Senior Associate Athletics Director, Finance and Business Operations

The Senior Associate Athletic Director for Business Operations will provide strategic leadership for the business, financial, and operational functions of Fresno State Athletics. This executive role oversees the department’s financial health, daily business operations, and critical areas of facilities, events, and sport program administration. Serving as a trusted advisor to the Director of Athletics and a key member of the leadership team, the position ensures fiscal responsibility, operational efficiency, and alignment with the mission of the department, the university, and the NCAA.

This position plays a vital role in scholarship allocation, procurement oversight, long-term financial planning, and compliance with institutional, state, and NCAA policies. The position will also supervise selected sports programs as assigned by the Director of Athletics, providing leadership, accountability, and support for coaches and student-athletes.

Major duties of the job include:

The essential functions of the job include but are not limited to:

•  Direct the development, management, and execution of the athletics department’s annual budget.

• Ensure fiscal discipline across all sports and administrative units, with emphasis on accurate scholarship allocations (in-state, out-of-state, and international).

• Lead financial forecasting using data-driven models to anticipate revenue and expense trends.

• Provide timely and accurate financial reports to Athletics leadership, university administration, and external stakeholders.

• Recommend corrective actions and guide decision-making when budget deviations occur.

• Oversee all procurement processes and P-Card usage within Athletics.

• Implement and enforce compliance controls to prevent misuse and over-expenditure.

• Ensure all transactions are properly documented, audited, and in alignment with university policies.

• Serve as the primary liaison to university offices, including procurement, general accounting, and budget.

• Serve as the secondary liaison to Human Resources, with primary responsibility for employment-related financial matters, including salaries, wages, benefit costs, and other associated expenses. Ensure compliance with NCAA, institutional, and federal financial policies.

• Lead the preparation and submission of annual reports such as the NCAA Agreed-Upon Procedures, EADA, and other required filings.

• Direct Athletics’ preparation for all financial and NCAA audits.

• Work with auditors to ensure accuracy and compliance.

• Lead post-audit corrective actions and policy updates.

• Provide executive oversight for Athletics facilities and event management, ensuring efficient operations, compliance with safety standards, effective budget management, and alignment with fan/student-athlete experience goals.

• Partner with campus units and external vendors to optimize scheduling, maintenance, and event execution.

• Provide direct sport supervision for programs assigned by the Director of Athletics.

• Serve as the primary liaison for assigned head coaches, ensuring program alignment with departmental values, fiscal responsibility, and student-athlete success.

• Support coach development, program needs, and competitive excellence.

• Identify and implement strategies to maximize revenue and reduce expenses.

• Partner with coaches, staff, and vendors to optimize financial outcomes from multimedia rights, sponsorships, concessions, and other revenue streams.

• Lead and develop Athletics’ business operations team, including staff in procurement, accounting, facilities, and financial reporting.

• Establish a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.

• Provide professional development and training opportunities for staff.

• Collaborate with Athletics and university leadership on financial models that support long-term planning, including capital projects, new revenue initiatives, and Pac-12 transition strategies.

• Ensure financial sustainability while supporting the growth and success of Fresno State Athletics.