Director of Eligibility & Certification

Summary Of Job Duties

The Director of Athletics Eligibility & Certification serves as the University of Arkansas Athletics Department's primary authority and final campus certifying official for student-athlete academic eligibility. This position provides strategic leadership and oversight of all NCAA, Southeastern Conference (SEC), and University eligibility certification processes, ensuring institutional compliance while supporting student-athlete academic success. Responsibilities include administering initial, transfer, and continuing eligibility certification; monitoring progress-toward-degree requirements; preparing NCAA, SEC, institutional, and state reports; interpreting NCAA and SEC legislation; and collaborating with Student-Athlete Academic Services, the Office of the Registrar, Admissions, Financial Aid, academic colleges, coaches, faculty, and external governing bodies. The Director ensures the integrity of all eligibility certification processes through accurate monitoring, documentation, reporting, and legislative interpretation.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution

• At least two (2) years of NCAA Division I experience in athletics compliance, eligibility certification, student-athlete academic services, or a related field

• Experience interpreting and applying NCAA eligibility, transfer, and progress-toward-degree legislation

• Demonstrated analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree from an accredited institution

• At least three (3) or more years of NCAA Division I experience administering eligibility certification

• Experience serving as a campus certifying official or primary eligibility administrator

• Experience with Teamworks Compliance + Recruiting, Compliance Assistant, NCAA Academic Portal, NCAA Eligibility Center, Transfer Portal, LSDBi, RSRO, Workday, and other NCAA and institutional student information systems

• Experience preparing NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA), IPEDS, revenue distribution, sports sponsorship, participation, and other NCAA or conference reports

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of NCAA, SEC, and University academic eligibility legislation, policies, and procedures

• Knowledge of NCAA initial eligibility, transfer eligibility, continuing eligibility, and progress-toward-degree requirements

• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple deadlines

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple departments

• Ability to interpret complex legislation, academic transcripts, degree audits, and institutional policies

• Ability to maintain confidential information while exercising sound judgment and discretion

• Proficiency with NCAA compliance platforms, student information systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and database management systems

• Commitment to integrity, institutional control, compliance, and student-athlete academic success