Appleton, WI – (January 5, 2026) – Lawrence University has retained Collegiate Consulting to assist in its Athletic Director search. Collegiate Consulting will begin the search immediately with posting the job description on different platforms and begin discussions with potential candidates. The search is anticipated to conclude in the next 3-to-5 weeks.
The job description can be found below and interested candidates need to submit application materials to cdawes@collegiateconsulting.com.
A complete application includes a letter of application specifically addressing the applicant’s strengths relative to the qualifications and responsibilities of the position; a current resume; and the names, addresses, and contact information of five professional references. Official transcripts of all college and university coursework will be required of individuals chosen for campus interviews. Submission instructions will be provided to those candidates at that time.
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University boast an undergraduate population of 1,500 students. Lawrence has 437 student-athletes across 24 Division III sports as a member of the Midwest Conference.
Director of Athletics
Full-time 12-month
Reports to: Vice President for Student Life
Lawrence University invites applications for the Director of Athletics. Lawrence University is a leading small private university and conservatory of music located in the heart of Appleton, Wisconsin. Founded in 1847, Lawrence has a long legacy of providing students with a quality liberal arts education in a residential setting that focuses on engaged learning in a supportive community.
Lawrence University seeks an Athletic Director who (1) fosters high standards of integrity, athletic excellence, and academic success; (2) is committed to the growth and advancement of the university (3) is able to hire and direct coaches who are committed to student success on and off the playing field; 4) is able to develop excellent relationships with both internal and external constituents; and (5) has strong management and fiscal skills.
The Director of Athletics is responsible for the successful leadership of all facets of Lawrence University Athletics – the development, planning, implementation, and evaluation of all athletics activities. The Director leads and manages a dynamic department with approximately 40 full and part-time staff, 24 varsity sports, with over 400 scholar-athletes. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing vision and an athletics leadership voice to our campus community; recruitment, retention, and development of coaches and other athletics personnel; budget leadership and management; growing alumni engagement and enhancing fundraising; working with our regional community partners; and overall administration of a NCAA Division III athletics department in accordance with NCAA.
The Director of Athletics provides support to other areas of the university during the implementation of initiatives related to the College’s strategic plan and strategic investments. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Life, the director is responsible for promoting the University as an engaging community and fostering an environment of excellence and success. The director is a visible role model for Lawrence’s values, actively building relationships within the Appleton and greater Fox Valley communities.
Our athletics department is at an inspiring and pivotal moment in our history. In this ever-changing landscape of academically challenging small liberal arts institutions, Lawrence University embraces the importance of providing a high-quality scholar-athlete experience.
Growing our programs through the development our coaches, students, and other athletics personnel both on the field and off is at the core of the expectations for the next athletics director. With a hardworking core of athletics personnel and student-athletes, it is an exciting time as the last four years has seen roster growth, incredible support and resources from the President and the administration, and success in competition that has increased the reputation, and expectations form our athletics teams.
The successful candidate should be ready to capitalize on recent successes and continue the hard work progressing towards our goal of being highly competitive across all of our programs. In addition, the director works closely with the admission office to establish a high-level recruitment strategy to ensure the recruitment of Lawrentian scholar-athletes. The director also partners with the alumni and development and communications offices to further departmental and programmatic goals around fundraising and reputation.
Essential Functions:
- Provide vision and a leadership voice for athletics and the co-curricular experience. Serve as a member of the University’s senior staff team to provide strategic leadership on topics as broad ranging as student recruitment, full integration of the athletics experience on and off the field of play. Work closely with faculty and staff to articulate the importance of athletics in enhancing the personal growth and physical well-being of the entire campus community, particularly student-athletes. As an active member of Lawrence’s senior staff, collaborate with the other senior colleagues regarding student programs of broader interests, community building, and leadership development.
- Deliver leadership and support for all athletics personnel. Recruit, retain, mentor, and manage the coaches and other athletics personnel, including athletic trainers and athletics media relations. Hire, manage, and support all full-time departmental employees by providing leadership and professional development opportunities, complete annual performance reviews of all full-time employees and part-time employees (where appropriate) as well as setting annual appropriate goals and objectives and development plans.
