Spirit Squad Coach

The Head Coach of the Spirit Squad oversees the Northwestern cheerleading and mascot program organizing practices, conducting tryouts, teaching routines and supervising the team at all home football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball games. As an extension of the Northwestern Athletics and Recreation Department, the Spirit Squad Coach works with the cheer and mascot teams to enhance the fan experience at Northwestern events. The Coach must serve as a positive role model for students through ethical and professional conduct.

• Please note: Willingness and ability to work evenings, weekends and holidays. Travel required.

Responsible for adhering to all Department and University policies and procedures, as well as the rules, regulations, bylaws and interpretations of the Big Ten Conference and the NCAA.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Coaches and instructs cheerleaders and mascots, individually or in groups, the applicable skills, rules, regulations, equipment and techniques of the sport.
• Works with cheerleaders and mascots during practices and sport events; Observes cheerleaders and mascots, during events and practice to determine the needs for individual and team improvement.
• Develops a regular practice schedule and organizes practice times to provide both individual and team development; emphasizes safety in skill development, providing proper warmup and conditioning, and ensures student safety at all times.
• Assesses skills and assigns team positions. Models nondiscriminatory practices in assignment of positions.
• Coaches the cheerleading and mascot teams at all home football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball games.
• Coaches and chaperones the cheerleading and mascot teams at away football games; develops policies for determining travel squad members. Models nondiscriminatory practices in scheduling team travel.
• Coaches and chaperones the cheer and mascot teams at postseason events (i.e. Football Bowl Game, Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments).
• Participates in special events (i.e. Meet the Team Night, Kits, Cats and Kids Block party, Wildcat Welcome events, Homecoming, etc.); Develop procedures for scheduling cheerleaders and mascot performers for all events.
• Follows established procedures for securing supplies, distributing uniforms and securing meeting and practice space.
• Recruits new students to join the cheerleading and mascot teams each year. Plans, organizes and conducts tryouts for the cheer and mascot programs.
• Maintains the operating, fundraising and donation budgets for the teams; including paying bills, obtaining payments for appearances, etc. Obtains administrative budget approval annually.
• Models good sportsmanship and maintains appropriate conduct toward cheerleaders, officials and fans.
• Supervises recruits and hires volunteer assistant coaches.
• Collaborates with the athletics’ marketing team on gameday preparation.
• Provides administrative support to the Event Management and Marketing departments in preparation for home events.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum 2 years’ experience as a cheer coach; high school or college level preferred.
• Must possess effective coaching techniques and skills.
• Must possess thorough knowledge of the rules, regulations, strategies and techniques of USA Cheer College Cheer rules.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students and administration.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity.
• Certificate in USA Cheer Safety and Risk Management by USA Cheer before employment start date and maintained throughout appointment.
• Maintenance of CPR, AED and First Aid training required.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends and some holidays.
• Travel required for away football games and postseason events.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.