Head Swim Coach & Director of Aquatics

Head Swim Coach & Dirctor of Aquatics

Sweet Briar is a liberal arts college for women with a long history of forging female leaders. After a near closure in 2015, the College was saved by its alumnae and underwent dramatic transformation. Today Sweet Briar College is repeatedly named by the US News and World Report as one of the most innovative liberal arts colleges in the nation. Sweet Briar College is financially stable and actively growing again, attracting students who are drawn to it for its excellent liberal arts program, coupled with distinctive programs in women leadership, engineering, sustainability, arts and its legendary equestrian program.

Located in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains approximately 12 miles north of Lynchburg and 54 miles south of Charlottesville. Its campus is one of the nation’s most spectacular, replete with nature sanctuaries, lakes, forests, trails, and most recently, vineyards, apiary and greenhouses.

The College boasts a modern core curriculum focused on women's leadership in the 21st century and undergraduate programs in the arts, sciences and humanities, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching. It is one of only two women’s colleges in the United States with an ABET-accredited engineering degree. The women’s leadership core curriculum is innovative and energizing.

When students graduate, they are persuasive communicators who know how to think on their feet and bring people together. No matter what they study or where they go, Sweet Briar women are prepared to lead. The campus community is a family of faculty, staff, coaches, and alumnae who support and encourage students and each other. With an average class size of eight students, students lead research, ask questions and forge supportive relationships with faculty that can last for decades.

Job Title: Head Swim Coach; Director of Aquatics; Instructor

Classification: Full time, Exempt

Reports To:  Director of Athletics

Job Summary/Objective: The Head Swim Coach works closely with the Director of Athletics in regards to the Athletic Department policies and procedures as they relate to the student-athlete’s team experience at Sweet Briar College.  Adheres to and enforces all policies and procedures of the department and the Institution, as well as the rules and regulations of the NCAA, Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) and any other authorities that affect the intercollegiate athletic program.  

Position Type/Expected Work Hours: Full time, 12 month employee, varied hours including evenings and weekends.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• Manages assistant coach and any student-workers involved in the program

• Certifies and oversees safety of natatorium with Director of Physical Plant 

• Hires, trains, and supervises lifeguard personnel

Essential Responsibilities: 

• Direct and implement all aspects of the women’s swim program; provide learning opportunities that challenge and support student-athletes to reach their full potential

• Support student-athlete academic and athletic excellence, leadership development, and community engagement

• Direct team development, training, and strategy in practice and competition, recruit prospective students who will positively represent Sweet Briar College; make a competitive schedule;

• Adheres to and enforces all policies and procedures of the department and the Institution, as well as the rules and regulations of the NCAA, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) and any other authorities that affect the intercollegiate athletic program

• Manage team budget

• Motivate student-athletes to perform to maximum levels 

• Assists with conditioning and training of team members in conjunction with sport skills training

• Utilizes sound teaching techniques in the preparation of meets and practices

• Prepare, propose, manage swim team and facility budget

• Manage pool facility and its use by camps and outside groups

• Hire, train, and supervise lifeguards

• Offer programming to campus community

• Work collaboratively within the department and other areas of our campus community 

• Teach one or more classes per semester based on need and interest of the student body.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics.

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree

• Must adhere to the philosophy of Sweet Briar College and NCAA Division III rules

• CPR/AED certification

• Lifeguarding certification at the instructor level

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Experience coaching/participation at the collegiate level swimming

• Demonstrated ability and passion to teach swim skills to a range of experience levels

• Strong commitment to NCAA Division III philosophy

• Motivation and skill in recruiting prospective student-athletes

• Willingness to fundraise

• Ability to interact with all levels of the Sweet Briar College community

• Ability to work weekdays, evenings, and weekends

• Candidate must have a valid driver’s license and meet college’s insurability standards

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in Coaching, Education, or similar field

• 3 or more years of collegiate coaching and recruiting experience

• Certified Pool Operators License

• Experience with Hy-Tek Meet Manager/Team Manager and Visionware

Work Environment:  Various work environments from seasonal outdoor work with teams to indoor facilities as administrative responsibilities in the office environment.

Physical Demands:  Moderate activity; must be able to work effectively with student-athletes and lift up to 20-lbs on occasion.  Extensive periods of sitting/standing may be required. 

Travel:  As competition and recruiting needs dictate. 

Deadline for Submission:  Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.  

Other Duties:  This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Sweet Briar College is committed to enhancing our community and encourages applications from qualified individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences and ideas who would increase the diversity of the College.