Director of Athletics

About Baldwin Wallace University

BW is an independent, liberal arts and sciences university located in Berea, Ohio, offering bachelor's and master's degrees, certificates, and professional education programs.

A welcoming, supportive community…it’s in BW’s DNA. In 1845, more than 15 years before the Civil War, BW was founded as one of the first colleges in the nation to admit students without regard to race or gender. Today, students find that spirit of inclusiveness has flourished and evolved into a personalized approach to education: one that fosters individual growth as students learn to learn, experience new ideas and prepare for the certainty of change.

City or suburb?...BW provides the best of both worlds. A student at BWU does not have to choose between the two. The BWU location, in an historic, residential community with miles of recreational parkland, is just 20 minutes from the thriving business, cultural and sports center of Cleveland. The perfect environment to facilitate liberal arts learning and practical career preparation, providing easy access to internships and field experiences for almost every interest.

BW provides small classes, big opportunities….BW is the right size for student success. After 175 years, BW is still characterized by leadership and innovation in education and great blend that provides liberal arts and sciences, plus professional skills, prepare for student’s career agility.

Points of Pride

The Institution

• Founded in 1845, BW was one of the first colleges to admit students without regard to race or gender — a spirit of inclusiveness which continues today.
• For 27 straight years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked BW among the Midwest's Best Universities.
• BW is highly ranked by Washington Monthly, Forbes, Kiplinger, The Economist and Money magazine.
• BW continues to earn high marks for affordable excellence in rankings designed to help families find the right college fit.
• The University's commitment to sustainability was rewarded in 2019 with the prestigious STARS Silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
• A distinctive collection of programs, spearheaded by the BW Center for Innovation & Growth, fosters entrepreneurship skills to prepare students for innovation and career agility.
• BW is ranked among the "Top Workplaces in Northeast Ohio," a distinction that recognizes "area employers who are doing it right" as determined by their own employees.

The Students

• 90% of BW graduates find employment or enter the graduate school of choice within six months of graduation.
• 47% of alumni report earning a graduate degree during their lifetime.
• Each year, BW students contribute more than 5,000 hours of service to the Greater Cleveland area through BW's community engagement programs. Also, BW students contribute 5,000+ hours outside the region on BW-sponsored Alternative Break trips.
• 68% BW graduates choose to remain in Ohio.

The first-year student profile from the Fall 2020 includes a freshman class of 659 students consisting of 54% female, 46% male with 34% of students being first-generation students:

• 25% from outside Ohio
• Top states represented: Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania
• 32 total states represented
• 76% of undergraduate student body are campus residents

Yellow Jacket Athletics

BWU sponsors 24 NCAA Division III intercollegiate programs and is a member of the Ohio Athletic Conference. One out of every five undergraduates at BW are student-athletes.

The Yellow Jacket athletic teams have demonstrated a long-standing tradition of excellence in the classroom and in athletic competition.

• Since 1969-70, BW has 124 all-time CoSIDA Academic All-Americans — most in Ohio and 11th nationally among NCAA Division III colleges.
• Women's Cross Country: 2019 NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional champions.
• Men's Wrestling: Four straight Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) championships.
• Women's Basketball: 29 consecutive winning seasons and four "Elite 8" appearances.
• Women's Track & Field: 2016 NCAA Division III Women's Indoor national champions and 2016 NCAA Division III Women's Outdoor runner-up.
• Football: 52 winning seasons in the last 56 years. 

Essential Duties, Tasks and Responsibilities

The following outlines the essential functions of the position and is not to be considered a detailed description of all duties inherent in the position.    

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight, empowering and advocating for staff and student-athletes.
• Maintain positive, productive relationships with faculty and campus administrative staff.
• Oversee the effective recruitment, hiring, supervision, mentoring, and/or evaluation of full and part-time coaches, administrative and support staff, volunteers, and student employees.
• Develop and implement specific athletic programs; direct and coordinate a full range of athletic department services and programs.
• Provide athlete and coach orientation, conditioning, and athletics training programs.
• Develop and Maintain athletic policies.
• Ensure OAC and NCAA compliance activities for the department; eligibility, scheduling, recruiting, rules education, etc.
• Assist in fund raising activities with the Center for Philanthropy and alumni activities with Alumni Relations.
• Partner with Student Affairs and across the University to develop long-term department and facility planning.
• Advise other college personnel in planning programs and services for student-athletes and athletic activities.
• Supervise utilization of the athletic facilities; coordinate athletic uses of training and weight room facilities; recommend and review policies for student and community use of facilities at the University; review and recommend changes, repairs and improvement of athletic equipment and facilities.
• Arrange for athletic events (game management).
• Oversee the production of the athletic handbook, bulletins, and other publications.
• Coordinate master athletic calendars.
• Develop and provide a variety of student services and programs such as student athletic recruitment and retention, academic tracking and athletic eligibility, health and safety.
• Assist coaches with hiring of staff; forward recommendations of hire to Human Resources.
• Approve payroll work authorizations for all department staff.
• Make recommendations in matters of student-athlete discipline; advise students in eligibility/academic issues.
• Develop annual Athletics Department budget; review and control expenditures from athletics accounts.
• Represent Baldwin Wallace and the Athletic Department with sportsmanship, integrity and professionalism.
• Participate with other campus staff in developing and coordinating activities, goals, and services.
• Develop and provide athletic services to meet the needs of a wide variety of student-athletes.
• Supervise and train students and staff in a variety of labor-intensive activities
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Establish cooperative working relationships in the course of performing assigned duties.
• Travel and evening and weekend hours may be necessary to attend relevant statewide meetings and events.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of experience (or advanced degree and at least three years of experience) in intercollegiate athletics administration.

Experience and knowledge of:

• Current practices in the delivery of athletic programs at postsecondary institutions, student athletic issues, supervision techniques, administrative budgeting, financial recordkeeping and control procedures.
• OAC and NCAA rules and practices; sport procedures and practices.

Must have the ability to integrate multiple activities and programs around the goals of Athletics and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Compensation

A competitive salary plus a comprehensive benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, 12 days annual paid sick leave, 20 days paid vacation, 15 paid holidays, long- and short -term disability, 403 (b) retirement plan, life insurance, employee discounts, free parking, and tuition remission benefits for employee and family. To learn more about the BW’s benefits package, go to: www.bw.edu/resources/hr/

Application Procedures

The search committee will commence reviewing applications immediately and continue until the position is filled. Send a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references in one Word document or one PDF and submit via the “To Apply” link on HR’s “Current Job Openings” webpage http://www.bw.edu/employment. The position is open until filled. All applications received by Sunday, March 7, 2021 are assured full consideration. Questions and inquires can be directed to Dr. Kurt Patberg, Senior Vice President of Athletics Staffing and Consultants at kpatberg.ASC@gmail.com.

Baldwin Wallace University is an EEO/AA employer and educator.  BW supports and encourages diversity in a variety of forms. BW values and appreciates inclusive excellence in the classroom, within extracurricular activities, and as BW engages community partners. Learn more at Diversity Affairs - http://www.bw.edu/about/diversity/