Ed McLaughlin serves as the current director of athletics for Virginia Commonwealth University, a position he was named to on July 24, 2012. Prior to this role, he was the athletic director for Niagara University from 2006 to 2012. His earlier career included roles as an assistant athletic director at American University and Merrimack College.

During his tenure at Niagara University, McLaughlin made a notable decision in 2012 to eliminate the school's women's ice hockey program.