Director of Athletics

About University of Detroit Mercy

University of Detroit Mercy is a Catholic university in the Jesuit and Mercy traditions committed to providing an excellent, student-centered education in an urban context. The University is distinctive as the only university in the world that brings together the educational traditions of the Society of Jesus and the Religious Sisters of Mercy, with a mission centered on the intellectual, spiritual, ethical, and social development of its students.

Located in the heart of Detroit, the University serves approximately 5,600 students and offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate, and professional academic programs. With a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Detroit Mercy combines the breadth of a comprehensive university with a highly personalized educational experience. The University is designated by the Carnegie Classification as both a Research University and an Opportunity University, reflecting its commitment to scholarship, student access, and outcomes. In 2026 the Wall Street Journal named Detroit Mercy one of America's Best Colleges, ranking them #2 in Michigan and #36 in the nation.

Detroit Mercy’s vision is to be recognized as a premier private university in the Great Lakes region, distinguished by graduates who lead and serve in their communities. Its Jesuit and Mercy traditions are reflected in a commitment to educating the whole person, cultivating a welcoming community, embodying mercy and compassion, fostering faith and justice, and serving and leading in Detroit.

Detroit Mercy Athletics

Detroit Mercy Athletics provides NCAA Division I opportunities for student-athletes across 17 intercollegiate sports and is committed to supporting the mission and vision of the University through academic achievement, competitive excellence, student-athlete development, and engagement with the broader community. The Titans compete primarily as a member of the Horizon League, with select programs competing through affiliate conference memberships.

Student-athletes are at the center of the Detroit Mercy Athletics experience. The department is committed to creating an engaging and inclusive environment that provides student-athletes with the resources, relationships, and support necessary to succeed academically, athletically, and personally. Integration, adaptability, and innovation are central to the department’s approach as it seeks to provide a comprehensive Division I student-athlete experience.

As #DetroitsCollegeTeam, the Titans have a unique opportunity to strengthen the connection between the University, its alumni and supporters, and the city of Detroit. The next Director of Athletics will build upon Detroit Mercy’s proud athletics tradition while positioning the department for continued academic and competitive success, strengthening resources and external engagement, and navigating the evolving landscape of Division I intercollegiate athletics.

Job Description:

The Director of Athletics reports directly to the President of the University and serves as a member of the University's Leadership Council. The Director provides strategic vision, operational leadership, and administrative oversight for all aspects of the University’s NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics program, including its sports programs, coaches and staff, student-athletes, financial resources, facilities, external partnerships, and revenue-generation efforts.

The Director of Athletics will serve as a highly visible University and community leader who works collaboratively across the institution and builds strong relationships with student-athletes, coaches, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, corporate partners, the Horizon League, and the broader Detroit community. The Director will position Detroit Mercy Athletics for sustained academic and competitive excellence while navigating the evolving landscape of Division I intercollegiate athletics with integrity, innovation, sound financial stewardship, and a commitment to the mission and strategic priorities of the University.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

·      Provide strategic vision and leadership for Detroit Mercy Athletics that aligns the department’s priorities, resources, and operations with the mission and strategic priorities of the University.

·      Lead an NCAA Division I athletics program within a dynamic and complex environment with a commitment to academic achievement, competitive excellence, student-athlete development, community engagement, fiscal responsibility, and integrity.

·      Develop and execute short- and long-term strategic priorities, anticipating and responding to the evolving Division I landscape to position Detroit Mercy Athletics for sustained success.

·      Serve as a collaborative member of the University’s senior leadership team, building strong relationships across campus and partnering with academic affairs, enrollment management, student affairs, advancement, finance, marketing and communications, and other institutional areas to advance shared priorities, including enrollment, retention, student engagement, philanthropy, alumni engagement, institutional visibility, and community impact.

Revenue Generation & Financial Stewardship

·      Provide strategic leadership for the department’s financial operations, including budgeting, resource allocation, scholarship planning, revenue generation, and long-term financial sustainability.

·      Develop innovative and diversified revenue-generation strategies through philanthropy, donor engagement, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, ticketing, events, and other emerging opportunities.

·      Partner closely with University Advancement to cultivate meaningful relationships with alumni, donors, corporate partners, and community stakeholders and to advance fundraising priorities supporting student-athletes, facilities, scholarships, and strategic initiatives.

·      Develop and execute strategies that respond to the evolving financial model of Division I athletics, including NIL, revenue sharing, and other emerging opportunities and obligations.

·      Demonstrate sound financial stewardship by strategically allocating resources in a manner that balances competitive aspirations, student-athlete experience, institutional priorities, and fiscal responsibility.

