Employment Opportunities

Assistant/Associate Commissioner for Compliance - closed 

(view the .pdf)

The Big West is seeking an experienced and knowledgeable leader to serve as the primary compliance administrator for the conference.  In this role, the successful candidate will serve as the liaison between member institutions andthe NCAA on all compliance and legislative issues, educate and advise member institutions regarding rules interpretations and investigations, and manage all legislative proposals and revisions to Big West Manuals.  This individual will also be responsible for organizing and documenting institutional compliance with multiple aspects of NCAA legislation, including but not limited to violations, waivers, and SAF/SAOF, and serve as the primary contact for the conference’s compliance administrators and Faculty Athletics Representative groups and assist the commissioner and membership with NCAA governance legislation.

The successful candidate will be an engaging, positive and solution-oriented team player with excellent written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated success managing compliance-related issues, adhering to deadlines, assisting others to navigate complex situations and proactively communicating with and responding in a timely fashion to key constituent groups, member institutions, and other conference office staff.  The preferred candidate will have at least seven (7) years of experience working in compliance at the NCAA, a conference office or NCAA member institution.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Leadership

  • Serve as the Conference’s primary compliance and governance administrator.
  • Primary contactfor institutional compliance administrators.
  • Liaison to the Big West Faculty Athletics Representatives.
  • Serve as sport administrator for assigned sports.

Compliance

  • Provide interpretations of conference and NCAA rules to member institutions and compile and maintain database of any interpretations provided to membership.
  • Organize and collect membership votes on various NCAA proposals and legislation, then meet with NCAA Council representative to discuss and determine conference positions.
  • Provide analysis of recently adopted legislation to member institutions.
  • Track Big West action items and update manuals accordingly.
  • Use various methods, including calls and newsletters, to keep institutions updated on “timely” issues (e.g. hot topics, common questions, legislative changes).
  • Assist institutions in assessing and/or investigating potential Big West or NCAA violations.
  • Track rules violations reported by member institutions.
  • Provide updates on Committee on Infractions cases.
  • Evaluate all waivers submitted to the conference office, including medical hardship waivers, medical absence waivers, previously approved waivers,intraconference transfer waivers, and temporary coach replacement requests.
  • Review permissibility of all requested uses of SAF/SAOF funds.

Big West Operations/General

  • Ensure Conference operations in areas of responsibility comply with NCAA and Big West policies.
  • Ensure student-athlete experience and well-being is a priority in all Big West initiatives.
  • Develop professional and collaborative relationships with Big West member institutions.
  • Collaborate with other staff members to develop and organize materials and draft minutes for FAR, AD, Council, and Board of Directors meetings.
  • Ensure calendaring and meeting deadlines.
  • Serve as a sport administrator for multiple sports as assigned.
  • Work collaboratively with other Conference Office staff members, maintain a helpful and positive demeanor, and be responsible to fellow staff and member institutions.
  • Represent The Big West and/or the Commissioner at internal and external meetings.
  • Assist in developing materials for Student AthleteAdvisory Committee calls and meetings.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

  1. Bachelor's degree required; Advanced degree preferred.
  2. Minimum of seven (7) years professional work experience in NCAA compliance or a related field.
  3. Previous experience in Division I college athletics preferred.
  4. Leadership experience required.
  5. Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  6. Ability to demonstrate a calm, courteous and professional demeanor under pressure when working with a variety of situations and/or people (e.g., campus personnel, conference staff, coaches, student-athletes).
  7. Proven ability to take initiative and make sound decisions with minimal direction.
  8. Ability to meet deadlines and to handle multiple tasks and assignments simultaneously.
  9. High attention to detail and organizational skills.
  10. Ability to effectively communicate and work with senior leadership and coaches.
  11. Ability to build teams, foster teamwork, and collaborate (with both internal and external constituents) to problem-solve and advance strategic priorities.
  12. Ability to facilitate and lead meetings.
  13. A commitment to honesty, integrity, and ethical conduct.

 

WORK LOCATION

The office is based in Orange County, CA.  The Big West staff has a flexible 2 days in the office/3 days work from home schedule.

 

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary commensurate with experience.  Competitive benefits.

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

 

To apply, send a cover letter, comprehensive resume, and three references no later than Friday, May 31, 2024, to:

Kristi Giddings
Deputy Commissioner
The Big West
kgiddings@BigWest.org

 

ABOUT THE BIG WEST

Based in Irvine, California, rated as one of the best places to live and work in the United States, The Big West is an NCAA Division I conference with 11 member institutions with the shared goal of empowering every student-athlete in competition and in life and uniting its university communities through championship experiences.  Formed in 1969, The Big West membership consists of Cal Poly, CSU Bakersfield, Cal State Fullerton, CSUN, Hawai’i, Long Beach State, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Barbara.

The Big West is united in the pursuit of boundless opportunities, enduring integrity, bold activism, fearless innovation and the Pacific spirit of freedom, exploration and progress.

