Associate VP Athletics Retail Ops

The USF Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is an integral part of USF and its mission by sponsoring a diverse and nationally competitive Division I athletic program. The program serves several significant constituencies, including its student-athletes, who are students first. The most important priority of the program is the progress of the student-athletes toward graduation. Other priorities include the health, fitness and emotional development of student-athletes at USF.

The USF Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is an integral part of USF and its mission by sponsoring a diverse and nationally competitive Division I athletic program. The program serves several significant constituencies, including its student-athletes, who are students first. The most important priority of the program is the progress of the student-athletes toward graduation. Other priorities include the health, fitness and emotional development of student-athletes at USF.

Intercollegiate Athletics provide a sense of collegiality, allegiance, and pride for students, staff, faculty, alumni, boosters and the greater Tampa Bay community at large and serves as a focal point for their support. Within the framework of competitive excellence, Intercollegiate Athletics at USF are also a contact vehicle leading supporters to a greater awareness of the University's mission, academic programs and prominence as an educational institution.

• Develop and execute the overall retail and merchandise strategy for USF Athletics, aligning revenue growth, fan engagement, and long-term business objectives.

• Provide strategic oversight of all retail locations, game-day operations, venue stores, special events, and e-commerce platforms to ensure operational excellence.

• Manage retail profitability, budgeting, forecasting, pricing strategies, and performance metrics to achieve revenue and growth targets.

• Establish merchandise strategies, product assortments, licensing initiatives, and exclusive retail offerings that strengthen the USF Athletics brand.

• Enhance customer experience by integrating physical retail, digital commerce, marketing, and technology to maximize sales and fan engagement.

• Build and maintain relationships with vendors, manufacturers, licensing partners, sponsors, and external stakeholders to expand retail opportunities and brand reach.

• Recruit, mentor, and manage retail staff while fostering a culture of customer service, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Perform other related duties, initiatives, and special projects as assigned to support the strategic, operational, financial, and organizational objectives of the USF Athletics retail enterprise.

• Bachelor's degree in business, retail management, marketing, sports management, hospitality, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in retail, e-commerce, sports, entertainment, collegiate athletics, consumer products, or a related industry.
• Experience with revenue generation, financial management, inventory, merchandising, staffing, and vendor management.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic business plans.
• Experience with POS, inventory management, e-commerce, CRM, and retail analytics platforms.
• Strong analytical, financial, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as required by the athletics calendar.
• Senior-level experience in collegiate, professional sports, entertainment, or major venue retail.
• Experience managing retail operations across multiple venues.
• Experience with collegiate licensing and merchandise.
• Experience developing exclusive merchandise and strategic retail partnerships.

• SB 1310:
  Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of…