·      Provide strategic oversight of athletics facilities and capital planning, ensuring resources and facility priorities support student-athlete development, competitive success, and the long-term needs of the Department.

Management, People & Culture

·      Recruit, select, supervise, develop, and evaluate coaches and athletics staff in accordance with University policies while establishing a culture of integrity, accountability, collaboration, academic achievement, competitive excellence, and continuous improvement.

·      Foster an inclusive, people-centered culture that values transparency, communication, collaboration, professional development, and mutual respect.

·      Establish clear organizational structures, expectations, and accountability measures throughout the Department of Athletics while empowering coaches and staff to successfully lead within their respective areas.

·      Attract, develop, and retain talented coaches and staff who are committed to Detroit Mercy’s mission and to providing an exceptional student-athlete experience.

·      Serve as a visible, accessible, and engaged leader who builds trust and meaningful relationships throughout the Department of Athletics and across the University.

 Student-Athlete Success and Experience

·      Champion a student-athlete-centered culture that supports academic achievement, competitive excellence, health and wellness, leadership development, personal growth, and preparation for life beyond collegiate athletics.

·      Establish and strengthen partnerships with academic, administrative, and student support services across the University to promote student-athlete success, retention, degree completion, well-being, and engagement.

·      Maintain a visible and meaningful presence with student-athletes and create opportunities for their voices and perspectives to inform the continued development of the athletics program.

·      Promote an environment that reflects Detroit Mercy’s educational mission and supports the holistic development and well-being of a diverse student-athlete population.

External Relations, Brand & Community

·      Serve as a visible ambassador and public representative for Detroit Mercy Athletics, strengthening relationships with alumni, donors, fans, corporate partners, community leaders, media, and other external stakeholders.

·      Develop and strengthen strategic relationships throughout Detroit and the broader region that enhance the visibility, reputation, resources, and impact of Detroit Mercy Athletics.

·      Advance the Detroit Mercy Athletics brand while increasing fan engagement, campus spirit, alumni connection, community involvement, and institutional visibility.

·      Work collaboratively with University Advancement, Marketing and Communications, Enrollment Management, and other campus partners to leverage athletics as an important contributor to the University’s broader institutional goals.

Competitive Excellence

·      Establish and communicate a clear vision for competitive excellence across Detroit Mercy’s intercollegiate athletics programs.

·      Provide coaches and sport programs with strategic leadership, appropriate resources, clear expectations, and accountability necessary to pursue sustainable competitive success.

·      Evaluate program performance holistically, considering competitive results, academic achievement, student-athlete experience, culture, compliance, and responsible stewardship of University resources.

·      Support and strengthen excellence across all sports while recognizing the unique opportunities, needs, and competitive circumstances of individual programs.

Governance, Compliance, and Industry Leadership

·      Ensure the Department of Athletics operates in accordance with University policies and all applicable NCAA and Horizon League rules, regulations, bylaws, and governance requirements.

·      Maintain a culture of institutional control, integrity, transparency, and accountability throughout the athletics program.

·      Maintain a sophisticated understanding of the evolving legal, legislative, regulatory, financial, and governance environment affecting Division I intercollegiate athletics and proactively position Detroit Mercy to respond to emerging opportunities and challenges.

·      Represent Detroit Mercy Athletics within Horizon League governance and, as appropriate, participate in regional and national conversations affecting intercollegiate athletics and higher education.

Qualifications:

Any Education, experience, and training that demonstrates proficiency and the ability to perform the essential duties will be evaluated for equivalency to the education and experience qualifications listed below.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience within collegiate athletics, higher education, or a closely related environment, with demonstrated experience supervising coaches, staff, and complex organizational functions.

• Minimum of three (5) years of demonstrated understanding of NCAA Division I athletics, including the evolving financial, regulatory, governance, NIL, and revenue-sharing environment.

• Demonstrated leadership in athletics compliance, including NCAA, conference (e.g., Horizon League), and Title IX regulations.

• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic priorities while effectively managing complex budgets, resources, personnel, and competing organizational priorities.

• Proven ability to recruit, develop, inspire, and retain talented coaches and staff while fostering a collaborative and accountable organizational culture.

• Demonstrated commitment to academic achievement, competitive excellence, student-athlete well-being, and holistic student development.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-sport athletics operations in a dynamic environment.

• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor engagement, revenue generation, sponsorship development, corporate partnerships, or other external relationship-building activities.

• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, relationship-building, and organizational leadership skills.

• Demonstrated ability to lead through change with integrity, sound judgment, adaptability, and strategic vision.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Detroit Mercy invites nominations and expressions of interest to be submitted to CSA Search & Consulting at detroitmercy.ad@csasearch.consulting.

Applications should be submitted through CSA Search & Consulting's website. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made.