Manager of Athletic Equipment and Transportation

Overview

The Manager of Athletic Equipment & Transportation oversees all aspects of athletic equipment management, transportation logistics, and assists with game day operations. This position ensures teams have the necessary gear, safe and efficient travel arrangements, and operational support. Additionally, this role assists in managing the Shirk Center, assists with the coordination of key distribution and collection for staff, and oversees officials' and umpires' accommodation during home contests.

The position also leads the Sports Director of Operations program, providing guidance to students and interns handling game day and overall team logistics. Collaborating closely with coaches, administrators and vendors, this role upholds high standards of organization, compliance, and service. Strong leadership, budgeting, and communication skills are essential for success. This is an on-campus position; full time, 12 mos/yr position.

Generous benefits include health, retirement, considerable time off, and access to multiple tuition programs for employees and dependents.

• Athletic Equipment Management: develop uniformity in inventory controls with coaches for soft and hard goods; ensure proper cleaning, repair and storage of uniforms and gear; oversee checkout and procedures to maintain accountability with coaches; collaborate to assess equipment needs and coordinate purchases by keeping up with trends in player equipment, especially in regards to safety; maintain compliance with safety regulations and NCAA guidelines regarding equipment;
  
  train and supervise student workers on laundry and equipment room services.
• Transportation Logistics:
  Coordinate travel arrangements for athletic teams, including bus, courtesy cars, shuttles, transit scheduling and work with vendors to negotiate contracts for rental vehicles; develop contingency plans for travel disruptions, such as weather related delays or replacing a driver due to emergency situations; ensure compliance with institutional and government travel regulations; coordinate all scheduled maintenance, repairs and cleaning of buses and courtesy cars;
  
  track mileage of vehicles and provide budget impact, analysis and reporting for each team’s use.
• Shirk Center Facility Management: partner with the Sr. Associate Athletic Director for Internal & External Operations to oversee daily operations of Shirk Center; coordinate on scheduling priorities for usage of Shirk spaces; address facility issues properly and work with maintenance crews to address needs; implement policies for maintenance facility access, assign locker rooms for visiting teams and risk management to ensure safe environment;
  
  assist in set up/tear down of events.
• Collaboration:
  
  collaborate with Coaches, Administration and external partners; communicate regularly to align department goals and budgets; foster and maintain relationships with vendors; adhere to NCAA, conference and institutional regulations; collaborate with faculty supervisors for sports management internships; co-supervise the Assistant Football Coach that has football equipment responsibilities.
• Administrative responsibilities: train and mentor students on game day logistics, equipment handling and event coordination; develop opportunities for students to gain hands on experience in athletic operations; evaluate student performance and provide feedback; assist with the distribution and collection of keys for athletic department staff and maintain tracking systems for security and accountability; assist with managing game day staff; develop and manage budgets related to equipment, transportation, Shirk Center, assigned game day operations responsibilities;
  
  monitor expenses and allocate funds effectively to meet equipment room needs.

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s preferred.
• Minimum of three years related experience; preference for certification from the Athletic Equipment Room Manager Association or willingness to get upon hire.
• Knowledge of a variety of sports equipment and travel needs, budgeting, scheduling, contract agreements and understanding of athletic department operations.

Salary: $48,000-$52,000, based on experience.

The final candidate will pass a pre-employment background investigation.

Illinois Wesleyan University is an EEO Employer. Illinois Wesleyan University’s sexual misconduct policy may be accessed .edu/human-resources/Sexual Misconduct Policy .html. Illinois Wesleyan University is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to promoting excellence through a variety of viewpoints. Illinois Wesleyan University does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment for this position. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.