Director of Division II Governance and Member Services Programs and Initiatives

To collaborate with the managing director and vice president of Division II in managing the Division II governance and member services structure and issues affecting Division II, particularly in the area of Division II membership.  Further, lead and oversee multiple Division II programs and initiatives developed and executed by Division II governance and member services to support the Division II membership.

Job Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the managing director and vice president of Division II in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives and policies designed to fulfill the mission, philosophy and strategic position of Division II.
• Serve as a director providing oversight for Division II membership requirements, including associated interpretations and waivers and serving as the primary liaison to the Division II Membership Committee. Lead in assisting internal and external stakeholders in understanding DII membership legislation and policy, related interpretations and waivers. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 
  • Provide counsel to NCAA senior leaders, DII GMS vice president and managing director on high profile, complex DII membership legislative, interpretive issues and waivers. 
  • Proactively identify issues for communication to other national office departments, such as the office of legal affairs, public media relations, enforcement and communications. 
  • Oversee the development, training and performance of the Division II GMS membership team responsible for interpreting legislation and handling requests to waive institutional and conference membership requirements, sport sponsorship and other membership rules. 
  • When appropriate, collaborate with other NCAA staff and departments to gather subject matter expertise in the decision-making process, enhance existing processes, amend policies and consider legislative changes. 
  • Oversight of the requirements of member schools to complete the health and safety survey and financial reporting documents.
• Serve as the director providing oversight for DII GMS’s education efforts and initiatives. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Create DII GMS education vision and goals.
• Provide day-to-day oversight and delivery of DII GMS’s education efforts and initiatives, including coordinating with internal and external constituencies.
• Oversee a team charged the developing, managing, and monitoring DII GMS education-specific priorities and vice-presidential priorities.
• When appropriate, collaborate with other NCAA staff and departments to gather ideas and feedback to enhance existing processes and to deliver education to both internal and external constituents.
• Update DII GMS vice president and managing director on issues related to DII GMS education.
• Oversight and lead staff in the implementation and conducting of Division II membership-facing initiatives and programs, including:
• NCAA and Division II Athletics Directors Association (DII ADA) Mentoring Program.
• Division II-Specific APPLE Training Institute.
• Division II Award of Excellence. Oversee promotion of the award, nominations and selection process.
• Division II Connection Program.
• Division II Degree Completion Program.
• Division II Opportunity Grants.
• Division II Enhanced Attendance at the NCAA Impact Forum.
  • Division II Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) Institute and Division II FAR Advanced Leadership Institute.
• Division II Professional Development Workshop.
• Minority Opportunities Athletics Association (MOAA)/Division II Governance Academy.
• Division II/National Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC) Professional Development Workshop for Compliance Administrators.
• Division II New Athletics Directors Orientation.
• Women Leaders in Sports/Division II Governance Academy. Work with Women Leaders in Sports’ staff, panelists, and speakers. 
• Oversight of the Institutional Performance Program, Compliance Blueprint program and compliance assistant for Division II.
• Work with the DII GMS Unit Fiscal Officer (UFO) to oversee the division’s day-to-day budget management and work closely with NCAA financial liaison to maintain accuracy of the budget and report budget projections and results to vice president of Division II and the NCAA chief financial officer.
• Attend meetings of the Division II Management Council and Division II Executive Board and provide leadership, as needed.
• Participate in the Division II conference contact program, assisting conferences in the understanding of applicable NCAA legislation and interpretations and delivering governance and member services information to conferences.
• Serve as a liaison to Division II connection groups, specifically for baseball, football and wrestling
• Serve as a team lead for interpretations and waivers.
• Assist the Division II membership, NCAA staff and other interested individuals and organizations in understanding NCAA legislation and interpretations through telephone calls, written correspondence and in-person presentations.
• As needed, process Division II student-athlete reinstatement, legislative relief and academic waivers and assist member institutions in the waiver process.
• Assist with the Division II Convention planning process, including the coordination of educational sessions, affiliate meetings and the business session.
• Represent the NCAA and the Division II governance and member services staff through participation as a presenter at various staff, Association, conference and professional organizations’ meetings and particularly with the American Football Coaches Association.
• Serve as a member of the Division II Governance and Member Services leadership team.
• Serve as a member of the Division II Cross Department Leadership Team and participate in meetings.
• Supervise assigned personnel (e.g., conducting regular one-on-ones, completing the annual performance management process.)
• As directed by the vice president of Division II, provide internal service and support to the national office initiatives and functions.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the vice president of Division II.

Job Requirements

• Education Required: Bachelor's degree required; Advanced degree preferred.
• A minimum of five years of experience in intercollegiate athletics, higher education, and/or in policy development.
• Governance support and analysis as a senior-level administrator is required.
• Excellent analytical, verbal and writing skills.
• Ability to identify, understand, articulate and advocate (verbally and in writing) multiple perspectives on an issue is essential.
• Ability to think strategically and forecast future developments and impact of policy and operational directives and decisions is essential.
• Ability to anticipate creative opportunities for collaboration, foster dialogue and contribute to new, positive approaches is
• A minimum of three years of management and/or supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience handling confidential and sensitive materials required.
• Working knowledge of governance support (e.g. committee support) is preferred.
• Candidate must demonstrate the interest and ability to adapt to a changing environment in which innovation, customer service and improved processes are constantly at the forefront of all work.
• Estimated Travel Required
• This position will be based out of the national office in Indianapolis, Indiana. Current work environment is hybrid; 2 days in the office and 3 days are remote.

Key Competencies

• Effective Communication: Can exchange ideas, thoughts, opinions, knowledge and data so that the message is understood with clarity and purpose.
• Stakeholder Focus: Dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders, gets first-hand stakeholder information and uses it for improvements in products and services, acts with stakeholders in mind, establishes and maintains effective relationships with stakeholders and gains their trust and respect through honesty, integrity, authenticity and inclusivity.
• Critical Thinking: Ability to examine issues and ideas and to identify good and bad reasoning in a variety of fields with differing assumptions, contents, and methods.
• Motivating Others: Creates a climate in which people want to do their best, can motivate many kinds of direct reports and team or project members, can assess each person's hot button and use it to get the best out of him/her, pushes tasks and decisions down, empowers others, invites input from each person and shares ownership and visibility, makes each individual feel his/her work is important, is someone people like working for and with.
• Managerial Courage: Provides current, direct, complete, and "actionable" positive and corrective feedback to others, lets people know where they stand, faces up to people problems on any person or situation quickly and directly, is not afraid to take negative action when necessary.

Core Values

• LEADERSHIP| We actively listen and continually strive to provide vital solutions, counsel and advocacy for student-athletes and intercollegiate athletics.
• INCLUSION| We seek and incorporate different perspectives and experiences to drive innovation and impact.
• COMMUNICATION| We commit to an environment of openness to build trust and make timely decisions.
• COLLABORATION| We work together, based on mutual respect, to lead and serve our stakeholders.
• ACCOUNTABILITY| We take ownership for our actions and results to add value every day.