Associate Commissioner for Basketball

POSTION SUMMARY

The Associate Commissioner for Basketball leads the conference’s men’s and women’s basketball programs, providing strategic and operational direction for the sports and their championships. The role strengthens competitive performance, national visibility, the championship experience, and commercial value while overseeing scheduling, officiating, game management, and stakeholder coordination. As the conference’s principal basketball leader and liaison and a member of the senior leadership team, the successful candidate collaborates with coaches, athletic directors, sport administrators, American staff, officiating coordinators, game officials, venue and media rights partners, the NCAA, national organizations, and other key stakeholders.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Commissioner, Dotted-line reporting to the COO

Direct reports: Senior Director of Basketball Operations and Sport Administration

Key partners: Conference leadership and staff; member institutions; championship and event operators; media and stakeholder partners

CANDIDATE PROFILE:

The ideal candidate is a credible, collaborative strategist with deep basketball expertise and strong industry relationships. They bring sound judgment, effective communication skills, and the ability to turn plans into action in a fast-paced environment. They quickly assess complex situations, build alignment around a shared vision, and implement strategy with confidence. They earn the trust of media partners, campus stakeholders, and senior leaders while remaining calm and decisive under pressure. They lead change with sensitivity and diplomacy, actively seeking diverse perspectives in a constantly evolving environment. The role also provides tactical direction for cross-departmental basketball initiatives and performs other duties assigned by the Commissioner and/or Chief Operating Officer.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

 •    Lead strategies that strengthen basketball’s competitiveness, national profile, visibility, and long-term value.

 •    Serve as the primary liaison for men’s and women’s basketball coaches, athletic directors, and other key stakeholders.

•     Maintain regular communication and alignment among coaches, athletic directors, member institutions, the conference office, media partners, and national basketball stakeholders.

•     Set annual basketball priorities, oversee operating budgets, and deliver timely analysis, recommendations, and updates to the Commissioner, athletic directors, and coaches.

•     Advise coaches and athletic directors on NCAA initiatives, legislation, playing rules, postseason selection, international competition, and other national basketball issues.

•     Represent the American at national basketball meetings and events and act as its liaison to national organizations.

•     Serve on NCAA and related basketball committees when nominated and selected, advocating for the American on key issues affecting the sports.

•     Lead preparation, agenda development, and follow-up for athletic director and coaches’ meetings.

Competition, Staff, Scheduling & Officiating

•     Direct all aspects of basketball competition, including regular-season and tournament play, postseason participation, game-management policies, sportsmanship standards, and related procedures.

•     Partner with staff, media partners, and member institutions to develop basketball schedules, including nonconference coordination, while balancing contractual requirements, competitive equity, exposure, campus considerations, and other strategic priorities.

•     Oversee policies and procedures for on-campus regular-season game management and sportsmanship.

•     Supervise officiating coordinators and manage all facets of the basketball officiating programs, ensuring member institutions understand new and experimental rules and points of emphasis.

•     Support staff with basketball-related responsibilities by setting clear expectations, priorities, and accountability.

•     Update the Conference’s Basketball Policy Manuals as needed and interpret their policies and procedures.

Brand, Media & Commercial Growth

•     Partner with ESPN, CBS, the Chief Commercial Officer, and the Chief Brand Officer to elevate the American basketball brand, increase visibility, and create compelling stories for local, regional, and national audiences.

•     Work with the Assistant Commissioner of Content and Media Partnerships on basketball programming across ESPN platforms and the evaluation of on-air talent.

•     Create and implement initiatives that increase fan engagement, media exposure, commercial opportunities, and revenue for American basketball.

•     Collaborate with the Chief Brand Officer to plan and execute Basketball Tipoff events strategically.

Championship & Postseason Administration

•     Direct planning and delivery of the American Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments and related events, overseeing host-facility agreements, local partnerships, and operations while collaborating across the organization to improve attendance, fan experience, and financial results.

•     Advocate for conference teams and student-athletes in NCAA championship and other postseason opportunities, providing timely analysis and support to American representatives involved in selection and seeding discussions.

•     Visit member institutions and attend basketball events, including preseason and in-season team visits, to support the sport and strengthen relationships across the Conference.

YEAR-ONE SUCCESS FACTORS

•     Demonstrates forward-looking strategic leadership by translating ideas into clear priorities, sound decisions, and effective execution.

•     Builds credibility and alignment across diverse stakeholders through collaboration, sound judgment, and strong relationships.

•     Communicates effectively with executives, coaches, media partners, campus personnel, and national organizations.

•     Navigates ambiguity, resolves conflict, and makes thoughtful decisions under pressure.

•     Consistently demonstrates integrity, professionalism, accountability, discretion, and a service-oriented approach.

•     Enhances the student-athlete experience.

•     Uses data, analysis, and informed judgment to guide scheduling, postseason, strategic, and operational decisions.

•     Represents the American and its member institutions with excellence in every setting.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

•     Bachelor’s degree required.

•     At least eight years of progressively responsible experience in collegiate athletics, basketball administration, or a closely related field.

•     Proven experience managing basketball operations, scheduling, and championship events.

•     Comprehensive knowledge of the competitive, governance, media, commercial, officiating, and postseason issues affecting Division I men’s and women’s basketball.

•     Exceptional written and verbal communication, analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

•     Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with multiple stakeholder groups.

•     Knowledge of postseason selection processes or comparable national-level responsibilities preferred.

•     Experience partnering across revenue, media, marketing, ticketing, and event operations to strengthen audience engagement and business performance for a sport or event preferred.

•     Proven ability to lead, develop, and retain high-performing staff.

•     Ability and willingness to travel regularly for preseason and in-season team visits, championships, and national meetings.

•     Availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

•     Position based in Irving, Texas.

•     Ability to maintain punctual attendance and respond to correspondence promptly.

APPLICATION PROCESS

A letter of application, resume, and a list of at least three professional references should be forwarded via email to:

Lois DeBlois, Executive Assistant for Administration (ldeblois@theamerican.org)

Screening of applications begins immediately.

Compensation is commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes participation in the conference's employee benefit plan.

The American Conference is an equal opportunity employer. The Conference does not discriminate against applicants for employment on the basis of their membership in any protected class under federal or state law.