Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations, UM Athletics

Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations, UM Athletics

Salary:
Location: Missoula Mountain Campus

Job Type: UM Campus Only

Job Number: 202400764

Sector:
Department: Athletics, University of Montana

Closing Date: 8/18/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA: Exempt

Bargaining Unit:

Description

Campus-Only Recruitment

Only current UM Employees* are eligible.

*Open to all employee types including Temporary Staff and Student Employees.

Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations

Current University of Montana employees are encouraged to apply for the leadership opportunity of Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations. This leadership opportunity is responsible for guiding the planning, management, and continuous improvement of athletics facilities, event operations, capital projects, and operational services that support Grizzly Athletics. Reporting to the Director of Athletics, the Associate Athletic Director works collaboratively with coaches, staff, campus partners, and external stakeholders to ensure athletics facilities and events operate safely, efficiently, and at a championship level.

This position offers the opportunity to build on existing leadership experience while helping shape the future of Grizzly Athletics through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to exceptional service for student-athletes, coaches, fans, and the campus community. The Associate Athletic Director leads a diverse team of approximately eight (8) to ten (10) full-time employees, along with part-time and student employees. You will play a key role in developing staff, strengthening operations, and supporting the success of student-athletes, coaches, and the campus community.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative leader who enjoys solving complex challenges, building strong relationships, and continuously improving operations to enhance both the student-athlete and fan experience.

Athletic Department employees and those University employees outside the Athletic Department with NCAA rules compliance responsibilities are subject at all times to NCAA Bylaws 10.1 and 11.1 regarding ethical conduct and the responsibility to positively contribute to a campus culture of NCAA rules compliance. Failure to conduct oneself as such will result in disciplinary or corrective action up to and including immediate discharge.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct the daily operation, maintenance, scheduling, and long-term planning of athletics venues, practice facilities, offices, and support spaces
• Lead capital improvement projects, facility renovations, deferred maintenance initiatives, and long-range facility planning in collaboration with campus partners and external contractors
• Oversee game-day and special event operations, including staffing, security, logistics, parking, credentialing, broadcast coordination, and fan experience
• Develop and administer operational and capital budgets while identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency and service delivery
• Ensure compliance with NCAA, conference, University, ADA, OSHA, and other applicable regulations governing facilities, operations, and event management
• Lead risk management and emergency preparedness efforts by coordinating with campus and community partners to promote safe environments for student-athletes, employees, and visitors
• Serve as the primary operational liaison with campus departments, conference offices, municipal agencies, contractors, and other external partners
• Support NCAA and conference championship hosting, postseason events, and compliance reviews through effective operational planning and execution
• Evaluate facilities, events, and operational processes to identify opportunities for innovation, continuous improvement, and exceptional customer service
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Athletics Department’s mission

Minimum Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in facilities management, operations, event management, project management, or a closely related field, including experience leading people, projects, budgets, or complex operations
• Demonstrated understanding of complex facilities or event operations, or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge of Division I athletics operations and event management
• Ability to learn and apply NCAA legislation, conference policies, and championship hosting requirements
• Demonstrated financial management experience, including budget development, fiscal oversight, or capital planning
• Demonstrated leadership, project management, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to build collaborative partnerships across campus and with external constituents
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to respond effectively in high-pressure or emergency situations
• Commitment to student-athlete welfare and customer service excellence
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn facility scheduling, work order, and event management software

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience overseeing capital construction or major facility renovation projects
• Certification in CPR, AED, and First Aid

Additional Information

Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, MUS Contract and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Application Deadline: Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

Screening applications will begin after the closing date.

A complete application includes:

• Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position
• Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
• Professional references will be requested at the time of interview selection

The University of Montana is interested in receiving applications from people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always”; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story

The Affiliation of the University of Montana (UM Affiliation) is an equal opportunity employer. UM Affiliation does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM’s non-discrimination policy and any applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. UM partners with SkillSurvey for reference checking. Applicants may receive emails from SkillSurvey to submit reference information.

Testing: Individual hiring departments within the UM Affiliation may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM and all affiliated campuses, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Due to the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation and related guidance from USCIS and the Department of State, the University may be limited in its ability to offer H-1B sponsorship. At this time, we are unable to sponsor new H-1B visas that require payment of the additional fee introduced by the Proclamation.

To apply, please visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/ummissoula/jobs/5438887/associate-athletic-director-for-facilities-and-operations-um-athletics

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