Chief Executive Officer of Gold & Blue, Inc. - Athletics

The department of Athletics at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Chief Executive Officer of Gold and Blue, Inc.

About the Opportunity

This position will report directly to the Vice President and Director of Athletics and serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Gold & Blue, Inc. This position will directly oversee the operations of Gold & Blue, Inc. which will include: (A) generating revenues to support WVU Athletics and the sharing of revenues to student-athletes; (B) implementation of agreements with approximately 400 student-athletes; (C) engagement with human resources, finance, and operational vendors; (D) oversight of up to 10 employees relating to the operations of Gold & Blue, Inc; (E) oversee daily operations and management, including administrative support; and (F) development of the budget estimated to be at least $22 million during Fiscal Year 2026 and growing thereafter.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
  
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
  
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
  
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
  
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
  
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
  
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Assist WVU Athletics to maximize success on the field of play and for our athletes in name, image, and likeness opportunities by assisting in the development and implementation of a premier, comprehensive, and sustainable revenue generating and name, image, and likeness ecosystem.
• Increase current revenue and create new sources of revenue to support WVU Athletics and leverage the power and passion associated with the WVU brand to enhance the lives and opportunities of WVU's elite student-athletes.
• Work with Deputy Athletics Directors and employees of WVU Athletics from a cross-functional perspective to efficiently leverage the assets of WVU Athletics for maximum revenue generation and operational efficiency.
• Attend home and away competitions to observe the coaches and student-athletes and engage with key stakeholders and potential vendors, investors, and sponsors.
• Participate in donor and public relations activities on behalf of the athletics department, e.g., attend Mountaineer Athletic Club and Athletics Communication events, as requested.
• Maintain professional growth and development through seminars, workshops and professional organizations. Participate in campus committees and state and regional professional organizations.
• Work closely with senior athletic administrative staff and with all others involved with carrying out the philosophy and objectives of the intercollegiate athletics program.
  Maintain knowledge of and comply with all rules, regulations, policies and guidelines of West Virginia University, the Big 12 Conference and the NCAA; must adhere to NCAA Bylaw 11.1 Conduct of Athletic Personnel. Failure to adhere to these policies will result in appropriate disciplinary action including possible suspension and termination.
• Stay abreast of evolving NIL trends, regulations, and technologies, adapting strategies to remain competitive in the market.
• Participate in the shared responsibility of maintaining the academic integrity essential for the University to accomplish its mission; adhere to the University's policies and guidelines regarding academic integrity and dishonesty.
• Exhibit a level of expertise in the student-athletes' professional fields; must also treat the academic requirements necessary for progress toward a degree as a matter of the highest priority for the student-athletes; must actively encourage student-athletes to succeed academically and graduate.
• Represent the University on the highest professional level with dignity, integrity, and strength of character. Exhibit ethical behavior; respect the rights and dignity of individuals with sensitivity to problems that may arise from racial, ethnical, and sexual orientation differences.
• Demonstrate a cooperative attitude towards all sports within the intercollegiate athletic program.
• Possess the ability to adapt to any situation, make decisions and work independently; ability to build and maintain relationships with student-athletes, coaches, staff members and constituencies; required to use creative abilities to develop new techniques and approaches in dealing with many issues controlled by this position; responsibilities of the position are ever-changing and require constant education; requires the ability to adapt to any situation and make decisions.
• Manage sensitive and confidential information related to student-athletes, coaches and staff utilizing discretion and correct decisions. Failure to use proper discretion at required level could result in major and significant embarrassment to the University and/or have a significant impact on image, revenues, and eligibility of student-athletes.
• Manage professional and personal time to handle time sensitive issues, tight deadlines, extended hours beyond the normal workday, weekend work and on-call availability.
• This position will be charged with the execution and implementation of special projects as assigned by the Director of Athletics.
• Faithfully and diligently execute related and other duties of the department, as requested or assigned by the Director of Athletics.

• Bachelor's degree required
• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience involving:
  
  
  
  • Management of an organization in excess of 50 individuals, including experience in business development, revenue generation, solving complex problems, and cross-functional team leadership.
  • Management of an organization in a significant and complex regulatory environment.
  • Engagement with stakeholders and community leaders.
  
  
  
  
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Proficient in business development, including prospecting, cold calling, qualification, discovery, and closing techniques.
• Strong leadership and strategic planning abilities.
• Growth mindset and employee development focus.
• Knowledge of NCAA regulations and NIL landscape.
• Understanding of technology and data analysis.
• Ability to build and maintain strong customer relationships, understand their needs, and foster loyalty.
• Ability to build trust and rapport with clients, partners, and stakeholders.
• Maintain high standard of ethics and integrity related to intercollegiate athletics.
• Exhibit ability to analyze customer behavior, market trends, and industry dynamics to understand opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead the development of the organization's short- and long-term goals.
• Exhibit strong creative, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of correct English, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.
• Demonstrated ability in public speaking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to function professionally under high stress and confrontational circumstances.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks for extended period of time.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan and organize work.
• Proactive attitude towards work and assignments.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain and develop personal contacts with outside groups.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills; and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Demonstrated knowledge of record keeping and adherence to schedule.
• Ability to stay abreast of information impacting the affected area.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and motivate groups and individuals.
• Ability to maintain proper unit attendance and punctuality standards, work extended hours including nights and weekends (often with extensive walking or standing).
• Demonstrated knowledge of affected areas of involvement.
• Demonstrated ability to manage personnel.
• Ability to make administrative / procedural decisions and judgments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.