Athletic Director

Position Details

Athletic Director – Winston-Salem State University (WSSU)

Application Process details and contact information are provided by the search firm assisting the University. Applications must include a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, and a list of references. For full consideration, materials should be submitted to Parker Executive Search's website by March 11, 2026. Confidential review will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made.

Reporting to the Chancellor, the Athletic Director will serve as a visionary and strategic leader responsible for elevating WSSU Athletics to new levels of excellence. The Director will provide strategic leadership, oversight, and innovation, strengthening the University’s athletic identity while fostering holistic student-athlete development. Responsibilities include managing resources, overseeing facilities, cultivating alumni and donor relationships, enhancing the department’s brand, and maintaining compliance with NCAA, CIAA, Title IX, and state and institutional policies.

The Director will partner with Chancellor Bonita Brown and university leadership to ensure athletics programs support the University’s mission of academic achievement, leadership development, and community impact.

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic planning for WSSU Athletics, aligning with the University’s mission and strategic plan.
• Partner with the Chancellor and university leadership to drive cross-campus initiatives that integrate athletics with institutional priorities.
• Champion the holistic development of student-athletes, prioritizing academics, wellness, personal growth, and leadership alongside competitive success.
• Lead with integrity, accountability, and professionalism, fostering a culture of excellence, respect, and collaboration among staff, coaches, and student-athletes.
• Develop, recruit, mentor, and retain a talented team of coaches and administrators, providing professional development opportunities and promoting collaboration and excellence.
• Oversee all aspects of athletics operations, including budgeting, facilities management, game and event management, scheduling, marketing and media relations, ticket sales, sponsor ships, fundraising, and general operations.
• Ensure full compliance with NCAA Division II, CIAA, Title IX, and state and institutional regulations, maintaining high ethics and integrity standards.
• Partner with university offices to align athletics with recruitment, retention, and student support strategies.
• Develop and execute fundraising and revenue generation strategies, including alumni engagement, booster clubs, corporate partnerships, and philanthropic support.
• Represent WSSU Athletics regionally and nationally, enhancing the University’s visibility, reputation, and community partnerships.
• Leverage athletics facilities for institutional impact and community engagement, maximizing game-day experiences and year-round usage.
• Implement data-driven approaches to track team performance, student-athlete academic success, departmental efficiency, and operational effectiveness.
• Establish KPIs and performance benchmarks and provide regular updates to University leadership.
• Oversee risk management, emergency preparedness, and compliance strategies to ensure safety of student-athletes, staff, and assets.
• Lead initiatives to modernize and innovate athletic programming, facilities, and operations, maintaining a competitive advantage.
• Support initiatives that enhance student-athlete engagement, retention, and leadership development, including mentorship programs and campus integration.

Application materials should be submitted to Parker Executive Search’s website by March 11, 2026. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. For additional information, please contact:

• Daniel Parker, Vice President and Managing Director
• DeLaina Sarden, Principal
• Khristian Carr, Executive Recruiting Coordinator
• |
• Parker Executive Search,  ext. 119 |  ext. 134

Note: All materials submitted will be handled confidentially during the search…