Posted: 09-Jul-25
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Type: Full-time
Salary: $160,000 - $190,000
Sector:
Required Education:
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), a proud NCAA Division II member with a rich history of academic and athletic excellence, is seeking a visionary leader capable of guiding the conference into its next era. Located in the states of Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota and Utah, the RMAC currently competes in 21 NCAA Division II sports and has earned 67 NCAA Division II national championships and 53 national runners-up since 1992. Founded in 1909, the RMAC is the most historic athletic conference headquartered in the western United States and also in Division II.
Duties and Responsibilities
The new RMAC Commissioner will be dedicated and fully committed to the following job duties:
Conference Oversight and Leadership
- Promote, educate, and support conference philosophy, mission, and goals to all members and its representatives.
- Assess areas of risk and liability to ensure safe and compliant student-athlete competition and conference operations.
- Serve at the direction of the Presidents’ Council to advance academic and athletic pursuits of the league on behalf of its student-athletes.
- Work in conjunction with the Athletic Administrators Council to ensure safe, fair, and equitable competitions.
- Develop, implement, and achieve the goals of the conference’s Strategic Plan.
- Represent the RMAC in the ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics and serve as an influential leader in NCAA Division II and other national governing bodies in order to position the RMAC for ongoing and future success.
- Advance the brand of the RMAC including but not limited to, external revenue generation, Pay per view and enhanced championship experiences for student athletes.
- Promote and maintain an environment of compliance to NCAA, Division II, and RMAC rules and regulations.
- Promote and maintain an environment of collegiality and appropriate conduct by administrators, coaches, student- athletes, and officials that represents the highest ideals of the conference and its members. Enforce rules and regulations and provide corrective measures in cases of conduct issues and violations.
- Stay abreast of national trends in collegiate athletics related to legal, financial, competition, membership, and student- athlete well-being developments.
- Ensure the efficient and productive functioning of the league governance structure through organized meetings, materials, and targeted discussion.
- Ensure development, approval and implementation of fair, balanced, and budget- and academic-conscious competition schedules.
- Serve as a mediator between institutions.
Student-Athlete Support /Experience
- Oversee the funding, organization, and conduct of high-caliber RMAC Championships and associated events for equity, safety, proper funding, administration, participant experience, officiating, and awards.
- Develop budget support for appropriate acknowledgement and recognition of student-athlete and team accomplishments through the league awards program.
- Set and promote universal sportsmanship and conduct standards to ensure a safe and positive competition environment for all participants.
External Relations and Communications
- Represent the conference to all related external groups including the NCAA and Division II Commissioners’ Association.
- Continual development of corporate partners and sponsors that provide financial and operational benefit to both the RMAC Office and its member institutions.
- Maintain communication with regional Division II conferences and institutions to encourage competition to promote national success and travel efficiencies.
- Develop and implement communications and public relations policy to best represent the RMAC and its members
Budget and Finance
- Build and track approved RMAC Office budget. Follow all state and federal fiduciary and accounting rules and requirements for a 5.01c3.
- Oversee the RMAC Reserve Fund while recommending an appropriate growth model for the investment.
- Responsible for the league’s annual audit through cooperation with the certified public account.
- Administer to all NCAA funds including, but not limited to, the Enhancement Fund, DII Strategic Grant, and all over association grants.
- Maximize budget efficiencies within travel, staff benefits, office equipment and supplies, and in-kind opportunities.
- Ensure proper insurance coverage for the RMAC Office, representatives, and all league-sponsored events.
- Track RMAC budget and staffing levels to other Division II conference offices to maintain appropriate and competitive membership services and employee compensation.
- Manage RMAC office space, equipment leases
Officiating
- Oversight of conference officiating coordinators and all independent contractor agreements.
- Management of background checks, insurance, NCAA credentials and all other associated requirements for qualification to officiate in the RMAC.
- Holds coordinators and officials accountable to education, performance, and league conduct policies.
- Ensure proper grading and selection procedures for regular season, RMAC postseason, and NCAA postseason assignments and selections.
- Manage RMAC and institutional officiating budgets by recommending game fee schedules based upon local, regional and national trends in officiating.
Office and Staff Management
- Hire, train, and evaluate all RMAC full-time employees and oversee hiring of graduate assistants and interns.
- Provide benefits and professional development support for employees.
- Hire and oversee work with bookkeeper for accounts receivable, accounts payable, and staff compensation.
- Maintain RMAC Employee Policy Manual and adherence to all office, local, state, and federal human resources policies.
- Responsible for hiring and communication with outside legal counsel
Diversity and Inclusion
- Foster an environment that celebrates and centers the unique experiences of student-athletes, coaches, and administrators through mentorship, awareness, and policy reform enhanced by standing agenda items, webinars, and guest speakers.
- Ensure conference philosophy, mission, and goals are aligned with institutional needs to support all student- athletes, coaches, and administrators.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree is required, plus a minimum of five years of executive or high-level leadership experience, with progressively responsible management.
- Demonstrated experience creating and successfully executing strategic plans within a complex organization.
- Strong personnel management and leadership skills.
- Exceptional administrative, organizational, human relations, and technical skills.
- Ability to develop and maintain working relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds and perspectives, ability to work independently and collaboratively, must demonstrate ability to work with discretion, a high level of resourcefulness, diplomacy, integrity, and professionalism in all aspects of responsibilities.
- Ability to maintain the confidential nature of information and issues that arise in the course of the job.
- Skilled in making decisions by seeking out best alternatives for complex issues.
- Ability to take initiative and work in a fast-paced environment with timelines and be able to navigate shifting priorities with ease.
- Outstanding customer service and listening skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Advanced-level proficiency in computer software to include the use of Microsoft Office programs and virtual meeting resources.
- Experience using databases and performing internet research, and aptitude for learning and leading.
Preferred Qualifications
- JD or PhD preferred.
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Experience as an NCAA Division II Commissioner.
Applicants are welcome to apply even if they do not meet the preferred qualifications. The RMAC values diverse perspectives and encourages individuals with a genuine interest in the role to submit their application.
Anticipated Salary Range
The anticipated hiring salary range for this role is $160,000 to $190,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Application Process
The RMAC invites nominations and applications or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the RMAC. Applications should include a cover letter, current resume or curriculum vitae, and a list of professional references. For full consideration, application materials should be submitted to Parker Executive Search’s website by September 2, 2025. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made.
For additional information, please contact:
Daniel Parker, Vice President and Managing Director
Grant Higgison, Principal
Gray McGee, Executive Recruiting Coordinator
ghiggison@parkersearch.com | gmcgee@parkersearch.com
Parker Executive Search
770-804-1996 ext. 118 | 770-804-1996 ext. 132
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.