Senior Associate AD, Governance & Strategic Initiatives

Job Summary

Join Auburn Athletics in a pivotal role—where forward-thinking leadership meets regulatory excellence. We’re excited to begin the search for our next Senior Associate AD for Governance & Strategic Initiatives.

The individual in the role provides leadership in managing strategic projects, advancing governance initiatives, and ensuring continuity of leadership. The role is designed to support forward-looking planning while maintaining accountability for select regulatory functions. Essential Functions

• Collaborates with the Executive Associate AD of Compliance in the daily operations and delivery of services to ongoing programs and activities in functional areas through planning, evaluating, advising, and counseling to ensure compliance with rules.
• Provides feedback to the Executive Associate AD of Compliance on the planning of policies and procedures and implementation of long and short-range plans and strategies, and functional areas.
• Provides counsel and guidance to coaches, staff members, and student-athletes in assigned sports to ensure the needs of the program are met and rules are upheld.
• Assesses program effectiveness and consistency with university-wide programs and goals and
• Provides feedback, where needed, on changes for improvement.
• Assures appropriate controls are in place to adequately safeguard departmental assets.
• May serve as liaison between other departments to ensure the needs of assigned programs are met, and serves on a variety of committees.
• Provides leadership continuity by assisting with decision-making, representation, and consistent
• communication of compliance policies in the Executive Senior Associate AD’s absence, as appropriate.
• Monitor and interpret evolving NCAA and SEC legislation, including NIL , roster management, and scholarship regulations, and assist in preparing the department for timely adaptation. Assist with the integration of new and evolving regulatory requirements into new and existing athletic department practices, policies and procedures.
• Coordinate with campus partners (e.g., financial aid, registrar, legal, HR, Title IX) to ensure integrated compliance practices and support institutional control.
• Develop and deliver modern compliance education programs for coaches, staff, and student-athletes, leveraging both in-person and digital platforms.
• Serve as sport liaison for assigned high-profile programs, providing rules interpretations and compliance guidance while escalating complex matters as needed.
• Contribute to risk assessment, audit readiness, and process improvements to strengthen the department’s compliance operations and reporting.
• May represent the Athletics Department in meetings, conferences, and other public functions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Why Work at Auburn?

• Life-Changing Impact : Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence : We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You : Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama : The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone : Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.

Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Administration, Management, Business Administration, Education or related field.
• 8 years of extensive leadership experience directing a compliance program at the autonomy conference level, with responsibility for adherence to all applicable rules and regulations.

Minimum Skills, License, and Certifications

Minimum Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of National Collegiate Athletic Association ( NCAA ) and Southeastern Conference ( SEC ) rules and regulations; budget planning and analysis, accounting principles, and safety guidelines.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain and develop personal contacts with outside groups, i.e., student-athletes, coaches, professional representatives, fans, media, donors, and the University community.
• Ability to stay abreast of information impacting the affected area.