Executive Director of Athletics; Exempt RB#25-557

Buffalo Public Schools•Buffalo, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director of Athletics provides strategic leadership, oversight, and administration of the district’s interscholastic athletic programs. This role ensures that all athletic activities promote student development, academic success, equity, sportsmanship, and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. S/he will incur routine local travel, occasional overnight travel, night and weekend hours. Under direction of the Superintendent, the incumbent works independently using considerable leeway in determining priorities and independent decision-making to accomplish duties and assignments within deadlines. Supervision is exercised over personnel assigned.

Requirements

Master’s degree from a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education, in Education, Sports Management, Athletic Administration, Business or related field
5 years of leadership experience in athletic administration, athletics or any team driven environment preferred.
Thorough Knowledge of student athletics including strategic planning, budgeting, logistics, and leadership
Excellent communication skills with all stakeholders
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Ability to prepare and deliver detailed presentations to a variety of groups
Ability to develop, process, and maintain all required records, reports, and related information
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with parents, students, agencies and the general public
Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in directing and managing scope of authority

Nice To Haves

leadership experience in athletic administration, athletics or any team driven environment

Responsibilities

Provides executive leadership and strategic oversight for the district’s interscholastic athletics program in alignment with the district’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
Ensures for the development and implementation of a comprehensive long-range Athletics Strategic Plan focused on student achievement, equity, facilities modernization, and program sustainability.
Leads the development, coordination, and monitoring of the Athletics Capital Improvement Strategic Plan, including athletic facilities upgrades, modernization initiatives, and long-term infrastructure priorities.
Collaborates with district leadership, facilities, operations and finance departments to prioritize and align athletics-related capital projects with districtwide goals and funding opportunities.
Provides athletics-related support to the contract negotiations team.
Establishes and cultivates strategic partnerships with community organizations, colleges and universities, professional sports organizations, municipal agencies, foundations, and corporate sponsors to expand opportunities for students and enhance district athletics programming, operations, facilities usage, transportation, and equipment procurement.
Identifies, secures, and oversees external funding opportunities, including grants, sponsorships, donations, naming rights, and revenue-generating initiatives that support athletics initiatives.
Advises the Superintendent and Board of Education on athletics-related policies, long-range planning, risk management considerations, and emerging trends impacting urban school athletics programs.
Conducts Board-level presentations.
Leads athletic-related policy review/revision processes.
Ensures for the development and monitoring of districtwide athletics performance indicators, accountability systems, and program evaluation measures to assess operational effectiveness, student participation, equity, and return on investment.
Ensures for districtwide compliance with applicable federal, state, league, and district regulations related to athletics governance, facilities, safety standards, and fiscal accountability.
Provides executive oversight for athletics-related budgeting priorities, resource allocation, and financial sustainability initiatives in collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer and other cabinet leaders.
Ensures for districtwide efforts to expand equitable access to athletics for all students.
Oversees the development of districtwide athletics academic eligibility, branding, marketing, public engagement, and community relations strategies to elevate visibility and stakeholder support.
When necessary, coordinates cross-departmental collaboration among athletics, academics, student support services, facilities, communications, transportation, security, and community engagement departments.
Provides executive leadership during athletics-related crisis management situations, including emergency preparedness, risk mitigation, and public response coordination.
Supports succession planning, leadership development, and organizational capacity-building initiatives within the district’s athletics department.
Monitors national best practices, legal developments, and innovations in athletics administration to guide continuous improvement and strategic decision-making.