UNC Charlotte

Background:

UNC Charlotte is a public research university located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded in 1946, it has grown significantly over the decades, and as of fall 2025, enrolls more than 32,000 students — making it the third-largest institution in the University of North Carolina System. The university offers a wide range of programs: 83 bachelor’s, 65 master’s and 25 doctoral degrees across eight primary colleges, an Honors College and Graduate School.. In February 2025, Charlotte achieved the prestigious “R1” designation (very high research activity), emphasizing its growing role as a center for innovation, scholarship and community-engaged research.

Charlotte, North Carolina - the "Queen City" - is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. offering the economic strength of a global financial hub alongside the livability and character of a vibrant Southern city. With a city population approaching 950,000 and a metro area exceeding 2.8 million, Charlotte attracts an average of 157 new residents daily. Its economy is diverse and dynamic, anchored by finance and banking, health care, professional and technical services, and a burgeoning energy and tech sector. Home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and a thriving business community, the region’s workforce and GDP have grown ahead of national averages.

For a Director of Athletics, Charlotte offers a rare opportunity to lead Division I athletics in a major professional sports market with significant upside for national visibility, revenue growth, and brand expansion. The city’s strong corporate presence, passionate sports culture, and expanding population create an exceptional environment for advancing competitive excellence, student-athlete success, and philanthropic support.

The athletic program at Charlotte — known as the Charlotte 49ers — competes at the highest collegiate level, NCAA Division I, and as of 2023, Charlotte joined the American Conference. The athletics program sponsors 19 varsity teams, including men’s football and men’s and women’s basketball, along with 16 additional varsity programs. These include men’s baseball; women’s lacrosse, softball and volleyball; and men’s and women’s programs in cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, and indoor/outdoor track & field.

Position Summary:

UNC Charlotte is seeking a high-energy, entrepreneurial and innovative leader for the position of Director of Athletics (AD). The AD is responsible for the administration and direction of the overall intercollegiate athletic program. This position requires someone with expertise in intercollegiate athletics management, a keen business sense a demonstrated record of successful fundraising and an appreciation for the important role athletics plays as the “front porch” of the University. In consultation with the appropriate University administrators and key stakeholders, the AD is responsible for the formulation and implementation of all athletic policies, procedures and programs; ensuring compliance with all federal, NCAA, American Conference and University athletics regulations, policies and procedures; administering departmental funds and accounts in a fiscally responsible manner; and sustaining a culture of ethics, sportsmanship and professionalism at all levels.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leverage external constituencies to identify and create new revenue growth opportunities for the University.
• Oversee supervision, management, leadership and administration of the athletics department, including coaches, staff and administrators, in a team-oriented work environment. Ensure an environment that promotes student-athlete health and welfare and a commitment to strong academic values.
• Leverage athletics as a prominent gateway to the University, generating institutional momentum that strengthens and advances all areas of the campus. Collaborate in the construction, management and maintenance of the University's athletic facilities.
• Be the public face of the University's intercollegiate athletics program, working with all internal and external constituencies in furtherance of the department's contribution to the University's educational mission.
• Find new ways to reset and reinvigorate how the athletics department conducts and optimizes its business.  
• Understand and implement marketing and promotion strategies to enhance the brand of Charlotte Athletics, promote a positive fan experience, and maximize and increase student and fan attendance for all athletics events.
• Possess a willingness to engage and establish relationships in the Charlotte community by speaking to civic groups, working with media and interacting with spectators at-large on behalf of the University.
• Utilize technology and digital marketing to innovatively grow the University brand and all its initiatives.
• Serve on the chancellor’s cabinet and partner with cabinet members on issues of strategic importance to the University.

Qualifications, Skills and Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in relevant field preferred.
• Ideally, ten (10) years of progressively responsible management experience involving the administration of an intercollegiate athletics program.
• Innovative thinker who is intellectually curious and thoughtful about the future of college athletics.
• Strategic leader who has the ability and determination to collaborate across campus with constituents for the greater good of the University.
• Strong presence with a proven ability to mobilize others in an organized way to carry out a vision.
• Possesses the foresight of where we are today, but most importantly, where we are going tomorrow as it pertains to conference realignment, innovation, programming and growth opportunities.
• Knowledge and a plan to navigate the ever-changing intercollegiate landscape, including but not limited to Revenue Share, Name, Image & Likeness (NIL), Alston funds, the transfer portal, and proposed NCAA governance and Bylaw changes.
• Demonstrated record of achievement in revenue generation, marketing and fundraising, as well as donor stewardship and athletic development activities.
• Must possess supervision techniques, administrative budgeting and financial record-keeping and control.  
• Demonstrated experience advancing all aspects of diversity and inclusion, assuring gender equity and full compliance with Title IX.
• Ability to interact effectively with public constituencies, senior university leaders, faculty, staff, students, donors and other stakeholders, as well as brand marketing, public relations and media experience.  
• Demonstrated commitment to academic integrity and the academic progress and graduation of student athletes.
• A strong work ethic, excellent listening skills, great attention to detail, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to make tough decisions, handle criticism, debate, and seek out feedback.

Any interested candidates should contact ZRG directly.
Contacting The University of North Carolina at Charlotte will only delay consideration of your qualifications.

Application Process:

• Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and references  at www.ZRGPartners.com/jobboard.

TurnkeyZRG’s Commitment:

At TurnkeyZRG, we do not just accept differences—we celebrate and support them. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital or partnership status, military or veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. TurnkeyZRG is an equal opportunity employer and workplace, and we encourage applicants of all backgrounds & communities to apply.  

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