Director of Athletic Compliance bei Westcliff University

Description

What if I told you it is possible to find a Company that lived to educate, inspire and empower others while creating a family atmosphere that truly appreciates and respects their team? Would you apply? What if I threw in strong Company values, outstanding benefits, and the opportunity for you to make a tangible impact and feel appreciated?

See below for a feel of what the Company culture is (REALLY) like. Hint: it's amazing.

At Westcliff, we are constantly striving to be the best while valuing each of our team members as human beings and succeeding together!

Westcliff is a leader in innovative global education. We are respected for our transformative, technologically advanced programs and initiatives with a focus on excellence, social responsibility, and diversity. Our tagline – “Educate. Inspire, Empower.” – is a summary of our Mission Statement. As it suggests, the main focus of our University is to strive to enhance the opportunities of our students and employees to enjoy success through empowerment, as a result of their education and hard work.  By joining the Westcliff team, you’ll be playing a significant role in our growth, having an opportunity to put your personal touch on Westcliff’s progress as we grow and succeed together!

The Director of Athletic Compliance and Eligibility is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of NAIA, Cal Pac, and institutional compliance while serving as a key advisor to senior leadership, coaches, student-athletes, and staff. This position oversees eligibility certification, compliance education, risk management, and internal controls.

This role is highly collaborative, working closely with academic affairs, admissions, registrar’s office, athletics staff, and external partners to maintain Westcliff’s competitive edge while upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct.

Position Summary

The Director of Athletic Compliance and Eligibility is a leader responsible for developing and executing the university’s athletics compliance strategy, driving innovation in governance, and ensuring student-athlete success. This role oversees NAIA, Cal Pac, and institutional compliance, manages all eligibility certification processes, and leads initiatives to strengthen institutional control and operational excellence.

The Director is expected to think strategically, act proactively, and serve as a trusted advisor to athletics leadership, coaches, faculty, and university executives on regulatory changes, risk management, and long-term program planning.

Requirements

Compliance Oversight

• Serve as the primary liaison with NAIA, Cal Pac, and internal university offices for compliance matters.
  
  
• Lead the development, implementation, and enforcement of compliance policies and procedures to ensure institutional control.
  
  
• Oversee NAIA Compliance Assistant, ARMS, and other monitoring systems to ensure data accuracy and compliance record-keeping.
  
  
• Manage rules interpretation, violation reporting, and institutional self-reports.
  
  

Eligibility Certification

• Direct all initial, transfer, and continuing eligibility certification for student-athletes in coordination with Admissions and the Registrar.
  
  
• Maintain proactive monitoring systems for satisfactory academic progress, enrollment requirements, and degree completion.
  
  
• Provide coaches and staff with accurate, timely updates on student-athlete eligibility status.
  
  

Education & Training

• Design and deliver annual compliance education programs for coaches, student-athletes, administrators, and support staff.
  
  
• Ensure all stakeholders understand rule changes, reporting requirements, and institutional expectations.
  
  

Strategic Component

• Serve as a thought partner to athletics leadership on compliance-related risks, emerging regulations, and program scalability.
  
  
• Recommend process improvements and compliance systems to support program expansion and long-term institutional goals.
  
  
• Use data-driven reporting to identify trends and help leadership make informed decisions about future resource needs.
  
  

Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise compliance personnel, including Associate/Assistant ADs, Compliance Coordinator, and Graduate Assistants.
  
  
• Build strong partnerships with Admissions, Registrar, Student Affairs, and academic departments to support a culture of compliance.
  
  
• Represent Westcliff at NAIA and conference-level compliance meetings.
  
  

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Administration, Sports Management, Higher Education, or related field (required).
  
  
• Experience: Minimum 4+(3+) years in athletics compliance (NAIA).
  
  
• Proven expertise in athletic governance, eligibility processes, and compliance software (ARMS, Compliance Assistant).
  
  
• Exceptional written/verbal communication and ability to present complex rules clearly.
  
  
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and proactive risk assessment abilities.
  
  
• Capacity to think strategically while maintaining an operational focus.
  
  

Key Competencies

• Regulatory Expertise & Risk Management
  
  
• Policy Development & Process Improvement
  
  
• Data Analysis & Reporting
  
  
• Strategic Awareness & Foresight
  
  
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  
  
• Student-Athlete Advocacy

Working Conditions

• Hybrid office schedule; regular travel to athletic events, conference meetings, and compliance training.
  
  
• Evening and weekend hours aligned with athletics schedules.
  
  
• Occasional lifting of equipment or materials (up to 25 lbs).
  
  

Why Join Westcliff Athletics

At Westcliff University, athletics is more than competition,  it’s a pillar of institutional growth. As the Director of Athletic Compliance and Eligibility, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping one of the fastest-growing athletics programs in the country, driving both excellence and integrity at every level.