Director of Athletics

Description

Saint Francis High School, a Catholic, Holy Cross school dedicated to educating the whole person, is seeking a visionary and dynamic Director of Athletics to lead a distinguished and celebrated athletic program. The ideal candidate is a mission-driven leader who values sports as a vital component of student development and is committed to fostering excellence, integrity, and inclusivity in all aspects of the athletic experience.

The Director of Athletics will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight of the school’s athletic programs, ensuring alignment with the mission and values of Saint Francis High School.

The Director will be committed to:

Student-Athlete Leadership and Formation

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for the athletic program that supports student growth, leadership, and formation
• Cultivate an inclusive and competitive athletic culture that values teamwork, effort, and sportsmanship and prioritizes leadership responsibility and ownership among student-athletes
• Foster a collaborative partnership between athletics and other areas of the school to promote a balanced and holistic student experience

Program Development & Competitive Excellence

• Provide oversight and direction for a comprehensive athletic program that includes over 31 programs competing in the WCAL and CCS leagues,
• centering the values of effort, teamwork, and sportsmanship
• Expand the athletics program through identification of league opportunities, up and coming sports, advancing staff and implementing efficiencies
• Recruit, mentor, support, and retain high-quality coaches who align with the school’s mission and values and are committed to developing all levels of their program
• Promote high standards of coaching, training, and performance to ensure student-athletes reach their fullest potential
• Cultivate a consistent and formative athletic experience across all programs that reflects a culture rooted in Holy Cross values

Parent and Community Engagement

• Prioritize creating a consistent parent experience that encourages engagement and leadership among parents in furthering the athletic department’s mission and vision
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with parents, officials, and fans by attending games, ensuring our principles of good sportsmanship and hospitality are being modeled,  and maintaining open communication with stakeholders

Key Responsibilities

Program Administration

• Oversee and coordinate all athletic program activities, including scheduling, practices, and contests
• Work closely with the Principal and Vice Principals in securing on campus coaches when possible and off-campus coaches when necessary
• Be aware of and adhere to current WCAL, CCS and other league rules across all sports
• Collaborate with the business office to manage and take responsibility for the $1.5 mm athletic budget, ensuring financial accountability and oversight of all expenditures
• Supervise the inventory, maintenance, and repair of athletic equipment
• Ensure compliance with eligibility standards for student-athletes, including physical examinations, academic requirements, and special considerations for transfer students
• Represent the school at league, sectional, and state athletic meetings, while developing policies to encourage full participation
• Serve as a member of the Leadership Team and report directly to the Vice Principal for Campus Life 

Staff Management and Development

• Collaborate with Associate Athletic Directors to identify opportunities to advance and strengthen various aspects of the athletic programs
• Oversee the recruitment, selection, training, evaluation, and development of athletic department staff and coaches
• Implement and oversee mentorship program for coaches and athletic staff
• Coordinate annual coach, student-athlete, and parent meetings to foster open communication, collaboration, and formation
• Promote professional development by offering certification opportunities and encouraging growth among athletic staff
• Support and promote positive department interactions within and beyond the athletic department
• Actively participate on committees or boards as appointed or requested to support the needs of educators, students or the school

Community Engagement and Public Relations

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with parents, officials, and fans by attending games, ensuring our principles of good sportsmanship and hospitality are being modeled,  and maintaining open communication with stakeholders
• Develop a clear documented plan for parent engagement and parent partnership with our athletic programs
• Oversee the mission-aligned promotion of the athletic program through the school’s website, social media, and other outreach initiatives
• Coordinate and oversee the Athletic Directors Council, using the leadership of this group as a leadership model for all student-athletes
• Coordinate the Booster Program to foster community support for athletics

Operations and Safety

• Supervise game day operations for home and away contests, ensuring smooth execution
• Reserve facilities for home events and matches
• Arrange appropriate transportation to away games in a timely manner 
• Coordinate referee assignments for all home contests
• Ensure all athletic practices and events prioritize the safety and well-being of student-athletes and spectators

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required; Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of five years of experience in athletic administration, leadership and coaching
• Proven experience managing financial budgets from creation through implementation
• Strong knowledge of athletic program operations, budgeting, and management
• Past or current participation in sport as an athlete and/or coach is preferred
• First Aid certification required

Skills and Attributes

• Exceptional written, verbal communication and presentation skills
• Respect for time management, documentation and comprehensive communication
• Technical aptitude in Google suite and Microsoft suite
• Proven ability to lead and inspire students, coaches, and community members
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Commitment to fostering academic and athletic success for student-athletes
• Serves as a positive role model, exemplifying the values of good citizenship, kindness, and Christian service
• Vision, creativity, flexibility, and capacity to execute the school’s mission and strategic plan
• Successful administrative experience and the proven ability to motivate others
• Be comfortable and clear with delegating and being delegated to 
• Creative problem-solver 
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple responsibilities simultaneously and adapt to frequent or unexpected changes
• Detail-oriented with excellent follow-through execution skills

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly hire, train, supervise and provide written evaluation of coaches and the athletic department staff, including assistant athletic directors, athletic operations coordinator, game supervisors, athletic trainers, and sports performance staff 

Physical Requirements

• Ability to operate basic functions of a professional office
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. and sit or stand for long periods
• Availability and flexibility to work evenings and weekends

Additional Information

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Salary : $120,000 - $160,000