Director of Football Operations
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
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.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Oversee the daily set up for practice or gameday.
Liaison with coaching staff and administration.
Monitor and analyze the overall program budget, including the 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 for 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 compliance.
Collaborate with the Assistant Athletic Director to manage comprehensive team travel logistics, including travel arrangements, communication, itineraries, equipment, meals, and per diem cards.
Lead advance travel operations, securing transportation, managing facility access, and serving as on‑site point of contact 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 site visits and relationship management.
Administer training camp housing assignments to ensure optimal living arrangements for student‑athletes and staff.
Manage branding strategy for Illinois Athletics and the head coach, coordinating and developing a communication plan and schedule.
Serve as the primary operational partner to the incoming student‑athlete transition liaison and assist in leading “Welcome Week” for all incoming student‑athletes.
Coordinate welcome schedules with Medical, Equipment, Video, Academics, Nutrition, and related departments.
Maintain professional contacts with parents and families as a touchpoint between the program and student‑athlete support systems.
Administer student‑athlete support programs, streamlining off‑campus housing processes and ensuring financial aid compliance.
Uphold rigorous compliance standards for NCAA, Big Ten Conference, and university regulations.
Sync with Compliance, Academics, and Administration to align departmental policies.
Assist with Student Athlete Time Management and CARA logs in collaboration with the Assistant AD to guarantee accurate reporting.
Provide operational support for high‑impact initiatives such as 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
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 D1 football operations, athletic administration, or a related field
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Maintain knowledge of and compliance with NCAA, Big Ten Conference, and institutional rules relevant to this position.
Demonstrate a championship mindset and expectations; maintain professionalism and integrity that build and sustain trust between student‑athletes and DIA staff.
Prioritize and contribute to a life‑changing student‑athlete experience; comply with university, DIA, Big Ten, and NCAA rules and regulations.
Maintain professional competency and skills required for professional practice.
Benefits 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.
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.
Equal Employment Opportunity The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates.
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Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Oversee the daily set up for practice or gameday.
Liaison with coaching staff and administration.
Monitor and analyze the overall program budget, including the 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 for 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 compliance.
Collaborate with the Assistant Athletic Director to manage comprehensive team travel logistics, including travel arrangements, communication, itineraries, equipment, meals, and per diem cards.
Lead advance travel operations, securing transportation, managing facility access, and serving as on‑site point of contact 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 site visits and relationship management.
Administer training camp housing assignments to ensure optimal living arrangements for student‑athletes and staff.
Manage branding strategy for Illinois Athletics and the head coach, coordinating and developing a communication plan and schedule.
Serve as the primary operational partner to the incoming student‑athlete transition liaison and assist in leading “Welcome Week” for all incoming student‑athletes.
Coordinate welcome schedules with Medical, Equipment, Video, Academics, Nutrition, and related departments.
Maintain professional contacts with parents and families as a touchpoint between the program and student‑athlete support systems.
Administer student‑athlete support programs, streamlining off‑campus housing processes and ensuring financial aid compliance.
Uphold rigorous compliance standards for NCAA, Big Ten Conference, and university regulations.
Sync with Compliance, Academics, and Administration to align departmental policies.
Assist with Student Athlete Time Management and CARA logs in collaboration with the Assistant AD to guarantee accurate reporting.
Provide operational support for high‑impact initiatives such as 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
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 D1 football operations, athletic administration, or a related field
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Maintain knowledge of and compliance with NCAA, Big Ten Conference, and institutional rules relevant to this position.
Demonstrate a championship mindset and expectations; maintain professionalism and integrity that build and sustain trust between student‑athletes and DIA staff.
Prioritize and contribute to a life‑changing student‑athlete experience; comply with university, DIA, Big Ten, and NCAA rules and regulations.
Maintain professional competency and skills required for professional practice.
Benefits 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.
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.
Equal Employment Opportunity The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates.
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