Senior Associate Athletic Director / CFO

The Role & The Opportunity

UNC Charlotte, a thriving urban research university and a new member of the American Athletic Conference, invites applications for the position of Senior Associate Athletic Director & Chief Financial Officer. This is a premier leadership opportunity for an experienced financial executive to direct the fiscal strategy and business operations for a 19-sport NCAA Division I athletic department.

As a key member of the senior leadership team, the successful candidate will provide strategic counsel, oversee all financial reporting and audits, manage major facilities funding models, and ensure the highest level of fiscal integrity to support the department’s continued growth and competitive success.

Core Responsibilities & Scope

This role has direct strategic and operational oversight for the financial health and business functions that empower 49ers Athletics.

• Prepare and manage the annual budgets for the athletic department in collaboration with department heads and coaches.
• Act as Controller for the department, ensuring compliance with University policies, procedures, and GASB accounting standards.
• Support business operations of Charlotte 49ers Ventures, the department’s in-house agency.
• Develop funding models for all major athletics facilities projects and forecast revenue and expenditures to ensure positive year-end outcomes.
• Manage the internal Athletics Business Office, providing administrative budget approval and regular reports to department leadership.
• Oversight of Revenue Share with campus partners.

Department Leadership

You will serve as a key member of a dynamic leadership team focused on elevating the national profile of the Charlotte 49ers.

Mike Hill, Director of Athletics

Since becoming the seventh director of athletics in 2018, Mike Hill has established a “Gold Standard” of excellence. His major accomplishments include:

• Overseeing the department’s successful transition to the American Athletic Conference.
• Leading the program to a record 27 league titles, including a league-leading 8 American championships over the past 2 years.
• Launching EverGreen, the comprehensive athletics facilities master vision.
• Leading the football program to its first-ever bowl game.
• Raising record funds including the single largest gift in program history — $25M — and increasing the operating budget from $29M to $49M.
• Adding Women’s Lacrosse as the 19th varsity sport.

“We’re not in it to be ordinary. We’re in it to be extraordinary. Gold is the standard.”

View Official Bio

A Proven Launchpad for Your Career

This role provides a significant leadership platform. The previous CFO, Brett Herring, recently leveraged his successful tenure at Charlotte to accept a new role at a Power Four institution, demonstrating the national visibility and career growth potential inherent to this position.

Brett Herring: Career Timeline

The Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a proven financial leader with extensive experience in a dynamic business environment and a commitment to fiscal excellence.

• Experience: Previous experience in managing a complex business operation is required. Experience working in college athletics or in higher education is highly preferred.
• Financial Acumen: Demonstrated expertise in budget preparation, financial monitoring, and revenue/expenditure forecasting.
• Leadership: A track record of success in a senior administrative role with the ability to lead teams and streamline workflows.
• Collaboration: The ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituents, including university leadership, coaches, and staff.
• Education: An undergraduate degree in administration, business, or accounting is required. A Master’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field is preferred.

Why Work at UNC Charlotte?

This role is central to the success of a university and athletic department on a clear upward trajectory in one of America’s most dynamic cities.

University & Community Excellence

• Ranked as nation’s #74 public university and designated by the Carnegie Institute as a Research 1 university.
• A diverse and innovative institution serving a record 32,100 students.
• Located in Charlotte, one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities and a major financial hub, offering world-class amenities and career opportunities.

Athletic Distinction

• A new and ambitious member of the American Athletic Conference.
• First-class facilities, including Jerry Richardson Stadium and Dale F. Halton Arena.
• A passionate and growing “Niner Nation” fanbase with deep community support.

Campus & Athletics Facilities

Athletics Facility Master Vision: EverGreen

The Charlotte 49ers partnered with HOK and Jenkins-Peer to develop an Athletics Facilities Master Vision, EverGreen, a 12-15 year roadmap for Charlotte 49ers athletics and to prioritize and sequence the projects along with our fundraising approach. Projects are already underway or completed – including the stadium expansion, improvements to the football locker room and the addition of a softball locker room and clubhouse facility.

Life in Charlotte

As one of the fastest-growing major cities in the U.S., Charlotte offers a vibrant lifestyle with a cost of living below the average for large metro areas. The “Queen City” is a hub for banking, technology, and motorsports, featuring world-class dining, arts, and professional sports, all while providing easy access to both mountains and beaches.