Associate Athletic Director of Academic Services

Position overview

This full-time role is based in Santa Barbara, California, and sits within the collegiate sports sector. The position carries an annual salary range of $71,600 to $101,080 initially, with the full budgeted salary range extending from $71,600 to $127,400 per year. Compensation is determined by the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience, along with the approved budget and the university’s equitable pay practices. The role is identified internally as number 87228.

Role summary

The Associate Athletic Director of Academic Services leads the administration, oversight, management, and policy development for a comprehensive academic support structure serving student-athletes across all ICA Division I athletic programs at UCSB. The position oversees academic analysis, advising, tutoring, and mentoring initiatives designed to strengthen student-athlete academic success, retention, and graduation outcomes.

Core functions

This position directly supervises staff and helps shape programming that supports academic achievement and NCAA compliance. It also manages the athletic admissions process in partnership with the Director of Admissions, admissions counselors, and the Athletic Academic Review Committee. The role requires deep familiarity with institutional, NCAA, and conference rules, policies, and procedures, and it involves building systems that help student-athletes meet NCAA academic standards.

The incumbent monitors student-athlete progress toward degree completion in alignment with UCSB, conference, and NCAA requirements, ensuring advising decisions are based on accurate eligibility and progress information. The role also includes analyzing complex student situations, identifying solutions related to initial and continuing NCAA eligibility, and acting as a liaison between the College of Letters and Science, Intercollegiate Athletics, and other academic and non-academic campus units.

Additional duties include providing NCAA rules education and training to campus departments; assisting with admissions evaluations for prospective student-athletes; developing academic and life-skills programming; preparing academic analysis and progress reports for ICA leadership, L&S, coaches, and staff; and supporting APR, GSR, and FGR reporting and documentation in coordination with the Registrar’s Office and athletics compliance staff. The role also involves preparing and presenting student-athlete outcome reports to ICA administration and other campus partners such as L&S, the Office of the Chancellor, and the Academic Senate.

About UCSB Athletics

UC Santa Barbara is located on the Pacific Ocean and is recognized among the top 10 public universities in the United States. It is also part of the Association of American Universities. The UCSB Athletics Department fields 20 intercollegiate teams and supports 450 student-athletes competing for championships in the Big West Conference and at the NCAA Division I level. The Gauchos have earned a record 10 Big West Conference Commissioner’s Cups as the league’s all-sports champion.

Additional details

Posted on 02-Jul-26 in Santa Barbara, California. The role is categorized under Operations and Operations - Academic Support within the collegiate sports sector.

Required education and qualifications

A four-year degree is required. The ideal candidate should also bring related education or equivalent experience and training, along with strong experience in academic advising, counseling, and student support in higher education or a related environment. The role expects experience serving diverse student populations and supporting student-athletes through programming, workshops, and leadership or community service initiatives.

Candidates should have working knowledge of NCAA and conference legislation, policies, and procedures; advising and counseling methods; college, school, and department requirements; and the ability to interpret NCAA rules and UCSB Academic Senate policy. Strong judgment, decision-making, problem-solving, project management, and multitasking skills are important, along with the ability to identify problems and develop original solutions.

The position also requires knowledge of multiple majors, colleges, and schools, familiarity with Letters and Science departments and curricula, strong written communication skills for clear and precise reports and correspondence, and solid computer proficiency with Google Suite, Zoom, Microsoft Office, and standard office and educational software.