Utah State University Vice President & Director of Athletics
About Utah State University
Utah State University (USU), founded in 1888 as the Agricultural College of Utah, is a premier land- and space-grant institution in Logan, Utah. Rebranded as Utah State University in 1957, USU has remained true to its roots and responsibility to “educate the state,” maintaining a presence in every county in Utah with eight statewide campuses, twenty-three statewide education centers, and over 30 Extension locations. As a Carnegie-recognized R1 institution, USU is committed to empowering all people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact while championing exceptional education, research and discovery, and community contribution. The Logan metropolitan area was named the Top Small City in the U.S. by the 2022 Milken Institute Best Performing Cities analysis and the Best City to Live in the West by Business Insider in June 2020.
USU Athletics (the Aggies) sponsors sixteen varsity programs that will compete in the Mountain West Conference during the 2025-26 athletics season and the Pac-12 starting July 1, 2026. USU Athletics seeks to guide, strengthen and support student-athletes as they strive for excellence academically, athletically, and socially. More than anything else, USU Athletics develops graduates, community leaders, and lifelong friends of the university. Seven core values define and govern the department’s actions: Trustworthiness, Respect, Unity, Excellence, Accountability, Great Attitude, and Service.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Utah State Vice President and Director of Athletics (AD) is responsible for the administration and development of a competitive and respected Division I intercollegiate athletic program, providing leadership for a department of 126 coaches and staff dedicated to the development of 375 student-athletes across 16 varsity programs. As a member of the President’s Cabinet and reporting directly to the President, the AD provides oversight of strategic planning, fiscal affairs, staffing, fundraising, athletics facilities, regulatory compliance, and general operations while also working closely with multiple internal and external constituencies to advance the University’s mission, strategic objectives, and goals. The AD represents Utah State University and the Athletics department with integrity while ensuring compliance with University, NCAA and Mountain West Conference policies and in guiding USU’s transition to the PAC 12 Conference, fosters a positive, welcoming and respectful culture of belonging and promotes the role of athletics in the USU and Logan communities.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provide leadership for all aspects of the intercollegiate athletics programs of the university, including matters pertaining to personnel, academic and athletic success, budget, facilities, operations, events, fundraising, compliance and student-athlete welfare and development.
Responsible for the strategic planning, marketing, and program development of the Athletics department.
Develop and manage the department’s operational budget and financial affairs.
Build and manage a strategic budget and resource plans for the Athletics program.
Serve as a member of the president’s senior administrative staff, fulfilling responsibilities as assigned by the President.
Identify, recruit, hire, support, and evaluate head coaches in all sixteen varsity sports.
Manage the athletic facilities and direct athletic events.
Ensure full compliance with NCAA rules, conference policies, and university standards.
Ensure the academic excellence and integrity of student-athletes.
Develop funds for the department and collaborate with donors.
Commit to collaboration with other leaders across campus, including the President’s Cabinet and Board of Trustees, the student body and the broader Logan community, to continue to enhance the reputation and quality of the university and Aggie Athletics.
Support and promote a welcoming and respectful environment for staff, coaches, and every student-athlete. Foster an environment where every Aggie feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Represent the University nationally to the NCAA and Mountain West Conference and in USU’s transition to the PAC 12 Conference.
Serve as a highly visible champion for USU athletics, effectively recruit prospective student-athletes and their families and partner with USU’s advancement staff to form strong relationships with benefactors and effectively fundraise for the school.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
A Bachelor’s Degree is required with a Master’s Degree strongly preferred.
Equivalent to five years of progressively responsible experience in a senior athletic administration position required.
Prior NCAA Division I collegiate or professional athletics experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Master’s degree is preferred.
Ten or more years of successful managerial experience with evidence of increased responsibility over time in collegiate athletics. Senior leadership roles preferred.
Working knowledge of NCAA Division I athletics programs and what is required to achieve success at that level within the changing policy landscape. Experience dealing with issues such as NIL, transfer portal, conference realignment, Transformation Committee, revenue share, and student-athlete mental health and wellness.
Strategic thinker with a vision for long-term success while balancing the University’s institutional mission, identity, and goals.
Experience with conference realignment and commitment to guiding USU into a new era of athletic competitiveness within the Pac-12 conference.
Comprehensive knowledge and experience with NCAA Division I and FBS athletics programs.
Demonstrated experience and success in building and leading an effective administrative team, including identifying, recruiting, hiring, evaluating, and retaining staff to support the Athletics Director, coaches, and student-athletes.
Knowledge and experience with NCAA, conference and university compliance standards.
Significant senior-level management experience, including experience with financial strategy, budgets, strategic planning, program development, facilities, operations, events personnel, academics, compliance and student-athlete welfare and development.
Excellent organizational, management, planning and marketing skills.
Evidence of high integrity and ethical standards.
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex topics in a transparent, open, and honest manner.
Strong interpersonal and public relation skills, including the ability to build relationships of trust and to collaborate with the public and internal and external stakeholders, including university leadership, academic colleges, student affairs, the Board of Trustees, fans, and donors.
Evidence of strong community relationships or the ability to build strong community relationships, including federal, state and local government and key community organizations and groups.
Demonstrated ability to represent the institution with professionalism and knowledge.
Proven capability to manage multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines.
Demonstrated ability and strong commitment to fundraising, including strengthening existing donor relationships, cultivating new donor relationships and improving the overall donor experience.
Proven business acumen and resource planning skills. Demonstrate an innovative approach to growing visibility, resources and recognition for a broad-based program that values all sports, including Olympic sports, and student-athletes.
Be highly student-centered in all decision-making; demonstrated commitment to supporting student-athlete health and safety as well as their academic, athletic, personal, and professional success.
Demonstrated ability to create and support a holistic approach to student-athlete welfare and development, including mental health, wellness, leadership development, life-skills programming, and career readiness.
Demonstrated commitment to fostering a respectful and welcoming culture that values all individuals and perspectives.
Evidence of effective leadership and the ability to manage and motivate others in a manner that values and supports individuals from all backgrounds and experiences.
Demonstrated success in managing a multi-million-dollar budget.
Established record of achievement in the areas of marketing, promotions, and capital projects. Demonstrated ability to leverage media, marketing, and content strategy to enhance the visibility of all USU Athletics on the national stage.
APPLICATIONS: The position will remain open until filled; applicants are encouraged to submit a cover letter and resume electronically. The search committee will begin reviewing applications on August 27, 2025. No hard copy applications will be accepted. Nominations for the position and questions concerning the job requirements or hiring process should be directed to: Marcy Lanoue, mlanoue@csasearch.consulting .
SALARY: Commensurate with experience.