Champions Blue CEO & Athletic Director

Job Title
Champions Blue CEO & Athletic Director

Requisition Number
RE54512

Working Title
Chief Executive Officer of Champions Blue, LLC and UK Athletic Director

Department Name
12D00:UKAA - Administrative Support

Work Location
Lexington, KY

Grade Level
00

Salary Range

Type of Position
Staff

Position Time Status
Full-Time

Required Education

BA

Click here for more information about equivalencies:
https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies

Required Related Experience

10 yrs

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

To be able to lift, push, pull objects up to 10 lbs.

Shift

Days and some evenings and weekends as required for special events.

Job Summary

The University of Kentucky seeks a visionary and strategically focused athletics and business leader to serve as Chief Executive Officer of Champions Blue, LLC and Athletics Director (CEO and AD). This individual will lead one of the nation’s premier intercollegiate athletics enterprises focused on winning championships during a transformative period in collegiate athletics—an era defined by athlete compensation, Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), revenue sharing, commercialization, innovation and heightened national visibility.

Reporting directly to the President of the University and working collaboratively and in alignment with other members of the President’s Cabinet and university leadership, the CEO and AD will provide executive leadership for a nationally competitive athletics enterprise grounded in integrity, student-athlete success, innovation, talent management, financial stewardship, institutional collaboration and service to the Commonwealth of Kentucky as defined by our mission to advance Kentucky.

QUALIFICATION AND CHARACTERISTICS

The ideal candidate will possess demonstrated executive leadership experience and significant strategic and operational expertise within intercollegiate athletics, professional sports, higher education, business and/or similarly complex organizations. The successful candidate will demonstrate a deep understanding of the contemporary athletics landscape, including governance, federal and state legislation and policies, athlete compensation, NIL, revenue generation, compliance, commercialization, student-athlete support, external relations and organizational leadership.

The successful candidate will possess the leadership, financial and commercial acumen and collaborative mindset necessary to build trust with student-athletes, coaches, staff, partners, donors, alumni, fans, faculty, media and university leadership while guiding the University of Kentucky into the next era of collegiate athletics.

The CEO and AD will be a leader who has demonstrated the ability to analyze the costs and consequences of strategic alternatives, effectively communicate in a complex media and conference environment and has the determination to ensure that the University of Kentucky remains the aspirational standard in college athletics for the next decade and beyond.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS


· Bachelor’s degree required (sports administration, business, education, law, or related field)

· Ten or more years of progressive leadership in athletics administration (college, university, and/or professional sports)

· Demonstrated track record managing large, complex budgets

· Proven experience managing athletics operations, including but not limited to facilities, student/player compensation, talent management, and revenue generation


PROCESS OF CANDIDACY


Application review will begin immediately and will continue on an ongoing basis. For best consideration, please submit materials as soon as possible. The requested application materials include a resume.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
Yes

Preferred Education/Experience

Deadline to Apply
06/04/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status or whether the person is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with University regulation concerning smoking.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.