Senior Associate Athletic Director for Finance & Business Operations

The Role & The Opportunity

Tarleton State University, a founding member of The Texas A&M University System and a rising power in NCAA Division I, invites applications for the position of Senior Associate Athletic Director for Finance and Business Operations. This is a critical leadership role for a seasoned financial professional to guide the fiscal strategy of an athletic department experiencing unprecedented growth and national exposure.

Reporting directly to the Vice President & Director of Athletics, this position serves as the department’s chief financial leader. The successful candidate will provide strategic oversight of financial planning, comprehensive budgeting, and overall business operations to ensure long-term sustainability, strict compliance, and maximum efficiency in support of the Texans’ championship pursuits.

Core Responsibilities & Scope

This role has direct strategic and operational oversight for the financial health and business functions that underpin Tarleton State Athletics.

• Provide strategic financial leadership and advise the AD on resource allocation, revenue optimization, expense management, and financial risk.
• Lead the development and administration of the athletics operating budget, including forecasting, salary projections, and coordination with the University Budget Office.
• Oversee all financial reporting, reconciliations, and compliance in accordance with NCAA, EADA, University, and Texas A&M University System requirements.
• Monitor financial activity across multiple funding sources and deliver financial analysis, dashboards, and decision-support tools to leadership.
• Provide oversight of daily business operations, including procurement, payroll coordination, personnel funding, and HR-related financial processes.

Department Leadership

You will serve as a key member of the executive team under the leadership of a dynamic athletic director focused on elevating Tarleton State Athletics to new heights.

Steve Uryasz, Vice President & Director of Athletics

Steve Uryasz brings decades of high-level Division I executive experience to Tarleton State University. With a proven track record of elevating athletic departments, enhancing the student-athlete experience, driving revenue growth, and leading major facility expansions, Uryasz is guiding the Texans into their next era of competitive excellence in the NCAA Division I landscape.

View Official Bio

The Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a proven financial administrator with significant experience navigating the complexities of higher education and Division I athletics.

• Experience: Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in athletics business operations, higher education finance, governmental fund accounting, or related financial functions.
• Financial Acumen: Proven ability to develop and manage complex budgets, implement cost-saving or revenue-enhancement strategies, and strong knowledge of NCAA-related financial policies and EADA reporting.
• Leadership & Communication: Excellent analytical and leadership skills, with the ability to translate complex financial data for diverse audiences, including coaches, staff, and university leadership.

Why Work at Tarleton State?

This role offers the chance to be a key architect of success at an institution experiencing a historic era of institutional and athletic expansion.

Institutional Growth & Excellence

• A proud, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, offering exceptional stability and institutional resources.
• Texas’ fastest-growing university: Enrollment has increased by 48.6% since 2022, now surpassing 21,000 students representing 222 Texas counties, 48 states, and 38 countries.
• Named to Money’s annual “Best Colleges in America” list for four consecutive years.
• Over 125 years of commitment to accessible, high-quality education and deep-rooted Texas traditions.

Athletic Distinction & Investment

• Successfully transitioned to NCAA Division I, competing in the United Athletic Conference (Football) and WAC.
• Immediate Success: In just two years as a full-fledged D1 program, Tarleton has won an individual national championship, 8 conference championships (Women’s Golf twice, Football, Baseball, Women’s Tennis, Women’s Indoor Track and Field, Men’s Outdoor Track and Field, and Men’s Golf), and secured high-profile wins (e.g., Baseball at #2 Texas, Football at Army).
• Unmatched Facilities: Nearly every sport has received a brand-new or renovated playing venue since 2019, most notably the new $130 million EECU Center, home to Texan Basketball, and a $26 million expansion to Memorial Stadium.

Life in Stephenville, Texas

Located just over an hour southwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Stephenville offers the perfect mix of rural Texas charm and access to urban conveniences. Affectionately known as the “Cowboy Capital of the World,” the city of roughly 21,000 residents is famous for its world-class equestrian culture, agriculture, and strong community spirit. With a low cost of living, highly rated schools, and the energetic presence of Tarleton State University at its center, Stephenville is routinely recognized as one of the best small towns to live in America.