Director of Football Relations

About the College Football Playoff  

Established in 2012, with the first games occurring in 2014, the College Football Playoff (CFP) was created to emphasize the significance of college football’s unique regular season where every game counts and to establish a postseason event to determine the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) national champion on the field. The CFP offers equal opportunities to all FBS teams based on their performance during the regular season. 

As part of the CFP infrastructure, Presidents and Chancellors from all 10 FBS conferences and the University of Notre Dame serve as the CFP Board of Managers and govern the administrative operations of the organization. The CFP Management Committee, consisting of the Commissioners from all 10 FBS conferences and the Athletic Director from the University of Notre Dame, manages the CFP events, while the staff in the CFP office in Irving, Texas, carries out the day-to-day operations.

With its unique tournament style, the institutions that participate are selected by the CFP Selection Committee, a group of 13 individuals who are high-integrity football experts, with experience as coaches, student-athletes, college administrators, and journalists, along with sitting athletic directors. The format of the CFP is built on a 12-team bracket. The 12 participating teams are the five conference champions ranked highest by the CFP Selection Committee, plus the next seven highest-ranked teams. Following first-round games held in campus stadiums, the CFP quarterfinals and semifinals will take place at the six bowl games that have hosted playoff games since the CFP’s inception. . The playoff bowl games are: The Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential, Allstate Sugar Bowl, Goodyear Cotton Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, and the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. 

Position Overview

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director of Football Relations shall provide guidance and manage designated operational matters that enhance the overall quality of the CFP. The duties for this position shall include, but not be limited to, liaising with the FBS conference offices, NCAA, NCAA National Coordinator of Football Officiating and CFP Chief Medical Officer; collaborating with CFP staff on the implementation of playoff policies and best practices; and ensuring the CFP implements appropriate mechanisms to mitigate risks associated with sports wagering.

Duties and Responsibilities

· Establish and maintain effective working relationships with FBS head football coaches, FBS conference football administrative staff, and other key constituents including, but not limited to, the following:

· Communication with FBS head football coaches on matters related to football game management and officiating following playoff competition; and

·Travel to FBS conference spring meetings, FBS conference football media days, and other FBS conference meetings as designated by the CFP executive director or executive staff.

· Serve as the CFP staff liaison to the NCAA National Coordinator of Football Officiating for all matters pertaining to playoff officiating including, but not limited to, the following:

· Assignment of game officials;

· Administration of agreements and policies for CFP officials;

· Evaluation process of game officials;

· Manage relationships with vendors who provide equipment and/or services related to officiating (e.g., instant replay, on-field game officials communications system); and

· Collaboration with CFP communications director and National Coordinator on issuance of statements to the media and public on officiating matters.

· Collaborate with applicable CFP staff on matters that are a part of or may be integrated into playoff games including, but not limited to, the following:

· Game operations;

· Officiating;

· Technology;

· Policy considerations; and

· Other pertinent matters.

· Participate in site visits to designated playoff host sites prior to playoff games and serve as a CFP staff site representative at assigned playoff games or the location where CFP officiating replay operations occur during playoff games.

· Serve as the CFP liaison/representative on the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee and for other matters involving the NCAA.

· Serve as the CFP staff liaison to the CFP Chief Medical Officer and collaborate with applicable CFP staff on proposed medical policies and procedures for playoff games.

· Maintain awareness of industry best practices, trends, rules, regulations and policy considerations that are pertinent to college football to ensure the CFP addresses and/or incorporates such items into the playoff appropriately.

· Establish appropriate mechanisms to protect the interests of the CFP from risks associated with sports wagering.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.

· Ten years’ experience in FBS football as a coach and/or administrator, is preferred.

· Demonstrated oral and written communication skills

· Ability and willingness to work cooperatively with others.

· Discretion when dealing with confidential matters.

· Professionalism and problem-solving skills.

· Attention to detail and adaptability to a changing college sports environment.

· Ability to manage, prioritize and bring multiple projects to completion.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

· Available for travel on CFP business.

· Flexibility to work long hours including evenings and weekends.

Application Process

The CFP invites nominations and applications or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the CFP. 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 11, 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 Parker Executive Search

Parker Executive Search

danielparker@parkersearch.com | ghiggison@parkersearch.com gmcgee@parkersearch.com  

770-804-1996 ext. 116 | 770-804-1996 ext. 118 | 770-804-1996 ext. 132

CFPA is an equal opportunity employer.