The Big West is seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated individual to join the conference and oversee student-athlete programs, engagement, and development.  The qualified candidate will have at least five (5) years of experience working directly with student-athletes.  Experience in sports is also required as sport oversight and championship management are important aspects of this position. 

The successful candidate will be engaging and solution-oriented with excellent written and verbal communication skills and will have demonstrated initiative and collaboration with various constituents. This position will prioritize the enhancement of the student-athlete experience in The Big West, both in championship competition and in leadership positions within The Big West. 

Candidates must be proficient with current technology, creative in providing solutions to complex and sensitive issues and be able to work independently and in a team setting to efficiently meet established goals and deadlines. Reporting directly to the Commissioner, and part of the senior leadership team, the Assistant Commissioner will be responsible for the following:

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

1. Primary liaison for The Big West Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and associated subcommittees, inclusive of engaging and motivating participation by committee members, development of agendas and conducting meetings of the committee and subcommittees. 
2. Primary liaison for The Big West Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee named “Big West Undivided”, inclusive of engaging and motivating participation by committee members, development of agendas and conducting meetings of the committee and subcommittees. 
3. Development and implementation of leadership initiatives and programming for student-athletes.
4. Primary liaison for the institutional student-athlete development administrators.
5. Collaborate with internal and external constituencies to communicate the successes and tell the stories of Big West student-athletes.
6. Lead The Big West through the NCAA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Review.
7. Facilitate partnerships with other organizations and conferences to enhance The Big West initiatives surrounding student-athlete development, including career development, and student-athlete health and safety. 
8. Sport and championship oversight to be determined based on experience. This position will have responsibility for multiple sports and championships. 

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s degree required; Advanced degree preferred.
2. Minimum of five (5) years professional work experience in the development of student-athletes or a related field.  
3. Previous experience as a college student-athlete or team manager preferred. 
4. Previous experience in college athletics, with sport responsibility and event management experience strongly preferred.
5. Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.
6. Ability to demonstrate a calm, courteous and professional demeanor under pressure when working with a variety of situations and/or people (e.g., campus personnel, conference personnel, professional sports personnel, student-athletes).
7. Proven ability to take initiative and make sound decisions with little to no direction.
8. Ability to handle multiple tasks and assignments simultaneously.
9. High attention to detail and organizational skills.
10. Ability to communicate effectively and work with student-athletes, senior leadership and coaches. 
11. A commitment to honesty, integrity, and ethical conduct. 

WORK LOCATION

The office is based in Orange County, CA. The Big West staff has a flexible 3 days in the office/2 days work from home schedule.   

SALARY AND BENEFITS

$85,000 – $100,000, commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. 

To apply, send a cover letter, comprehensive resume and three references no later than Friday, February 9, 2024 to:

Kristi Giddings
Deputy Commissioner
The Big West
kgiddings@BigWest.org

ABOUT THE BIG WEST

Based in Irvine, California, rated as one of the best places to live and work in the United States, The Big West is an NCAA Division I conference with 11 member institutions with the shared goal of empowering every student-athlete in competition and in life and uniting its university communities through championship experiences. Formed in 1969, The Big West membership consists of Cal Poly, CSU Bakersfield, Cal State Fullerton, CSUN, Hawai‘i, Long Beach State, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara. 

The Big West is united in the pursuit of boundless opportunities, enduring integrity, bold activism, fearless innovation and the Pacific spirit of freedom, exploration and progress. 

Starting in 2024-25, The Big West will sponsor 21 sports at the NCAA Division I level: baseball, softball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s volleyball, women’s beach volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track and field and men’s and women’s water polo and men’s and women’s swimming and diving. 

For more information, visit BigWest.org or follow The Big West on Twitter @BigWestSports.

The Big West is an equal opportunity employer.