Director of Athletics

Western Michigan University seeks a dynamic, visionary, and relationship-driven Director of Athletics to lead a nationally respected NCAA Division I athletics program and advance its commitment to competitive excellence, student-athlete success, and institutional impact. Reporting directly to the President, the Director of Athletics will provide strategic leadership for all aspects of the department, including championship performance, revenue generation, fundraising, financial stewardship, talent development, and stakeholder engagement. The successful candidate will navigate the rapidly evolving collegiate athletics landscape while fostering a culture of integrity, inclusion, accountability, and collaboration. This leader will serve as a visible ambassador for WMU Athletics, building strong partnerships with student-athletes, coaches, alumni, donors, campus leadership, corporate partners, and the broader community to position Bronco Athletics for sustained success and growth.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.

• Significant senior leadership experience in intercollegiate athletics, professional sports, higher education, or a similarly complex organization.

• Demonstrated success leading large and multifaceted organizations with responsibility for strategic planning, personnel management, and budget oversight.

• Strong business acumen, including experience in finance, revenue generation, marketing, and operational management.

• Deep understanding of the current intercollegiate athletics environment, including NCAA governance, conference operations, NIL, revenue-sharing models, and student-athlete support programs.

• Proven ability to build meaningful relationships with student-athletes, coaches, alumni, donors, sponsors, trustees, campus leaders, and community stakeholders.

• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree.

• Previous Athletics Director experience at the NCAA Division I level.

• Demonstrated fundraising and external-relations success.

• Experience working within a conference-level or national athletics governance environment.

• Track record of leading organizational transformation and navigating periods of significant change.