Director of Football Operations
Laseagrant, Urbana, IL, United States
Director of Football Operations
Division Intercollegiate Athletics
Job Summary
The Director of Football Operations will serve an essential part of the football operations staff in organizing, planning, managing, and supervising services for the University of Illinois football program.
Duties & Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Oversee the daily set up for practice or gameday.
Liaison with coaching staff and administration.
Monitor and analyze overall program budget, including proposed travel budget annually.
Authorized to make P-card and T-card purchases on behalf of the assigned sport.
Manage the team per diem card program for current student-athletes, staff, and official visits; work with Financial Operations to order cards and report lost/stolen cards.
Coordinate with the Business Office for special payment arrangements with vendors.
Ensure all policies are followed to support DIA, campus, and NCAA.
Collaborate with comprehensive team travel logistics with the Assistant Athletic Director, Football Operations regarding travel arrangements for the team/staff and manage needs during home and away competitions related to team communication, itineraries, equipment needs, team meals and per diem cards.
Lead advance travel operations, securing transportation, managing facility access, and serve as voice on‑site for away games.
Assist with Bowl Game/Post‑Season operations, including travel party logistics, per diem distribution, nutrition‑coordinated BEOs, and post‑event analysis.
Cultivate strategic partnerships with host institutions and vendors through proactive site visits and relationship management.
Administer training camp housing assignments to ensure optimal living arrangements for student‑athletes and staff.
External Relations & Communication
Manage branding strategy for Illinois Athletics and the head coach, coordinating and developing a communication plan and schedule for the head coach.
Serve as the primary operational partner to the incoming student‑athlete transition liaison and assist in leading “Welcome Week” transition to Illinois Football for all incoming student athletes; coordinate welcome schedule with Medical, Equipment, Video, Academics, Nutrition and related departments.
Direct parent and family relations, acting as a professional touchpoint between the program and student‑athlete support systems.
Administer student‑athlete support programs, streamlining current athlete off‑campus housing processes and ensuring financial aid compliance.
Compliance & Program Support
Uphold rigorous compliance standards, ensuring all football operations adhere to NCAA, Big Ten Conference, and University of Illinois regulations.
Sync with Compliance, Academics and Administration to unify departmental policies and ensure seamless process alignment.
Assist with Student Athlete Time Management and CARA logs in collaboration with the Assistant AD to guarantee accurate reporting.
Execute operational support for high‑impact initiatives, including community engagement, team‑bonding, and recruiting events.
Analyze and refine organizational strategies and workflows, delivering recommendations to leadership for program enhancement and risk mitigation.
Physical Demands
Moving items up to 50 lbs: Occasionally
Additional Physical Demands
Demonstrated leadership and management skills.
Strong organizational and problem‑solving abilities with proven success coordinating complex logistics.
Effective communication in a fast‑paced environment.
Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends and extensive air travel.
Frequently move objects weighing up to 50 pounds across the office for various needs.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.
Minimum 2 years of experience in football operations, athletic administration or a related field.
Preferred Qualifications
Minimum 2 years of experience in Division I football operations, athletic administration or a related field.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Maintain knowledge of and comply with NCAA, Big Ten Conference, and institutional rules that apply to this position.
Championship mindset and expectations; understands and displays professionalism and integrity that builds and maintains trust between student‑athletes and DIA staff.
Prioritizes and contributes to the life‑changing student‑athlete experience.
Adheres to University, DIA, Big Ten, and NCAA rules and regulations.
Displays commitment to the Athletics Department and University mission and values; flexible to varying schedules including nights, weekends, holidays, and team travel.
Maintains professional competency and skills required for professional practice.
Appointment Information This is a 100% full‑time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12‑month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 4/20/2026. Salary range is $55,000 – $75,000, commensurate with experience. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits, including Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
Equal Opportunity Employment The University of Illinois System is an equal‑opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008). Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217‑333‑0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.
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Duties & Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Oversee the daily set up for practice or gameday.
Liaison with coaching staff and administration.
Monitor and analyze overall program budget, including proposed travel budget annually.
Authorized to make P-card and T-card purchases on behalf of the assigned sport.
Manage the team per diem card program for current student-athletes, staff, and official visits; work with Financial Operations to order cards and report lost/stolen cards.
Coordinate with the Business Office for special payment arrangements with vendors.
Ensure all policies are followed to support DIA, campus, and NCAA.
Collaborate with comprehensive team travel logistics with the Assistant Athletic Director, Football Operations regarding travel arrangements for the team/staff and manage needs during home and away competitions related to team communication, itineraries, equipment needs, team meals and per diem cards.
Lead advance travel operations, securing transportation, managing facility access, and serve as voice on‑site for away games.
Assist with Bowl Game/Post‑Season operations, including travel party logistics, per diem distribution, nutrition‑coordinated BEOs, and post‑event analysis.
Cultivate strategic partnerships with host institutions and vendors through proactive site visits and relationship management.
Administer training camp housing assignments to ensure optimal living arrangements for student‑athletes and staff.
External Relations & Communication
Manage branding strategy for Illinois Athletics and the head coach, coordinating and developing a communication plan and schedule for the head coach.
Serve as the primary operational partner to the incoming student‑athlete transition liaison and assist in leading “Welcome Week” transition to Illinois Football for all incoming student athletes; coordinate welcome schedule with Medical, Equipment, Video, Academics, Nutrition and related departments.
Direct parent and family relations, acting as a professional touchpoint between the program and student‑athlete support systems.
Administer student‑athlete support programs, streamlining current athlete off‑campus housing processes and ensuring financial aid compliance.
Compliance & Program Support
Uphold rigorous compliance standards, ensuring all football operations adhere to NCAA, Big Ten Conference, and University of Illinois regulations.
Sync with Compliance, Academics and Administration to unify departmental policies and ensure seamless process alignment.
Assist with Student Athlete Time Management and CARA logs in collaboration with the Assistant AD to guarantee accurate reporting.
Execute operational support for high‑impact initiatives, including community engagement, team‑bonding, and recruiting events.
Analyze and refine organizational strategies and workflows, delivering recommendations to leadership for program enhancement and risk mitigation.
Physical Demands
Moving items up to 50 lbs: Occasionally
Additional Physical Demands
Demonstrated leadership and management skills.
Strong organizational and problem‑solving abilities with proven success coordinating complex logistics.
Effective communication in a fast‑paced environment.
Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends and extensive air travel.
Frequently move objects weighing up to 50 pounds across the office for various needs.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.
Minimum 2 years of experience in football operations, athletic administration or a related field.
Preferred Qualifications
Minimum 2 years of experience in Division I football operations, athletic administration or a related field.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Maintain knowledge of and comply with NCAA, Big Ten Conference, and institutional rules that apply to this position.
Championship mindset and expectations; understands and displays professionalism and integrity that builds and maintains trust between student‑athletes and DIA staff.
Prioritizes and contributes to the life‑changing student‑athlete experience.
Adheres to University, DIA, Big Ten, and NCAA rules and regulations.
Displays commitment to the Athletics Department and University mission and values; flexible to varying schedules including nights, weekends, holidays, and team travel.
Maintains professional competency and skills required for professional practice.
Appointment Information This is a 100% full‑time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12‑month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 4/20/2026. Salary range is $55,000 – $75,000, commensurate with experience. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits, including Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
Equal Opportunity Employment The University of Illinois System is an equal‑opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008). Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217‑333‑0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.
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