Executive Director for Athletic Academic Support

Duke Athletics

Duke Athletics is firmly committed to our values of respect, trust, inclusion, discovery, and excellence, and to continuing our work to be an equitable and inclusive environment for all. Our collective success within and beyond the competitive arena depends on each community member being and feeling welcomed, respected, and valued. Through continuous education, reflection, humility, and accountability, we strive to develop leaders who embody these ideals.

Be You.

Title: Executive Director for Athletic Academic Support.

The Executive Director for Athletic Academic Support provides strategic vision, oversight, and leadership for the Academic Services unit. This person will be a member of the senior staff leadership team and will report to the Deputy Director of Athletics/Student-Athlete Experience. This person will also operate as the primary athletics liaison with campus partners in housing and dining. The role is responsible for fostering a culture of academic excellence, personal growth, leadership development, and holistic well-being for student-athletes while ensuring compliance with institutional, conference, and NCAA standards.

Essential Functions:

• Develop and implement department policies, procedures and best practices for advancing the student athlete academic services unit
• Supervise, mentor and lead the academic support staff (8-9 people)
• Serve as the academic coordinator for one/two teams
• Communicate and collaborate with coaches regarding academic support issues/concerns
• Develop and implement initiatives to strengthen collaboration with faculty and academic units on campus
• Oversee budget for the academic support unit
• Collaborate with other athletic department units when appropriate (Mental Health, Student-Athlete Development, etc.)
• Ensure strong collaboration with campus academic affairs, advising units, faculty athletics representatives, and compliance staff to support student-athlete academic success, eligibility, and retention
• Communicate and collaborate with campus units to advance the student-athlete experience. (Ex: Academic Resource Center, Writing Studio, Testing Center, International House, Housing, Dining, Academic Advising, Access and Accommodations Office, Time Away Office, etc.)
• Prepare required academic performance and graduation reports (APR, GSR, Federal Graduation Rate) in accordance with NCAA and federal guidelines
• Monitor and evaluate academic performance metrics (APR, GPA, retention, graduation success rates) and develop strategies for continuous improvement
• Lead efforts to ensure NCAA, ACC, and institutional academic compliance, including eligibility certification and academic progress requirements
• Analyze academic data and trends to inform strategy and continuous improvement
• Promote a student-centered philosophy that aligns athletic success with academic achievement and personal development.
• Serve as liaison with campus housing and dining

Be Bold.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Three (3) years of supervisory experience
• Experience working within an academic unit as an academic advisor, learning specialist, instructor or counselor

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree sports administration, education, or related field
• Five (5) years of supervision experience overseeing academic support within athletics or campus academics.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse population of students, coaches, and university partners.
• To meet the needs of a unique, diverse group of students, successful candidates must be able to work a flexible schedule.

Anticipated start date: June 2026

Choose Duke.

How to Apply:

Interested Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and list of three references online at careers.duke.edu

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelors degree required, masters degree preferred.

Experience

Requires the ability to manage operational and administrative activities related to the athletics industry, generally acquired through three years of experience in athletics operations, running an athletics department, and/or operations management at a high corporate level. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications

Requires the ability to manage operational and administrative activities related to the athletics industry, generally acquired through three years of experience in athletics operations, running an athletics department, and/or operations management at a high corporate level. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Job Code: 00001193 EXEC DIR, ATHLETICS

Job Level: 15

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $68,970.00 to USD $127,008.00.Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidates work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individuals age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: DAAS@duke.edu; phone: 919-668-1267).