Parker Executive Search Seeking New Athletic Director for Northeastern University
November 10, 2017 – Athletic directors are playing an increasingly vital role at colleges and universities across the country. With the expansion of athletic departments and, for the larger schools, the infusion of big dollars for sports, more schools have turned to search firms when such positions become open. Too much is at stake, they feel, to go it alone. What’s more, the AD job has come to demand greater business and management skills than the typical academic search.
Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search has recently been selected by Northeastern University in Boston to find its next athletic director. Peter Roby will retire in June, concluding more than 15 years with the university. Daniel Parker, vice president and managing director, is leading the search along with associate Hayden Garrett.
The athletics director is responsible for providing vision, leadership and oversight for Northeastern’s Division I intercollegiate athletics program. The AD works collaboratively with all Northeastern entities in leading the intercollegiate athletics program, in support of the university’s global mission and in compliance with NCAA, CAA, Hockey East, EARC and university guidelines and rules.
The school seeks someone with a minimum of 10 years of progressive experience leading a successful, multifaceted enterprise, preferably in intercollegiate athletics or related field, said Parker Executive Search. A record of achievement in NCAA Division I athletics administration is recommended but not required. The highest level of personal integrity and ethical standards, including a commitment to and compliance with NCAA and conference rules is required.
Parker Executive Search conducts executive searches for corporations, colleges and universities, and collegiate athletics. Its sports practice represents clients conducting searches to fill positions such as president, CEO, EVP, SVP, general manager, executive director, conference commissioner, athletic director, head coach and assistant coach, among others.
The firm’s sports practice has a wide range of client schools, including Notre Dame, Dartmouth, the University of Chicago, Iowa State, Fordham and the University of Central Florida. In September, Parker placed Eddie Nuñez as the director of athletics at the University of New Mexico. The firm also recruited David Benedict as athletic director for the University of Connecticut, Mark Jackson as director of athletics at Villanova University and Jennifer Cohen as AD of the University of Washington.
AD Searches
Athletic director searches are some of the most prolific assignments for recruitment firms in the sports sector. Here are some recent AD assignments from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:
Korn Ferry placed director of athletics at the University of Virginia
Carla Williams became the first female African-American AD at a Power Five conference school and is the fifth active female AD at that level. For the past 13 years, Ms. Williams has been an athletics administrator at the University of Georgia.
Sports and entertainment recruitment firm Turnkey Search placed Bill Moos as athletic director at the University of Nebraska
The chancellor said Mr. Moos rose to the top of a group of candidates that included several sitting athletic directors from Power 5 conference schools.
Collegiate Sports Associates retained by University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) to lead search for a new athletic director
UTSA president Taylor Eighmy said that the group’s goal should be “to identify an exceptional leader who is committed to the university’s advancement to excellence in academics, research, engagement and athletics.”
Turnkey Search recruited John Currie as director of athletics and vice chancellor at the University of Tennessee
He replaced Dave Hart, who announced his retirement last year after six years with the school.Turnkey Search also recently placed Todd Stansbury as athletic director for Georgia Tech.
DHR International placed Heather Lyke as athletic director at the University of Pittsburgh
Glenn Sugiyama, DHR’s managing partner and global sports practice leader, led the assignment along with partner Pat Richter. DHR also recruited an insider, Jeffrey Schulman, as athletic director at the University of Vermont (UVM).
Eastman & Beaudine placed Jon Gilbert as the new athletic director of the University of Southern Mississippi
Eastman & Beaudine has conducted numerous assignments to find head football or basketball coaches for a number of universities.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Will Schatz, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
