Director of Athletics
Requisition ID: T240739

**DO NOT CLICK THE APPLY ONLINE BUTTON**

For consideration, application materials

should be submitted to Parker Executive Search’s website

About the Opportunity

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) seeks a visionary and innovative Director of Athletics to lead UAB Athletics during a transformative period in intercollegiate sports. As the leader of an 18-sport NCAA Division I athletics program competing primarily in the American Conference, the Director of Athletics will be responsible for advancing competitive excellence, supporting the academic achievement and holistic development of student-athletes, strengthening financial sustainability, and engaging the university, Birmingham community, alumni and supporters around a compelling vision for the future of Blazer Athletics.

The next Director of Athletics will inherit a department with significant institutional momentum, including substantial investments in athletics facilities, strong academic performance and a growing university and community. At the same time, the rapidly changing collegiate athletics landscape creates an opportunity for an entrepreneurial leader capable of developing new revenue streams, strengthening philanthropy and corporate partnerships, maximizing media and brand opportunities, and strategically managing student-athlete revenue sharing and other emerging competitive investments.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop, articulate, and execute a comprehensive long-term vision for UAB Athletics

• Establish strategic priorities, measurable goals, accountability, and stewardship measures

• Collaborate with University Executive to navigate conference dynamics, NIL, and revenue sharing

• Develop innovative revenue-generation strategies including philanthropy, sponsorships, partnerships, and ticket sales

• Recruit, hire, develop, and retain talented coaches, administrators, and staff

• Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture rooted in trust, transparency, professionalism, integrity, respect, and UAB values

• Serve as a visible ambassador for UAB Athletics and strengthen relationships with alumni, donors, corporate partners, fans, and the Birmingham community

• Ensure compliance with University of Alabama System , university, conference, NCAA, and Title IX rules and regulations

• Foster student-athlete academic achievement, personal development, health, and well being

#LI-DNI

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field; advanced degree preferred

• Ten (10) years of related experience

• Significant experience in strategic and financial planning, as well as in organizational development and personnel management

• Experience in recruiting and hiring of exceptional coaches and athletic administrators

• Effective written and verbal and presentation skills, and the ability to communicate complex issues in a succinct and cogent manner to a variety of audiences

• Ability to build relationships and maintain leadership presence in all situation

• Ability to be a highly engaged and motivated leader

• Ability to be self-motivated with a high degree of personal initiative

• Ability to achieve strategic initiatives and attain organizational goals

• Analytical and problem solving skills

• Strong prioritization skills for competing requests and meeting diverse customer requirements

To view the full position prospectus, click here:

UAB invites nominations and applications or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the university. Applications must include a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, and a list of references. For full consideration, application materials should be submitted to Parker Executive Search’s website, by November 13, 2026. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made.

Daniel Parker, Vice President and Managing Director

DeLaina Sarden, Principal

Wade Jones, Executive Recruiting Coordinator

Parker Executive Search

danielparker@parkersearch.com | dsarden@parkersearch.com | wjones@parkersearch.com

770-804-1996 ext. 116 | 770-804-1996 ext. 119 | 770-804-1996 ext. 135

UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, and veteran’s status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB’s Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.