Athletic directors are responsible for the oversight of sports programs at the middle school, high school and collegiate level. They are in charge of the following aspects of a school’s athletic program.

  • – Marketing and promotion
  • – Staffing decisions, including hiring and firing coaches and other staff
  • – Managing finances, including budgeting, fundraising and revenue planning
  • – Guaranteeing athletic facilities are maintained and kept up to code
  • – Planning and coordinating sporting events on the local, state or national level
  • – Maintain the academic integrity of their sports programs.

Because it is important for athletic directors to closely follow the rules, bylaws and policies and procedures of their school, school district and local, state and national associations and be ready to represent their school’s athletic program at all times, they must possess solid leadership, communication, motivational and problem-solving skills. Athletic directors usually begin as coaches, teachers or sports managers to work their way up through the ranks to the athletic director position. They may also work their way up through a school’s administration.

Salary Potential

Though the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report salary information for athletic directors, there are studies on the topic. USA Today reported in 2011 that the base pay rates for athletic directors ranged from $110,000 to more than $2.5 million. This is likely based on the salaries of athletic directors at large colleges and universities. The size of the school, the number of teams and the success of each team were all taken into consideration. PayScale, on the other hand, estimates that the median annual pay for all athletic directors is $52,389.

Education Required

When it comes to education, most athletic directors have a master’s degree. They should have a complete understanding of the following.

  • – Sports ethics and law
  • – Sports marketing
  • – Facility and event management
  • – Finance
  • – Leadership
  • – Ethics

Many schools prefer their athletic directors to have coaching experience.  Paid or volunteer experience can help bolster a resume. Diverse management skills help give candidates a leg up over the competition. Obtaining a Master of Education in Sports Administration is a big plus when it comes to landing a position as an athletic director.