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Job overview

Area of Responsibility
Executive Leadership (non AD/Commish)
Type
Full-Time
Location
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Patriot League - Deputy Commissioner/Chief Operating Officer

Patriot LeagueFull-TimeBethlehem, PA

Position Summary:

The Patriot League is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to serve as Deputy Commissioner/Chief Operating Officer (COO). The Deputy Commissioner/COO is a key member of the League's leadership team, responsible for overseeing comprehensive operations and executing strategic initiatives that enhance the League's competitive excellence, operational efficiency, and visibility. This position serves as the primary operational leader, managing day-to-day functions while collaborating with the Commissioner to set organizational vision and ensure effective implementation across all League operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Operations Management

  • Collaborate with the Commissioner to set Patriot League strategy and goals to ensure both are effectively communicated and executed across the league office and membership

  • Manage and streamline internal operations ensuring alignment with the league's strategy and goals

  • Facilitate communication and collaboration across all teams and functions within the office

  • Oversee special projects and strategic initiatives on behalf of the Commissioner

  • Support the Commissioner and governance bodies by leading and coordinating information gathering, research, league meetings, and report/presentation preparation

Championships & Sports Management

  • Provide oversight of all Patriot League regular season operations and championship events across 24 sponsored sports

  • Lead the planning and execution of championships, ensuring excellence in event management and emphasizing the student-athlete experience

  • Lead and facilitate the Sport Management Committee, sport-specific coaches' meetings, and administrative groups

  • Oversee officiating programs and coordinate with conference officials' organizations

  • Develop competitive success strategies and manage scheduling coordination

External Affairs

  • Provide strategic oversight of the external affairs function, including marketing, branding, corporate partnerships, media rights partners, broadcast and digital media, and communications

Engagement Initiatives

  • Oversee comprehensive student-athlete engagement initiatives and programs

  • Serve as Primary liaison to the League’s Commission for Opportunity and Inclusion

Governance

  • Assist the Commissioner with the development and implementation of League policies and procedures

Organizational Leadership

  • Develop, implement, and monitor operational policies and processes to improve efficiency and productivity

  • Support leadership and staff development within the league office, building strong teams and cultivating a positive culture

  • Lead and manage operational departments including championships, sport management, and strategic oversight of external affairs

  • Establish and implement systems to track individual, team, and league-wide goals on a regular basis

  • Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including campus leaders, coaches, partners, and sponsors

Required Education and Experience:

Education

  • Bachelor's degree required

  • Master's degree or advanced professional degree preferred

 

Experience

  • Minimum 8-10 years progressive experience in collegiate athletics administration, conference operations, or related field

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies:

Leadership & Management

  • Strong leadership and team management capabilities

  • Proven ability to develop and execute strategic initiatives

  • Experience managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously

  • Demonstrated success in fostering collaborative, results-oriented culture

Communication & Relationship Building

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

  • Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities

  • Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders including administrators, coaches, student-athletes, and external partners

  • Experience in meeting facilitation and materials development

Operational Excellence

  • Strong organizational and time management skills

  • Excellent analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities

  • Ability to exercise sound judgment and handle sensitive information with discretion

  • Proven ability to take initiative and make sound decisions with little or no direction

  • Knowledge of current trends in college athletics, including digital engagement and NIL

Compensation and Benefits:

  • Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance

  • 403(b) retirement plan via TIAA with a minimum 7% to maximum 11% contribution from the League

  • Accrual, on a monthly basis, of up to 22 days of vacation per year

  • Monthly cell phone and transportation stipends

  • Professional development opportunities

 

Requirements:

  • Travel and evening and weekend work are required

  • The League office offers a flexible work structure; however, the successful candidate will be required to work in-person at the League office in Bethlehem, PA multiple days per week

  • The position requires proof of eligibility to work in the United States, and pre-employment checks including but not limited to social security verification, educational verification, and county and state criminal background checks

Reporting Structure:

  • Reports directly to the Commissioner

  • Supervises multiple departments and staff members including championships and sports management, external affairs, and operational staff

Application Process and Contact Information:

To ensure full consideration for the position, please submit a cover letter, resume and a list of three references with phone numbers and e-mail addresses to: tom@sp-athletics.com no later than July 21, 2025.

  

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

 

About the Patriot League Office:

The role and function of the Patriot League office is to provide programs and services for and on behalf of the member institutions at the campus, conference, and national levels. Working in a collaborative manner with the membership, the League office strives to provide support and a high level of service to the membership in a way that enhances institutional and League-wide efforts related to intercollegiate athletic programs and higher education. The League office is headquartered in downtown Bethlehem, part of the Lehigh Valley in Eastern Pennsylvania. New York City is 70 miles east and Philadelphia is 60 miles south of Bethlehem.

 

About the Patriot League:

The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education. Full League members include American, Army West Point, Boston University, Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh, Loyola Maryland, and Navy. Associate members include Fordham and Richmond in football, Georgetown in both football and women's rowing, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology in women's rowing.

The Patriot League is an Equal Opportunity Employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.

This position description outlines the essential duties and responsibilities of the Deputy Commissioner/Chief Operating Officer and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. The Patriot League reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.