Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director

The Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director, Administration & Risk will serve as the primary liaison between USC’s Athletic Department and University Human Resources (UHR), Office of General Counsel (OGC) and Office of Athletics Compliance (OAC).

Reporting to the Director of Athletics with a dotted line relationship to the Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Ethics & Compliance, this role oversees athletics-related human resources, compliance, risk management, and legal operations. The Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director partners with university leadership to support workplace culture, employee engagement, hiring and onboarding, compliance initiatives, contract administration, and evolving legal matters impacting college athletics.

Key responsibilities will include the following:

Human Resources & Employee Relations

• Oversee Athletics recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and performance management in alignment with university policies and practices.

• Partner with UHR to support employee relations matters, including conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, compensation strategy, and salary equity reviews.

• Collaborate with UHR and WorkWell to implement employee training and professional development programs.

• Ensure Athletics policies and practices comply with university standards and applicable employment laws.

• Meet regularly with UHR partners to align priorities and support implementation of HR initiatives.

Legal, Risk & Compliance

• Serve as Athletics’ primary liaison to OGC and OAC on legal, compliance, labor, and risk-related matters.

• Manage NIL licensing agreements, employee contracts, incentive payments, and ContractLogix administration.

• Support NIL Go administration and monitor transactions for compliance.

• Coordinate with OGC on athletics business agreements, policy development, dispute resolution, litigation matters, and risk management.

• Monitor developments related to NCAA, Big Ten, labor relations, sports law, and related regulatory matters.

• Support Athletics Compliance initiatives, including NCAA, CSC, and Big Ten education and compliance efforts.

• Oversee protection of Athletics intellectual property, including trademark and copyright compliance.

General Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the Athletics Executive Team and as a sport administrator as assigned.

• Advise leadership on sensitive employee and operational matters in collaboration with UHR and OGC.

• Maintain legal and employee records and documentation.

• Assist with crisis management involving personnel, legal, or workplace issues.

Perform other related duties as assigned. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field(s); combined experience/education qualifies as a substitute for minimum education

• Eight (8) years of experience within human resources management with an understanding of labor relations, employee benefits and workplace compliance; combined experience/education qualifies as a substitute for minimum experience

• Six (6) years of experience within a management role

• Experience in contract negotiation/administration and dispute resolution

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines

• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and provide practical solutions

• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information

• Legal experience with understanding of applicable laws and regulations

• Experience with risk management

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and admission to the bar in the applicable jurisdiction (please note this role will not serve as a practicing attorney)

• 10 years of work experience within human resources management with an understanding of labor relations, employee benefits and workplace compliance

• Experience working within college athletics or professional sports

• Knowledge of the collective bargaining process and/or cap salary management

• Experience managing employee training and development programs

• Proven experience in legal practice with a focus on sports law, employment law, or corporate law

• Complete and working knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations

Work Environment:

• Fast-paced environment with non-traditional workhours and high visibility

• Occasional travel for events, games and meetings is required

• Evening, weekend, or holiday hours will be necessary

Application Process

The University of Southern California invites letters of nomination, applications or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University. Applications should include a cover letter, current resume or curriculum vitae, and a list of professional references. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. For full consideration, application materials should be submitted at Parker Executive Search’s website.

For additional information, please contact:

Daniel Parker, Vice President and Managing Director

DeLaina Sarden, Principal

Gray McGee, Associate

[email protected] | [email protected]

770-804-1996 ext. 119 | 770-804-1996 ext. 132

Required Documents and Additional Information

Resume and cover letter required (may be submitted as one attachment).

The annual base salary range for this position is $240,000-$275,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To support faculty and staff well-being, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of benefits and perks to help protect their and their dependents’ health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package.

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Addtional Experience Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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