Starting in 2024-25, The Big West will sponsor 21 sports at the NCAA Division I level: baseball, softball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s volleyball, women’s beach volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track and field, men’s and women’s water polo, and men’s and women’s swimming and diving.

For more information, visit BigWest.org or follow The Big West on X @BigWestSports.

 

The Big West is an equal opportunity employer.

 

  • The Big West’s Unpaid Internship Program provides the opportunity to receive hands-on sport administration education and training in a NCAA Division I collegiate athletic conference office. The Big West interns are needed for the 2023-24 competition season (September through May), and the summer months (June through August) at The Big West Office in Southern California, working in an internship core area.

    In addition to the core internship area identified, interns will be exposed to and involved in the ongoing development of Big West initiatives and will be provided with hands-on training, experience and learning opportunities, while developing lasting relationships in collegiate athletics. The goal for each intern is to receive beneficial learning, relevant education and training that will help prepare them for careers in collegiate athletics and be future leaders in the industry.

    Internship Core Areas

    • Strategic Communications
    • Social & Digital Media Video Editor

     

    Requirements

    Must have received or in the process towards a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and the ability to take an internship in exchange for college credit. Desired qualifications are based on each internship core emphasis. Please see area specific internship descriptions for more information.

    Instructions to Apply

    For full consideration of the 2023-24 competition year internship program, please send your internship core area preference, cover letter, resume and three references to the Big West Director of Marketing and Digital Media Sara Perry (sperry@bigwest.org).

    2023-24 Competition Year                                       
    Internship Start Date: September 2023                                  
    Internship End Date: June 30, 2024                                 

    Many Big West interns have found successful careers after their internship experience.

  •  Job Posting (.pdf) >>>

    The Big West is seeking a Strategic Communications Intern to assist with implementation of the 2023-24 communications strategy. 

    The Big West Strategic Communications internship is an unpaid internship, designed to provide the opportunity to receive communication and administrative experience and training in a NCAA Division I collegiate athletic conference office. This position will be exposed to and involved in the ongoing development of The Big West initiatives and will be provided valuable professional experiences and learning opportunities supervised by a Conference administrator. The qualified candidate will receive practical hands-on experience in all aspects of a media relations department, refine the skill sets necessary to tell stories of The Big West and provide the opportunity to develop lasting relationships in collegiate athletics.

    ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

    • Assist in coverage of select Big West sports
    • Assist in the development of weekly press releases and communication to media outlets
    • Aid in management of the official website at bigwest.org
    • Assist in the management of The Big West record books and archives
    • Assist in media relations aspects of select The Big West championships
    • Assist in special projects as assigned

     

    DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

    • Must have received or in the process towards a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field
    • A portfolio of writing samples displaying a knowledge of AP Style how to shape messaging for a sports audience
    • Working knowledge of the Sidearm web platform, NCAA Manager, Adobe Creative Suite
    • Knowledge of current Big West conference members and NCAA Division I sports
    • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and to manage multiple priorities and strict deadlines
    • Strong interest in pursuing a career in sports communication and/or related sports industry field

     

    APPLICATIONS OF INTEREST 

    Please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to Sara Perry (sperry@bigwest.org) to ensure priority consideration. The internship may remain open until filled.

  •  Job Posting (.pdf) >>>

    The Big West is seeking a Social & Digital Media Video Editor Intern to assist in the 2023-24 campaigns and championships. The Big West Social & Digital Media Video Editor internship is an unpaid internship, designed to provide the opportunity to receive marketing and administrative experience and training in a NCAA Division I collegiate athletic conference office. This position will be exposed to and involved in the ongoing development of The Big West initiatives and will be provided with hands-on experience, training and learning opportunities supervised by a Conference administrator. The qualified candidate will gain hands-on experience developing and executing digital and event-based social media efforts and traditional marketing. 

    ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

    • Work with the Director of Marketing and Digital Media to create original video and graphics, maintain templates, and uphold brand standards
    • Edit and create compelling and engaging video content, including highlights, recaps, award graphics and other content for use across Big West digital and social media platforms
    • Assist with execution of Big West championships as needed.
    • Coordinate monthly meetings with social media external teams at the member institutions.
    • Design video content for multiple platforms, including versioning content for square, vertical and other needs across multiple lengths to adhere to best practices by platform.
    • Use data-driven insights to prioritize content creation for audience growth.
    • Assist in special projects as assigned

     

    DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

    • Must have a bachelor’s degree or be in the process of pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field
    • A portfolio of design and/or presentation of proof of performance/experience.
    • Demonstrated experience with the Adobe Creative Suite, the Sidearm web platform, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and the HootSuite platform.
    • Knowledge of current Big West conference members and NCAA Division I sports
    • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and to manage multiple priorities and strict deadlines
    • Strong interest in pursuing a career in sports marketing and/or related sports industry field

     

    APPLICATIONS OF INTEREST:

    Please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to Sara Perry (sperry@bigwest.org) to ensure priority consideration. The internship may remain open until filled.