- Create an environment for success on and off the playing field for both the coaches and the student-athletes. Actively promote a culture of sportsmanship among coaches and student-athletes. Ensure and maintain a respectful, supportive environment conducive to the student’s athletic, academic, and personal development and achievement.
- Work closely with the alumni and development office to foster alumni engagement and enhance facility and general athletics fundraising opportunities. Enrich relationships with a strong, passionate athletics alumni base through open communication and by coordinating with the alumni and development office to regularly connect with the alumni and parent advocacy group for athletics. Collaborate on annual fundraising goals and initiatives including the annual crowdfund, capital projects, donor development and annual fundraisers.
- Work collaboratively with the admissions office regarding athletics recruitment to be consistent with the vision and values of the University and its annual enrollment goals. Annually evaluate and hold coaches and students accountable for adherence to academic standards, appropriate conduct, and coaches accountable for enrollment recruitment targets for the various athletics teams.
- Work closely with the student life division as it relates to student-athlete matters and how athletics can enhance the student experience holistically.
- Oversee athletics budgets, prepare annual budgets, approve all spending, and manage institutional funds consistent with established University’s policies and procedures.
- Oversee facility maintenance concerns for all athletics facilities. Engage regularly with facilities and grounds staff on athletics facility repairs and improvements. Oversee the daily operations and management of athletics facilities.
- Train and support the individuals that have game management responsibilities.
- Strengthen public relations and community partnerships. Serve as Lawrence’s external representative for athletics. Enhance visibility of and interest in Lawrence athletics and help promote local investment in athletics-related ventures.
- Responsible for all NCAA compliance regulations. Ensure that the annual filings of NCAA reports are accurate and timely. Provide the President with appropriate due diligence for their signature on such reports.
- Participate in and support institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Antiracism (DEIA) initiatives.
- Participate on the Midwest Conference Athletics and Joint Councils, the NCHA administrative council as it pertains to men’s and women’s ice hockey, and the Midwest Fencing Conference administrative council as it pertains to men’s and women’s fencing.
- Work closely with the faculty athletics representative regarding decisions made by the Midwest Conference, NCHA, Midwest Fencing Conference, and/or the University that are in the best interest of the student-athletes.
- Coordinate conference-related compliance and operations for NAAC affiliate membership.
- Participate on NCAA committees as agreed upon between the director of athletics and the Vice President for Student Life.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Experience and Skills:
- 10+ years of professional work experience in higher education athletics; leading and managing athletics operations, facilities, events, recruitment, compliance, and assessment of collegiate athletics programs.
- A minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience in collegiate athletics administration or a closely related field and a bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree and collegiate coaching experience are strongly preferred.
- The successful candidate will possess a comprehensive understanding of intercollegiate athletics administration, student-athlete development, facilities management and resourcing, NCAA compliance within a Division III environment, and the role of fundraising in supporting strategic and operational objectives.
- Knowledge of best practices related to athletics and NCAA Division III is highly preferred.
- Demonstrated collaborative management approach; ability to provide leadership and supervise staff with a collaborative and relational approach; a track record of outstanding management, open in style and comfortable in a non-hierarchical environment with a commitment to clarity and accountability.
- An understanding of the role of enrollment at a small, private university; a familiarity with program development and assessment; excellent problem-solving abilities; and a high degree of cultural competence demonstrating respect for diversity of identities and experiences.
- Proven strong planning and fiscal competencies; ability to develop and manage annual budget and annual fundraising goals and initiatives.
- Experience hiring, training, and developing coaches, athletic trainers, and other staff; a demonstrated ability to mentor and support staff and provide successful oversight of people; a commitment to DEI in the recruitment and retention of coaches, other staff, and student-athletes.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective partnerships across campus and other senior leaders; a transparent disposition and habit of collaboration; strong interpersonal skills and diplomacy; superb listening and influencing skills; the ability to cultivate and sustain trust and credibility with colleagues; a commitment to engage collaboratively with and be accessible to faculty and other members of the campus community and to respond effectively to their needs and concerns.
- Excellent communication, writing, and presentation skills.
- Unimpeachable integrity and ethics and high standards of excellence.
- Knowledge of FERPA, Title IX, Clery, and HIPPA.
- Strong computer skills and competency in Microsoft Office 360.
- Employment is contingent on successful completion of criminal record check, driving record check, and reference checks.