give students a close look at the sports fundraising space. Topics in this course include transformational versus transactional fundraising, the emerging importance of outside funding to intercollegiate athletics and the trends for this ever-developing area.

Athletic directors oversee the maintenance and operation of athletic facilities, ensuring they meet safety standards and are suitable for use.

Athletic directors must meet many qualifications. These qualifications can change depending on the level of sports program and the requirements these programs expect of their athletic directors.

A bachelor’s degree in physical education or sport management is usually enough to work at the middle and high school levels.

A sport management degree can lead you to a career path that starts with teaching or coaching. Teaching and coaching provide the experience necessary to improve leadership skills. Many employers look for candidates who have experience in the sports they will be managing.¹ Playing sports during your time in college can provide you with this experience.²

To work at the college level, candidates need a master’s degree in sport management or a related area. Most college programs require three to four years of experience in athletic administration, sport management, or a related field.¹

Some programs prefer candidates who also have certifications in areas related to the business aspects of the job. Obtaining certifications in administration, financial planning, or public relations would set you apart from other candidates.¹

In addition to education, it is important to gain practical experience.³ Working while completing an online master’s degree can provide you with the necessary experience now and save you time later. Students have the chance to gain this experience through workshops, internships, or externships.²

Athletic directors need to have a managerial mindset and be familiar with how sports teams operate and sports association rules. This allows them to hire the appropriate personnel and build the necessary workflows and hierarchies within the program.¹

The skills required of athletic directors include the following:

• Leadership skills: Athletic directors need to provide guidance and motivation to coaches, athletic staff, and athletes. They also need to delegate tasks to other team members
• Organizational skills: This job includes responsibilities like scheduling, budgets, and managing staff members
• Communication and interpersonal skills: Athletic directors interact with the athletic department staff, administrators, parents, teachers, and donors. They need to be able to build strong relationships and effectively communicate within these relationships
• Problem-solving skills: Conflicts will arise, and athletic directors will have to mitigate these conflicts between staff or athletes and coaches. They need to develop solutions for these problems⁴

There are many career opportunities within the field of sport administration and management. The career paths depend on your qualifications and interests. Many athletic directors begin their careers as coaches or educators with a background in physical education and work their way up to administrative roles.²

• High school, college, and professional sports: Working in high school requires overseeing athletic programs and activities for students. Opportunities in college and university settings range from NCAA Division I, II, or III programs to smaller colleges and universities. They may also specialize in specific sports or athletic programs, such as football, basketball, or Olympic sports
• Athletic administration: Athletic directors may advance to higher-level administrative roles, such as associate athletic director, director of operations, or conference commissioner. These positions involve greater responsibilities in program management, budgeting, strategic planning, and policy development³
• Professional sports organizations: These organizations include professional leagues, teams, or sports agencies. The roles are related to team operations, player development, scouting, or talent management
• Sports marketing and promotion: Athletic directors with expertise in marketing, communications, or public relations may pursue careers in sports marketing agencies, sports media companies, or corporate sponsorships.⁵ They may work in roles related to event planning, brand management, or sports sponsorship activation
• Nonprofit and community organizations: Athletic directors may work for nonprofit organizations, community recreation centers, or youth sports programs, coordinating athletic programs and activities for children, teenagers, or adults
• Consulting and education: Experienced athletic directors may transition to consulting roles, providing guidance to schools, colleges, or sports organizations. They may also pursue higher education opportunities as professors or sport management program instructors

As long as sports remain an integral part of education, recreation, and community engagement, there will be a demand for athletic directors. The career outlook for athletic directors varies depending on the level of the institution or organization, as well as regional demand for sports programs. Overall, employment opportunities for athletic directors are expected to be stable, with some growth projected in the field.

Building a successful career as an athletic director requires a combination of education, experience, skills, networking, and professional development.⁶

Athletic directors who demonstrate strong leadership skills, strategic vision, and the ability to manage complex programs effectively are likely to have the best prospects for advancement and success in their careers.

Maintaining a successful career requires one to network with professionals in the field of athletic administration through professional associations, conferences, and events. Professional networking is how many athletic directors are hired. Joining organizations such as the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) or the Collegiate Athletic Directors Association (CADA) will help you connect with peers, mentors, and potential employers.⁵ If you attend networking and sporting events and pursue professional relationships with hiring teams, you will increase your chance of receiving an offer.²

Professional development opportunities allow you to expand your skills and knowledge in areas such as budgeting, fundraising, facility management, and sports law. Attend seminars, webinars, and training programs offered by professional organizations or academic institutions.⁵ Obtaining certifications relevant to athletic administration, like the Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) credential offered by the NIAAA, demonstrates your expertise and commitment to professional excellence in the field.

If your goal is to have a career in sport management, getting an online master’s in sport management* from the University of Kansas can accelerate your journey. This online master’s degree program offers courses specific to the skills one needs to be a successful athletic director. Here are a few course highlights:

• HSES 828 – Sport Finance
• HSES 884 – Legal Aspects of Sport
• HSES 886 – Sport Fundraising
• HSES 801 – Sport Facilities

To learn more about KU’s online sport management master’s program and its industry-focused courses, schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor today.

*This program is a Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) degree in health, sport management, and exercise science with an emphasis in sport management.