Human Resources

Lake Forest College invites applications for the position of Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Athletics.  

Lake Forest College is a highly selective liberal arts college located on Chicago’s North Shore with a current enrollment of approximately 1,750 students from over 40 states and more than 100 countries. It is one of the most diverse small colleges in the Midwest with nearly 40% of our student body comprised of domestic students of color and international students and consistently ranked as one of America’s top liberal arts colleges. Learn more about Lake Forest College’s recognition as a top-tier college. Reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment, and Campus Life, the Assistant Vice President of Athletics (Director of Athletics) will support the mission of the College through successful administrative leadership and direction of a comprehensive athletics program that includes intercollegiate varsity athletics, club sports, intramurals, physical education, and recreation.  The AVP will also play a key role in continuing what has become an established Tradition of Excellence in Forester Athletics - one that embraces community collaboration and fosters student-athlete success in the classroom, in competition, as community members, and in career preparation and post-graduate success.

The College sponsors 25 intercollegiate varsity sport programs with approximately 500 student-athletes competing annually. Lake Forest is a member of NCAA Division III, the Midwest Conference (MWC), the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA), and the United States Handball Association (USHA). The College is an affiliate member of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) for men’s and women’s golf and the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) for men’s and women’s lacrosse. Learn more about Forester Athletics.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as the Director of Athletics.
• Support the mission of the College through successful administrative leadership and direction of a comprehensive athletics program that includes intercollegiate varsity athletics, club sports, intramurals, physical education, and recreation.
• Assume an integral role in continuing what has become an established Tradition of Excellence in Forester Athletics - one that embraces community collaboration and fosters student-athlete success in the classroom, in competition, as community members, and in career preparation and post-graduate success.
• Manage all facets of the athletic program in a manner consistent with the mission, philosophy, and goals of the institution. This includes the oversight of coaches, staff, and student-athletes, recruitment, facilities, game day operations, contest scheduling, budget management, fundraising, marketing, and departmental communication for 25 intercollegiate varsity sports and a wide array of club sport, intramural, physical education, and recreation offerings.
• Oversee the hiring, training, supervision, and evaluation of coaches and staff and delegate specific responsibilities to ensure the efficient and productive operation of all department administrative and operational functions. Serve as the point person for departmental communication and ongoing mentorship and supervision of coaches, staff, and student-athletes.
  Serve as a member of the Campus Life senior leadership team, collaborating with colleagues from the Dean of Students Office, Gates Center for Leadership and Personal Growth, Residence Life, Health and Wellness, Public Safety, and Inclusive Excellence. Work together to support a transformational student experience by strengthening the integration of athletics within campus life and ensuring meaningful connections between the two.
• Develop collaborative and effective partnerships with various campus stakeholders to optimize and ensure success in the recruitment and retention of student-athletes, marketing of the athletics department’s successes and initiatives, and their engagement as alumni.
• Facilitate academic, athletic, and community excellence for student-athletes by working closely with Faculty Athletic Representatives (FAR’s) and colleagues in the Office of Campus Life and Student Success to ensure success in the classroom, with coaches and staff to ensure success in competition, and with Athletic Council and SAAC to ensure a success as members of the Forester community.
• Ensure campus compliance and adherence to the rules and regulations of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), our respective athletic conferences, and all College-wide policies and procedures.
• Represent the college on NCAA and conference matters and assume responsibility for the completion of all necessary reports.
• Foster strong partnerships with campus stakeholders to enhance student-athlete recruitment and retention, elevate the visibility of athletic achievements and initiatives, and strengthen alumni engagement. Collaborate with the Offices of Advancement and Marketing and Communication to lead athletic marketing and fan engagement efforts, with a focus on expanding the Forester Athletic Network (F.A.N. Club) in both membership and fundraising.
• Support and develop annual programming for the Forester Game Plan (career development and networking) and Forester Impact Series (community building and engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion, mental and physical health, Title IX, and sexual misconduct prevention).

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated commitment to a program of academic and athletic excellence and a minimum of eight to ten years of athletic administrative experience in a collegiate setting required. Bachelor’s degree in related area required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Proven leadership and management skills, particularly as they relate to establishing and communicating priorities, advancing innovative practices, building strategic partnerships, and solving problems required.
• A collaborative management approach with relationship-building skills, experience building a team, and leading and/or supervising the work of others. Demonstrated experience with hiring, training, and evaluating employees required.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, a high degree of cultural competence, and respect for a wide range of identities and experiences required.
• Experience working with Title 9 regulations and protocols required.
• Must have strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to deliver information in a clear, concise, and articulate manner to multiple stakeholder groups.
• Ability to effectively manage conflict required.
• An understanding and appreciation of a small liberal arts college environment, NCAA Division III athletics, and the overall student experience required.
• Weekend and evening availability required. Occasional travel for athletic related activities required.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Candidates must submit a letter of application and resume. Applications received by March 21, 2025, will receive full consideration. The anticipated starting date for the position is June 2025.

Interested candidates should submit all materials electronically to Dr. Ed Whipple, Interim Vice President for Campus Life via forestersearches@lakeforest.edu

SALARY:
$115,000-140,000. Hiring will be contingent on successful background and reference checks.