Harold Alfond Director of Athletics

About Colby College

Founded in 1813, Colby College is the 12th-oldest liberal arts college in the nation and one of America’s most selective colleges. A residential, four-year institution serving only undergraduates, Colby offers an academic program rooted in the deep exploration of ideas and enriched by partnerships with world-class faculty scholars and institutions. Colby reimagines the liberal arts experience — providing access to a global experience, research, and internships for all students regardless of their background. This integrated educational experience prepares Colby students to be critical and imaginative thinkers; intellectually curious, proficient communicators; and responsible and active global citizens. 2,300 students represent 45 states and 70 countries; nearly 15% are the first in their family to attend college, and more than 12% are non-U.S. citizens. With 58 majors, 35 minors, and independent major options, Colby students have the flexibility to set their own course of study.

Situated in Waterville, Maine, Colby’s 714-acre campus is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the nation. With more than 225 full-time teaching faculty and over 800 staff members dedicated to supporting its mission, the College remains committed to building and nurturing a work environment in which faculty and staff can do their best work and thrive while building a strong sense of community across all areas. Colby’s operating budget is more than $300 million, and the market value of Colby’s endowment is valued at approximately $1.2 billion.

Colby’s history is extraordinary, but there has never been a more dynamic and exciting time for the College. Colby is in a period of fast-paced progress — defined by ambitious institutional priorities to reimagine student opportunity and postgraduate success. The College’s reputation and resources have expanded dramatically under President Greene’s leadership over the last ten years. Applications have jumped nearly 400% since 2014 with each of the past two years’ 7% acceptance rate placing Colby as one of the top five most selective liberal arts colleges in the country; having raised more than $870 million the College extended its original $750 million campaign, which at the time when it launched was the single largest campaign at any liberal arts college, to $1 billion; through multiple partnerships the city of Waterville has been transformed and serves as a national model for other communities with more than $200 million in collective investments into the town; recently opened the more than $95 million Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts on campus; College leaders and programs has garnered substantial media attention in national, regional and local outlets; and, investments in athletics and recreation, including the opening of the single best Division III athletics and recreation center in the country in the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center in 2020 have been unmatched at all other similar institutions. 

About Colby Athletics and Recreation

Few, if any liberal arts colleges, have made as substantial of investments into athletics and recreation as Colby over the past ten years. With a deep commitment to ensuring the student experience is highlighted by all students learning how to live a healthy, active lifestyle, the College developed a new model of an athletics and recreation program for all rather than only those who compete in varsity sports. This approach is highlighted by leading facilities, a distinctive peak performance program, new pathways for alumni engagement and philanthropy, and the ongoing support students provide to their peers.

In 2020, the College completed construction of The Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center, which garnered numerous awards and become the envy of many other institutions. The 350,000 square-foot athletics and recreation center includes an indoor track and field competition center, an aquatic center with the only 50-meter Myrtha pool in New England, squash center, the Margaret M. Crook Arena for men’s and women’s basketball as well as volleyball, the O’Neil | O’Donnell Forum, home to men’s and women’s ice hockey, the Boulos Strength and Fitness Center, a suite of training and rehabilitation facilities, coaching suites, and more. 

Over a similar time period the College also opened a 70-acre-plus outdoor competition center that consists of seven gleaming new competition and recreational fields that are also among the finest outdoor venues in Division III. The outdoor competition center consists of a new softball and baseball complex, soccer pitch, and the new Bill Alfond Field for women’s lacrosse and field hockey. The College has benefits from its Central Maine location providing access to Quarry Road and Sugarloaf Mountain Resort, for its students and members of the Division I Alpine and Nordic ski teams. 

In addition to investments in new facilities, the College launched the only peak performance program of its kind in Division III several years ago. Designed to optimize student-athlete health and performance by integrating sports medicine, strength and conditioning, sport psychology, nutrition, and sport science into one holistic model, the program provides a unique approach to helping student-athletes meet their full potential on the field and in the classroom. 

While the peak performance program remains focused on providing the support necessary for varsity athletics to achieve competitive success, a newly developed recreation, club sports, and intramural program enables accessibility to athletics for all students, regardless of their skill level. Providing the instruction, equipment, and facilities necessary for every member of the student population to learn or enhance their athletic skills, Colby recreation program develops and educates the campus community physically, ethically, and mentally through recreational activities that encourage lifelong healthy habits. Engaging with over 1,200 total students the recreational program offers a variety of opportunities and programs for students at all skill levels.

