Assistant Commissioner - Controller

Summary

Reporting to the CFO, the Controller will serve the Conference and its member institutions to manage the Conference’s day-to-day accounting and financial transactions, HR, office administration and other duties as assigned.

Overall Impact of this position is to closely monitor the Conferences’ financial health, maintain, manage, and analyze financial statements, payroll, budgets, tax compliance issues, HR and office administration to ensure compliance with NCAA and MW policy, safeguard a positive Student-Athlete experience and well-being, and maintain focus on initiatives designed to elevate MW to the highest possible levels of performance and exposure.

Utilizing this member-centered approach is consistent with the MW’s mission to cultivate opportunities for student-athletes to compete at the highest level while fostering academic achievement and sportsmanship.

Responsibilities

Accounting and Finance

·       Manage financial transactions, including payroll and taxes, credit card reconciliation, employee expense reports, and month-end closing.

·       Monthly budget reporting to all departments and for championships/events, when applicable.

·       Maintain depreciation and fixed assets schedules.

·       Manage all accounting procedures including accounts receivable, and accounts payable, creating, processing, receiving, and verifying invoices and payments.

·       Manage the Conference officiating programs, contracts, assignment review, and support for officiating software and finance & payments.

·       Manage vendor relationships and contracts.

Human Resources

·       Management of all conference insurance and employee benefits including health insurance.

·       Collaborate with CFO to maintain employee handbook.

Office Administration

·       Point person on office lease, office relocation and getting the new office space to functional operating status.

·       Work collaboratively with the Director, Sports Admin and Championships Operations to assist in office administration.

·       Daily in office management of facilities, equipment, storage and information technology (IT).

·       Manage local in office meetings operations, events, and celebrations including tech, prep, room setup, catering, etc.

·       Coordinate facilities, office supplies, office equipment, inventory and storage.

·       Manage information technology and equipment.

·       Local onsite contact for weekly IT in-person visits. 

·       Assist Championships with shipping and receiving when necessary. 

·       Oversight of inventory management.

·       Serve as MW liaison with building management company.

Compliance

·       Ensure Conference operations in area of responsibility comply with NCAA and MW policy. 

·       Ensure all fiscal activities are conducted in compliance with federal, state, and NCAA laws and regulations.

·       Management and distribution of receivables from the NCAA, including but not limited to the Student-Athlete Special Assistance/Opportunity Fund.

Student-Athlete

·       Ensure Student-Athlete Experience and Well-Being is a priority in all Conference initiatives.

Knowledge and Skills

Strong working knowledge in the following skills:

Financial Management:

·       Financial modeling and forecasting

·       Budget development and management

·       Financial reporting and analysis

·       Tax planning and compliance

·       Audit coordination and compliance review

Operations Oversight:

·       Process improvement

·       Internal control implementation

·       Legal compliance

·       Contract review and management

Administrative Management:

·       IT hardware and software management

·       HR administration and benefits coordination

·       Policy development and implementation

·       Compliance monitoring and reporting

Information Technology Management:

·       Hardware maintenance

·       Software installation and configuration

·       License management

Human Resources Management:

·       Recruitment and onboarding

·       Benefits coordination

·       Performance management

Compliance Management:

·       Policy development

·       Compliance monitoring

·       Regulatory reporting

Contract and Vendor Management:

·       Contract negotiation and management

·       Vendor relationship management

·       Payment tracking and reporting

Facilities and Emergency Preparedness:

·       Ability to serve as a fire warden, attend meetings related to tenant safety, and handle emergency situations effectively.

Meeting and Event Coordination:

·       Proficiency in the preparation and facilitation of in-person meetings

·       Ability to assist in organizing social events and handle tasks such as purchasing gifts and ordering flowers for special occasions.

Organization and Record-keeping:

·       Ability to maintain organized files and records efficiently.

General Management

·       Strong working knowledge of Division I intercollegiate athletics, the MW and its institutions’ programs and/or higher education.

·       Strong working knowledge of MW strategic plan and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership, operation, and coordination of people and resources.

·       Acts with member institutions in mind and is dedicated to promoting the academic missions of our member institutions.

·       Effective analytical, decision-making, organizational, and project management of tactical and strategic initiatives.

·       Constructs and manages budget with signature authority and accountability of single budget.

·       Strong working knowledge and skills in the following functions/competencies:

·       Operations management

·       Developing standards or methods

·       Process improvement

·       Financial acumen

·       Meets deadlines and handles multiple projects.

·       Leads and facilitates group meetings.

·       Builds trusting relationships with all departments and stakeholders (internal and external).

·       Organizes teams to problem solve and execute agreed upon resolution.

·       Understands and demonstrates MW’s core values of competitive excellence, academic achievement, integrity, relentless drive, community and inclusion.

·       Able to exercise sound judgment to handle sensitive and confidential information/material with discretion.

·       Communicates professionally, both oral and written.

·       Recognizes and escalates complex problems and issues with proposed solutions.

·       Recognizes and communicates new opportunities.

·       Demonstrated high-level proficiency in Microsoft programs i.e., Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Suite programs, and Sage Intacct.

Staff Management Potential 

·       May manage and supervise direct reports and independent contractors.

·       May participate in selecting and evaluating staff ensuring efficient operation of the function.

·       May mentor direct reports.

·       May participate in setting expectations and providing feedback.

·       Provides technical leadership to direct reports.

·       May provide direction to individual contributors and independent contractors.

·       Communicates effectively, upwards and downwards within the organizational structure.

Desired Qualifications

·       10 -12 years of experience in a related field. 

·       Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s or advanced/professional degree(s) preferred.

·       Previous direct experience at a college, university, conference, or professional sports franchise involving football administration and/or operations.

·       Demonstrated proficiency in accounting software, especially Sage Intacct.

·       Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of constituents, including student-athletes, coaches, university and athletic staff and administrators, and various Conference partners.

·       Ability to travel and work non-traditional hours (weekends, weekdays, nights, and holidays).

Travel Requirements

10 – 25% of travel.

Location and Travel Requirements

Position is in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Expect 10 – 20% of travel.

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

The Mountain West is proud to be an equal opportunities employer, and we are committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristics required by applicable law.

Compensation:

Full-time appointment with an annual salary between $80,000-$110,000 contingent upon experience and expertise; Highly competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with an employer-paid retirement program.

About the Mountain West

From its inception in 1999, the Mountain West has been committed to excellence in intercollegiate athletics while promoting the academic missions of its member institutions. Progressive in its approach, the Mountain West continues cultivating opportunities for student-athletes to compete at the highest level while fostering academic achievement and sportsmanship. Now in its 24th season, the MW has been assertive in its involvement with the NCAA governance structure and has taken a leadership role in the overall administration of intercollegiate athletics.

The Mountain West membership is comprised of 11 all-sport members: the United States Air Force Academy, Boise State University, Colorado State University, Fresno State, University of Nevada, University of New Mexico, San Diego State University, San José State University, UNLV, Utah State University and University of Wyoming. In addition, the University of Hawai‘i and Colorado College participate in the Mountain West as single-sport members in football and women’s soccer, respectively.