Assistant Athletic Director

Job description

WHITMAN COLLEGE Located in the historic community of Walla Walla , Whitman’s vibrant and beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, welcoming and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving approximately 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college’s working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO). POSITION PURPOSE The Assistant Athletic Director will support the mission of the College and the Department of Athletics, serve a strategic leadership position in the athletics department, and play an essential role in the institutional/athletics compliance function. This position supports student-athletes and assists coaches and athletics staff in ensuring we meet our obligations under NCAA and NWC rules, maintain our operational integrity, and reduce the risk of NCAA and NWC violations and penalties. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES COMPLIANCE: (50%) Direct, monitor, and ensure compliance with NCAA and Northwest Conference rules and regulations through the administration, interpretation, and implementation of compliance policies and procedures across the athletics department and camps community. Monitor and maintain compliance systems related to recruiting, eligibility, financial aid, playing and practice seasons, awards, and benefits. Serve as the primary liaison with Teamworks and manage and monitor the platform integration, compliance forms, student-athlete records, roster maintenance, and CARA forms in the database. Provides research and interpretation responses for all NCAA bylaws, NWC Conference bylaws, and Sports Procedures Manuals (SPM’s) for coaches, student-athletes, department staff, donors, and college and outside constituents. Review and process compliance-related documentation, including recruiting logs, official/unofficial visits, Countable Athletically Related Activities (CARA) logs, transfer tracers, camps and clinics, and waiver requests. Assist with the certification of student-athlete eligibility and monitoring of academic requirements. Coordinate with the athletics program budget assistant to monitor expenditures for occasional meals, recruiting visits, recruiting travel, and camps. Provide education and rules interpretation to coaches, student-athletes, faculty, staff, and other college entities responsible for compliance with NCAA legislation. Review and coordinate the investigation and reporting of known and/or alleged rules violations with the Director of Athletics and other campus constituents, as necessary. Work collaboratively with campus departments, including Financial Aid, Admissions, Registrar, Academic Affairs, and Human Resources, on areas related to compliance and eligibility matters. Maintain accurate compliance records and assist with NCAA and NWC Conference reporting requirements, such as sports sponsorship, graduation rates, rules certification, national and NWC academic honors, and financial aid reports. Attend NCAA Regional Rules seminars and NWC compliance meetings. RECRUITING: (25%) Lead and coordinate compliance efforts related to recruiting, admissions, campus visits, and the certification and monitoring of initial and continuing eligibility for all prospective and current student-athletes. Manage transfer student-athlete eligibility and transfer portal processes, working directly with Admissions and the Registrar's Office to review academic records, certify eligibility, and ensure compliance. Oversee international prospective student-athlete monitoring processes and serve as the primary liaison with the NCAA Eligibility Center and Whitman College's International Student and Scholar Support Services office to support admissions, academic credential evaluation, and initial eligibility certification. Monitor playing and practice season declarations, countable athletically related activities, outside competitions, and summer league participation. Oversight of student-athlete participation reports for practices, scrimmages, exhibitions, and competitions as it relates to eligibility usage and medical/mental health waivers. Participates in enrollment planning discussions, yield strategies, and metrics for recruiting efforts with seventeen varsity programs. Assist with recruiting efforts and outreach for Athletics and Club Sports if and when needed. STUDENT ATHLETE SUPPORT & RETENTION: (15%) Monitors academic progress and works with student-athletes, faculty advisors, and academic support services on eligibility standards, requirements, and academic progress. Provide education to faculty and staff who work with student-athletes to develop course schedules that meet NCAA and institutional progress towards degree requirements. Oversee a robust academic monitoring program to guide and collaborate with campus constituents to ensure effective academic advisement, tutoring, appeals process guidance, and communication as needed with the Registrar’s office, the Board of Review, and the Associate Dean. Collaborate with the Dean of Students Office and serve as a member of the CARE team to assess, intervene, and provide timely resources and support for students with needs. Assist with departmental initiatives such as Inclusive Excellence, Mental Health, Athletes for Consent Education, Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and other areas of programming. Serve as co-advisor to the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). INTERNAL OPERATIONS: (10%) Assist the Director of Athletics in the day-to-day operations of the department. Assist the Director of Athletics with the annual review of Title IX compliance and equitable best practices. Serve as a game-day administrator for athletic and department events. Assists with athletics programming, awards recognition, WClub events, and fundraising initiatives. Coordinate award recognition events, including Celebration of Champions and post-season honors. Provide leadership and planning for fan engagement and community outreach regarding partnerships. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES Must be able to explain and/or demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Specifically, Demonstrated knowledge and ability to work within the framework of Whitman College policies, NWC regulations, and NCAA Division III rules. Ability to maintain a proficient level of knowledge and understanding of NWC and NCAA legislation through continuing education and professional development. Ability to plan, organize, and execute day-to-day operations and to work under deadlines with detailed documentation and a highly confidential approach. Familiarity and integrity in support of the NCAA Division III rules and the scholar-athlete philosophy. Knowledge and appreciation of liberal arts education. Professional Engagement – ability to develop positive, professional relationships with officials, league personnel, and coaching colleagues. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, parents, and alumni from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Excellent and effective communication skills (both verbal and written). Ability to work nights, weekends and holidays. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. 2+ years or more of demonstrated administrative work in intercollegiate athletics or a related field. OR a combination of relevant education, training, and experience. Whitman College values diverse pathways to acquiring skills and knowledge and encourages applicants to demonstrate how their background aligns with the role. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Master’s degree. Experience with NCAA Compliance Rules and Regulations. Please note that while the description details both required and preferred qualifications, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have all of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. WORKING CONDITIONS This position may be required to work nights, weekends and holidays. BENEFITS Whitman College offers a competitive benefits program that is designed to attract qualified candidates and retain talented employees. Benefit offerings and eligibility described reflect current offerings and may be subject to change in accordance with College policies and plan documents. Full-time employees enjoy the following benefits: Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances. Basic life , accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage. 403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a matching contribution after eligibility requirements ar e met. Paid Time Off: 20 accrued vacation days , 12 accrued sick days , 13 paid holidays . Tuition Remission – Dependent Children Employee tuition waiver for two Whitman courses per semester. Employee Assistance Program Relocation assistance for eligible employees. Learn more about benefits eligibility here . DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR JOB CANDIDATES Contact Human Resources regarding requests for disability accommodation in the employment application process. APPLICATION REVIEW Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. START DATE August 2026