The Big West is seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated leader to lead operations for 21 conference championships, serve as the primary sport administrator for several sports, and work with other members of The Big West staff who serve as sport and championship administrators.  This individual will prioritize the enhancement of the student-athlete experience in Big West championship competition and events.   

The successful candidate will be an engaging and solution-oriented team player with excellent written and verbal communication skills and will have demonstrated success working with various constituents to provide a high-quality championship experience for student-athletes. The preferred candidate will actively communicate and be responsive with key constituent groups and institutions and should have at least ten (10) years of experience working in sport administration and/or championships.   

Candidates must be proficient with current technology, creative in providing solutions to complex and sensitive issues and able to work independently and in a team setting to efficiently meet established goals and deadlines within defined budgets and parameters. The position will report directly to the Commissioner and be part of the senior leadership team.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Championships

• Ensure the successful management, coordination, and execution of all Conference championships, including developing and amending championship policies and procedures as needed.
• Provide event administration for several championships, overseeing event preparation and on-site operations including but not limited to digital platform updates, forms, manuals, surveys, timeline maintenance, and volunteer management.
• Manage, develop, and/or oversee budgets.
• Lead or participate in planning meetings and conference calls with host championship venues as needed.
• Negotiate and execute facility, hotel, medical, and other consultant/vendor contracts as needed.
• Manage or oversee the development and ordering of championship signage, merchandise, equipment, and gifts.
• Oversee ordering and delivery of conference awards.
• Ensure marketing and branding across all championships is executed consistently and within brand style guidelines.
• Manage or oversee NCAA automatic qualification notifications.
• Collaborate with external staff regarding sponsorship fulfillment at championship events.
• Manage bid proposals and selection of hosts for future Big West Championships.
• Coordinate or oversee coordination of officials for Big West Championships.
• Monitor and communicate national and Conference issues regarding championships.

Sport Administration

• Oversee, manage, and execute sport administration for assigned sports.
• Serve as staff liaison to assigned head coaches’ groups and other membership committees or subcommittees as needed.
• Work with outside scheduling partner and membership to develop, review, and manage conference schedules.
• For assigned sports, serve as primary contact for Coordinator of Officials and assist with managing conference officiating programs including, but not limited to, issue management, background checks, contracts, assignment review, attendance at clinics, and support for officiating software and payments.
• Monitor and work with other Big West staff to enforce NCAA and Big West bylaws and policies.
• Monitor and communicate national and conference issues, updates, and rules for assigned sports.
• Collaborate with other sport administrators in the conference office to ensure consistency across sports.

General

• Serve as a member of The Big West’s senior management team.
• Assist with developing, planning, and implementing strategies, goals, and priorities.
• Ensure Conference operations in areas of responsibility comply with NCAA and Big West policies.
• Ensure student-athlete experience and well-being is a priority in all Big West initiatives.
• Develop professional and collaborative relationships with Big West member institutions.
• Ensure calendaring and meeting of deadlines.  Work well in advance on development of championship and game management handbooks.
• Serve as the lead contact with The Big West Sports Medicine group.
• Work collaboratively with other Conference Office staff members, maintain a helpful and positive demeanor, andbe responsive to fellow staff and member institutions.
• Oversee and mentor other members of the Big West staff as appropriate.  Hold staff accountable for their work by setting clear expectations, achieving commitments, providing feedback, and evaluating effectiveness.
• Effectively manage budgets, consistently serving as a good steward of the membership’s economic resources.
• Represent The Big West and/or the Commissioner at internal and external meetings.
• Act as conference liaison to cabinets, committees, and advisory groups as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s degree required; Advanced degree preferred.
2. Minimum of ten (10) years professional work experience in sport administration, championship or event management, 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 required.
5. Significant leadership experience is required.
6. Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.
7. 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).
8. Proven ability to take initiative and make sound decisions with little to no direction.
9. Ability to meet deadlines and to handle multiple tasks and assignments simultaneously.
10. High attention to detail and organizational skills.
11. Ability to effectively communicate and work with senior leadership and coaches.
12. Ability to build teams, foster teamwork and collaborate (with both internal and external constituents) to problem-solve and advance strategic priorities.
13. Ability to facilitate and lead meetings
14. A commitment to honesty, integrity, and ethical conduct.

WORK LOCATION

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

SALARY AND BENEFITS

$100,000 – $150,000, 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, January 12, 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.

• The Big West Unpaid Internship ProgramThe Big West’s Unpaid Internship Program provides the opportunity to receive hands-on sport administration education and training in a NCAA Division I collegiate athletic conference office. The Big West interns are needed for the 2023-24 competition season (September through May), and the summer months (June through August) at The Big West Office in Southern California, working in an internship core area.In addition to the core internship area identified, interns will be exposed to and involved in the ongoing development of Big West initiatives and will be provided with hands-on training, experience and learning opportunities, while developing lasting relationships in collegiate athletics. The goal for each intern is to receive beneficial learning, relevant education and training that will help prepare them for careers in collegiate athletics and be future leaders in the industry.Internship Core Areas
  • Strategic Communications
  • Social & Digital Media Video Editor
   RequirementsMust have received or in the process towards a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and the ability to take an internship in exchange for college credit. Desired qualifications are based on each internship core emphasis. Please see area specific internship descriptions for more information.Instructions to ApplyFor full consideration of the 2023-24 competition year internship program, please send your internship core area preference, cover letter, resume and three references to the Big West Director of Marketing and Digital Media Sara Perry (sperry@bigwest.org).2023-24 Competition Year                                       
  Internship Start Date: September 2023                                  
  Internship End Date: June 30, 2024                                 Many Big West interns have found successful careers after their internship experience.