This includes 33 student-led club sports that compete against other institutions across the country with several earning invitations to compete for national championships; an extensive intramural sports program providing students with the opportunity to compete against one another; hundreds of fitness and wellness courses for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skill levels, including such programs as learn-to-skate, learn-to-lift, and learn-to-ski to name a few; outdoor and indoor recreation with access to many of the natural resources across the state as well as Aidan’s Climbing Wall in the Harold Alfond Athletics an Recreation Center; and, ample time available for self-directed fitness conditioning, walking, lap and open swimming, as well as court sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, and indoor soccer.

The recreational program as well as all varsity sports teams are all now supported by distinct varsity boards of nearly 250 engaged alumni and friends. Board members work directly with head coaches and a team of Advancement professionals to enhance the experience of student-athletes while providing the necessary support for continued success and expansion. This includes philanthropic support, networking, and guidance. In addition to the individual varsity boards, the Harold Alfond Director of Athletics work closely with the Athletics and Recreation Council, a senior leadership group of alumni, parents, and friends who provide insight, professional expertise, and financial support toward strategic initiatives, capital projects, and engagement involving Colby Athletics and Recreation. 

About the Harold Alfond Director of Athletics position

At a unique point in its history, Colby is seeking a dynamic and collaborative leader committed to elevating the athletics and recreation program to become one of the best in the country. The Harold Alfond Director of Athletics serves as the primary leader for the athletics and recreation program responsible for setting and implementing the strategic vision for Colby to be recognized national leader through competitive excellence and a deep commitment to all students living a healthy, active lifestyle. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, the Harold Alfond Director of Athletics oversees 32 varsity intercollegiate sports, sports medicine, peak performance, recreation services, strength and conditioning, communications and sports information, equipment, facilities, and athletics administration. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to achieve goals for competitive success, an outstanding student experience, philanthropic support, compliance, financial management, and community engagement that reflects the mission and values of the College as a whole;

• Support, recruit, lead, mentor, and retain talented coaches and administrators who are committed to excellence, diversity and inclusion, the welfare of the student-athletes, and professionalism.

• Support the continued enhancement of the recreation program to provide greater access and opportunities to all students;

• Broaden and enhance the national reputation of Colby Athletics and Recreation through a comprehensive, strategic communications program as well as personal interactions;

• Inspire and motivate the entire athletics teams as well as students, faculty, staff, colleagues, alumni, and friends of the College through setting challenging, aggressive, winning goals and taking calculated risks to attain superior, measurable results in support of the mission, vision, and strategic plan;

• Act as the primary fundraiser for the department while working collaboratively with head coaches and College Advancement team members to enhance resources and philanthropic support for all programs;

• Guide and mentor coaches, as well as other athletics staff members, with a steadfast commitment to enhancing the student-athlete experience and success of the entire athletics and recreation program;

• Proactively build and maintain positive and collaborative working relationships with colleagues across campus, within the local community, regionally and nationally to enhance the College mission;

• Develop, implement, and monitor policies and procedures that promote best practices, addresses personnel development, financial management, facility management, alumni and community relations, and compliance and regulatory expectations, and focuses on providing exceptional customer service and the presence of effective organizational structures and processes for assessment and improvement;

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree is required;

• The successful candidate will have a demonstrated record of administrative leadership and accomplishment in university or college sports programs to include visionary strategic and operational leadership, successful fundraising, creative and conceptual thinking and effective resources management; or equivalent management experience;

• A managerial style that is personable, inclusive, collaborative, and demonstrates emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills; personal qualities that ensure the highest standards of honesty and integrity;

• Superior communication and relationship-building skills, strategic planning and budgeting competencies, experience in program development and assessment, including risk management, excellent problem-solving abilities, and a high degree of cultural competence demonstrating respect for the diversity of identities and experiences;

• Demonstrated ability to support the ongoing work and professional development of the administrative and coaching staffs through effectively setting, prioritizing managing multiple priorities, meeting deadlines, and working cooperatively within a team environment;

• Knowledge of the principles of intercollegiate athletics administration, budgeting and personnel management, NCAA Division III rules and regulations, Title IX compliance, gender equity, and diversity;

• An appreciation for the importance of developing student-athletes who are both outstanding performers and individuals of character;

• High political and financial acumen with the ability to navigate and manage the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics and the role it plays within higher education;

• Ability to promote the core values of the College and the role of athletics and recreation in its mission.

Application Process

Colby College invites nominations and applications or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the College. Applications must include a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, and list of references. For full consideration, application materials should be submitted to Parker Executive Search’s website by July 30, 2024. 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

DeLaina Sarden, Principal

Gray McGee, Executive Recruiting Coordinator

danielparker@parkersearch.com | dsarden@parkersearch.com | gmcgee@parkersearch.com

Parker Executive Search

770-804-1996 ext. 119 | 770-804-1996 ext. 123

Colby is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and operates in accordance with federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination.