About Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis

Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) was founded in 1969 after late former Indianapolis mayor and U.S. Senator Richard Lugar said, “a great city must have at its heart a great university.” That statement ultimately resulted in the merger of Indiana University and Purdue University in Indianapolis with the mission to advance the state of Indiana and the intellectual growth of its residents to the highest levels nationally and internationally through research and creative activity, teaching and learning, and civic engagement.

IUPUI, nationally ranked among Tier 1 public universities for innovation, undergraduate teaching and service learning by U.S. News & World Report, is home to approximately 26,000 students from diverse backgrounds: 41% of IUPUI’s beginning students are students of Color and more than 1,700 students identify as international students representing 139 countries. IUPUI is the state’s third largest university by enrollment as well as the state’s 18^th largest employer with nearly 8,500 full-time faculty and staff, with more than 95% of faculty holding professional or doctoral degrees. The university offers more than 500 student organizations and 550+ degree and certificate programs with 17 degree-granting schools. These schools include the largest school of medicine in the nation, the only school of philanthropy in the world, the only school of dentistry in the state and one of the nation’s largest schools for nursing. Most IUPUI graduates call Indiana and Indianapolis their homes as 88.4% remain in Indiana and 61.3% stay in Indianapolis.

Transformation to IU Indianapolis

To thrive in the coming decades and to increase the number of job-ready graduates in an innovation-led economy, fuel economic growth in the region and the state, and enhance service to the state of Indiana and beyond, IU President Pamela Whitten and former Purdue University President Mitch Daniels announced on August 12, 2022, a bold new vision for higher education in Indianapolis – the realignment of IUPUI into separate academic organizations. The university will build upon its academic and research strengths and will be rebranded as Indiana University Indianapolis effective July 1, 2024.  

About IUPUI Athletics

IUPUI is home to downtown Indianapolis’ only Division I college sports program. As a member of the Horizon League, IUPUI competes in 18 varsity sports at the NCAA Division I level. The core values of the Athletic Department are to “Recruit… Retain… Graduate Champions.” University leadership, faculty, staff, students, and Indianapolis locals are all committed to the success of the student-athletes on and off the field. The goal is not only to enhance the athletic experience for all Jaguar student-athletes and create champions, but to use sports as a vehicle to create champions in the classroom where they will earn a degree and emerge prepared for a lifetime of success. IUPUI student-athletes believe in attacking every challenge with determination, being fierce competitors, and creating tradition in a team sport. 

Position Overview

Reporting to the Chancellor, the Director of Athletics will serve as the principal administrator for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Director of Athletics will advance the 5-year strategic plan, negotiate contracts, supervise the coaching and administrative staff and successfully transition IUPUI Athletics to IU Indianapolis Athletics. The Director of Athletics will need to establish policies and procedures that ensure the department meets institutional, Horizon League, and NCAA guidelines. The Director of Athletics is expected to set a strong priority for academic excellence of all student-athletes at the university. Having a strong working relationship with external constituents, donors, and serving on the Jaguars Athletics Club Board of Directors is critical to setting and meeting fundraising goals and priorities. The Director of Athletics must represent IUPUI on Horizon League and NCAA committees while working to ensure that student-athlete well-being, gender equity, and diversity are departmental priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct and administer the IUPUI Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
• Set funding priorities and external fundraising goals to grow and maintain a NCAA Division I athletics program. Work with the Associate AD for External Affairs, Jaguars Athletics Club Board, and IU Foundation to increase external financial support for IUPUI Intercollegiate Athletics.
• Ensure that the department is in compliance with Title IX, gender equity, and diversity regulations and standards, while also creating an environment that is supportive of these institutional priorities.
• Work in conjunction with the fiscal officer and sports administrators to develop and submit the annual budget.
• Delegate supervisor responsibilities within the department and evaluate direct reports on an annual basis.
• Approve game contracts and individual sport schedules prior to submission to the Athletics Affairs Committee.
• Act as the primary spokesperson for IUPUI Intercollegiate Athletics.
• Work with staff to design and implement policies and procedures for travel, ordering of equipment, NCAA compliance, and personnel management.
• Work with campus academic officers and athletics academic advising office to ensure policies and procedures are established to maximize student-athlete academic performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10 years of work experience in a senior administrative role within an intercollegiate athletic department or other relevant work experience with an openness to consider non-traditional candidates.
• Demonstrated success in establishing, managing, and meeting fundraising goals and priorities is preferred.
• Skills, abilities, and knowledge relating to a regulatory environment with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment while effectively communicating with internal and external constituents, including alumni and corporate partners.
• Commitment to excellence in academics and athletics.
• Proficiency in budget planning, strategic planning, facilities management, and personnel evaluation.
• Evidence of sensitivity to diversity, equity, inclusion, and equal opportunity.
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and university departments.
• Evidence of high ethical standards as well as personal and professional integrity.
• Commitment to understanding the University’s vision while developing a future vision for the department.

Application Process

IUPUI invites nominations and applications or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University. Applications must include a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, and list of references. For full consideration, application materials should be submitted to Parker Executive Search’s website by April 12, 2023. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made.

For additional information, please contact:

Daniel Parker, Vice President and Managing Director
Grant Higgison, Principal
Xavier Harper, Executive Recruiting Coordinator
danielparker@parkersearch.com | ghiggison@parkersearch.com  | xharper@parkersearch.com  
Parker Executive Search
770-804-1996 ext. 116 | 770-804-1996 ext. 118 | 770-804-1996 ext. 123

Indiana University pledges itself to continue its commitment to the achievement of equal opportunity within the University and throughout American society as a whole. In this regard, Indiana University will recruit, hire, promote, educate, and provide services to persons based upon their individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.