University of Central Florida

Position Summary:

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Athletics serves as the administrative operational leader for the department with day-to-day business and administrative functions in alignment with the Director of Athletics’ vision. This position plays a central role in driving organizational effectiveness, resource optimization, and execution of initiatives that advance the department’s competitive success, academic mission, and financial sustainability and growth.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides departmental leadership that adheres to the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and compliance in all athletics, academic, and business matters, and in the development and enforcement of all existing policies and procedures. Ensures an environment that is committed to the best interest of student-athletes consistent with their educational, ethical, social, and physical development.
• Promotes and protects the department’s operational self-sufficiency in a manner consistent with the university’s mission, vision, and operating policies and procedures. Involves engagement with management team members ensuring sound decisions with regard to departmental matters and long-term planning / operations.
• Provides strategic direction on behalf of the Vice President / Athletics Director for philanthropic and revenue-generating outcomes and initiatives, aligning efforts with UCFAA strategic priorities and the facilities master plan. Actively engages in fundraising and revenue-generating opportunities in the enhancement of organizational goals / objectives.
• Provides executive oversight of Business & Finance, Human Resources & Risk Management, and Information Technology, ensuring all operations comply with federal, state, and University policies/regulations.
• Provides executive oversight of facilities, events, and operational functions, ensuring all facilities and activities comply with University policies, Conference requirements and NCAA regulations / standards.
• Oversees the Competitive Success Unit, actively participating in the governance, oversight and advisory responsibility for Revenue Share for UCFAA.
• Assists the Athletics Director, General Managers (Football, other sport specific) and head coaches on CAP strategies for recruiting and roster management.
• Participates in the development of UCF Athletics’ budget and its components; has budget oversight responsibilities (to be assigned), including contract administration, and serves as an authorized signatory for areas of assignment.
• Provides oversight and evaluation in alignment with the department’s strategic plan and direction of nationally competitive sports programs, with emphasis on staffing (coaches / administrators), budget development / management, scheduling, and roster management, requiring attendance at home events, travel to selected away events, and attendance at Conference and NCAA tournament competitions. Includes participation in the development, management, and service as an authorized signatory on program expenses, as well as management of issues relative to student-athletes.
• Partners with the Athletics Director and executive team to implement the department’s strategic plan, ensuring alignment with university priorities and conference mandates.
• Directs long-range financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and fiscal management of a multimillion-dollar Power 4 athletics budget.
• Collaborates with Deputy AD/CFO on revenue-share distributions, NIL compliance, donor/capital funding, and auxiliary revenue initiatives.
• Evaluates and optimizes business processes to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and maximize ROI.
• Ensures operational policies adhere to NCAA, conference, federal/state regulations, and institutional guidelines.
• Supports risk management, internal audit reviews, and legal/compliance initiatives.
• Serves as a key partner to external units (development, corporate sponsorships, marketing, communications) to align operations with revenue generation and brand positioning strategies.
• Represents the Athletics Director in internal and external meetings as needed.
• Cultivates strong relationships with conference officials, peer institutions, and university leadership.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree and six (6) years appropriate experience
• Appropriate graduate coursework or master’s degree may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understands that rules compliance is a critical element of this position and adheres to NCAA, Conference, UCF, and UCFAA rules, regulations, and policies. Attends appropriate rules compliance programs offered by the NCAA, Conference, UCF, and UCFAA Athletics Compliance Office.
• Must be well-organized, thorough, and accurate in planning, preparation, and processing of work-related materials and activities. Must meet deadlines as established. Must be cooperative and communicate effectively with a variety of people. Requires high level of interpersonal and organizational skills.

Due to the nature/scope of Athletics and Athletics events, position often requires attendance at scheduled games, which may require work during evenings, weekends, and holidays, as well as the ability to stand / walk for extended periods of time.

Salary:

• Negotiable

Please note that UCF Athletics operates as a Direct Support Organization (DSO) of the University of Central Florida, with different payroll and benefits than university employees. If interested in positions with the university, please click Here to visit their website.

As a proud member of the Big 12 Conference, our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the university. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as “Orlando's Hometown Team.”

UCF Athletics values our employees and working for us has its perks, including:

• Benefit packages: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Supplemental Insurances, Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts, and Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness initiatives: UCF Athletics is recognized by Cigna Healthcare with the silver level Healthy Workforce Designation for our commitment to employee well-being and vitality through our benefits offerings, wellness platform and programming
• Paid time off for applicable positions, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays  
• Retirement savings options   
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions   
• Tickets to UCF sporting events
• Education assistance 

To learn more about UCF and the Knights, visit our websites at ucf.edu and ucfknights.com.

Any interested candidates should contact ZRG directly.
Contacting The University of Central Florida will only delay consideration of your qualifications.

Application Process:

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

ZRG’s Commitment:

At ZRG, we do not just accept differences—we celebrate and support it. 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. ZRG is an equal opportunity employer and workplace, and we encourage applicants of all backgrounds & communities to apply.