Director of Athletics and Chair of Physical Education
Bryn Mawr College
Director of Athletics and Chair of Physical Education
Bryn Mawr is a distinguished women’s college, educating students to the highest standard of excellence to prepare them for lives of purpose. The College’s rigorous liberal arts curriculum and distinguished graduate programs foster a thirst for knowledge, open inquiry, global perspectives, civic engagement, and innovation through study across the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. As a residential women’s college at the undergraduate level, and through coeducational graduate programs in arts and sciences, in social work, and in post-baccalaureate premedical training, Bryn Mawr is committed to women’s education and empowerment, to gender equity, and to supporting all students who choose to pursue their studies. The College’s 135-acre campus near Philadelphia is home to over 1,300 undergraduate students.
Bryn Mawr athletics is a member of the NCAA Division III Centennial Conference and Seven Sisters. The athletics program supports 12 varsity teams, a physical education program requiring all students to complete six credits for graduation, and an array of wellness and recreational club sports.
The Position
Reporting to the provost, the director of athletics and chair of physical education provides vision, strategic direction, and administrative leadership for a strong physical education curriculum, a thriving intercollegiate athletic program, and various recreational opportunities. The director and chair will further the goals, values, and mission of the College with particular attention paid to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, along with a strong commitment to social responsibility.
The new director and chair will be responsible for continuing to enhance the competitiveness of a Division III intercollegiate athletics program that is embedded in a strong liberal arts, academically centered learning environment. As an institutional partner, the director and chair provides leadership to staff and faculty coaches and works collaboratively and productively with academic affairs, the dean of the college, and health and counseling around institutional health and wellness priorities. The director and chair works collaboratively with coaches and the office of admission on the recruitment of scholar-athletes; will continue developing relationships with alumnae, particularly in support of the athletics program; and will encourage and promote an inclusive community among all students, departmental faculty, and staff.
The director and chair leads and manages an organization with an annual budget of approximately $1.3 million, 12 varsity sports, over 200 scholar-athletes, and almost 40 full and part-time positions throughout the department. Representing the College and the interests of scholar-athletes, coaches, and staff in service to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Centennial Conference is also an important responsibility of the director and chair.
Qualifications
A master’s degree and significant, progressive professional experience leading a complex, dynamic, and diverse athletic department within an academic setting is preferred. The successful candidate will possess a comprehensive understanding of intercollegiate athletics administration, student-athlete development, NCAA compliance within a Division III environment, and the role of fundraising in supporting strategic and operating objectives. A collaborative management approach, coupled with superior communication and relationship-building skills, vital planning and fiscal competencies, an understanding of the role of enrollment at a small, private college, a familiarity with program development and assessment, excellent problem-solving abilities, an appreciation for physical education programming that reaches an entire student body, and a commitment to diversity and inclusiveness will be important considerations in the selection of the next director of athletics and chair of physical education.
Application and Nomination
Review of applications will begin April 12, 2022, and continue until the position is filled. Applications, including a position-specific cover letter and resume, may be submitted online at www.spelmanjohnson.com/open-positions. Nominations for this position may be emailed to Dell D. Robinson at ddr@spelmanjohnson.com or Anne-Marie Kenney at amk@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895.
Visit the Bryn Mawr College website at https://www.brynmawr.edu/
Bryn Mawr College is an equal opportunity employer. Applications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability.