Deputy Commissioner / Senior Woman Administrator
Description: The Southland Conference (SLC), based in suburban north Dallas and serving twelve NCAA Division I member institutions in Texas and Louisiana, seeks a qualified and enthusiastic individual for the Deputy Commissioner – Senior Woman Administrator position.
Under the supervision of the Commissioner, the selected candidate shall serve as an essential member of the SLC Senior Staff and SLC Advisory Council. The role will be responsible for day-to-day oversight of 16 Southland Sports and serve as a staff liaison to the Conference’s senior woman administrators and other subgroups as necessary. The selected candidate will also have senior oversight of the Southland Conference Championships, Operations, and Student-Athlete Engagement departments. This will include but is not limited to supervision of all sports administrators assigned to oversee Olympic sports, providing proactive and first-class service to the membership’s head coaches’ groups and sports administrators, successful administration of championship events, facilitation and creating conference schedules for nine conference sports, oversight of conference officiating programs, conference awards program and developing a strategic plan for the growth trajectory, inclusive of the student-athlete experience, revenue generation, and competitive excellence for all Southland sports and championships.
The selected candidate will provide leadership in guiding and executing conference meeting facilitation, including developing meeting agendas, minutes, and reports. The candidate will also implement innovative strategies and standard operating procedures to support the collaborative success of Southland sports. The candidate will also support the Commissioner by overseeing various special projects and conference committees to be determined.
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Serve as the primary sport administrator for men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and volleyball, including, but not limited to, developing competitive success strategies, scheduling, interaction with the NCAA, peer conference administrators, and coaching staff, officiating, coaches’ meetings, and senior oversight of the Southland Conference Basketball Tournaments.
Sport Administration:
Act as the primary administrator for designated sports, including men’s and women’s basketball.
Develop and implement competitive strategies, oversee scheduling, and liaise with NCAA and peer conference administrators.
Manage officiating assignments and conduct regular meetings with coaches to address sport-specific matters.
Championship Oversight:
Lead the planning and execution of Southland Conference championships, ensuring excellence in event management and student-athlete experience.
Collaborate with host institutions to coordinate logistics, marketing, and community engagement for championship events.
Student-Athlete Engagement:
Oversee SLC Student-Athlete Engagement, fostering open communication between student-athletes and conference leadership.
Develop programs and initiatives that support student-athlete development, leadership, and well-being, and oversee the SLC postgraduate awards program
Create student-athlete engagement initiatives (e.g., career programming, NIL education programs, community service activities, etc.).
Governance and Compliance:
Participate in the development and implementation of conference policies and procedures.
Ensure compliance with NCAA regulations and advocate for institutional adherence to governance standards.
Lead the annual review and evaluation of the Conference’s Operating Code, incorporating feedback and proposed amendments from coaches’ committees, the advisory council, and the board of directors to ensure policies remain current, effective, and aligned with Conference goals.
Equity and Inclusion:
Champion gender equity and diversity within the conference, aligning with NCAA’s commitment to inclusive excellence.
Review and contribute to the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) reports and Title IX compliance efforts.
Strategic Leadership:
Contribute to the conference’s strategic planning, focusing on enhancing the competitive stature and operational efficiency of Southland sports.
Lead special projects and initiatives as assigned by the Commissioner, addressing emerging trends and opportunities in collegiate athletics
General Knowledge:
Demonstrated record of strong budget management.
Excellent organizational and communication skills
Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment to handle internal and external confidential matters and materials with discretion
Analyze situations and SOPs, identify problems, and implement solutions.
Able to lead and facilitate group meetings.
Excellent analytical, decision-making, organizational, and project management of tactical and strategic initiatives.
Effective and professional communication, both orally and in writing.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree required.
Master’s or advanced/professional degree(s) preferred.
Eight or more years of experience in collegiate athletics or a related field is required, and proficiency in sports administration and directing championship events is preferred.
Other Information: Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. The position requires travel, along with availability to work on weeknights and weekends. The Conference provides a comprehensive benefits package. Review of applicants will begin immediately, with an anticipated start date no later than May 26, 2025.
Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Submit cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to: SWA Candidate Link
Any interested candidates should contact Renaissance Search & Consulting directly. Contacting the Southland Conference will only delay consideration of your qualifications.