Head Coach - Varsity Girls Cross Country

William Penn Charter School is a Quaker, all gender, pre-K-12 independent day school, situated on a beautiful, 47-acre campus in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Established in 1689 by William Penn and members of the Religious Society of Friends, Penn Charter is a community guided by Quaker testimonies and the central belief that there is "that of God" in every person. A school community that honors difference, Penn Charter seeks to be a place where diversity is understood, represented and valued. Our curriculum embraces a plurality of cultures and celebrates an array of voices, instilling in us a deeper understanding and empathy for individuals in this community and the world. 

As our mission states, we value scholarship and inquiry. With excellence as our standard, we challenge students in a vigorous program of academics, arts and athletics. Through global connections, civic engagement and a focus on environmental sustainability, we inspire students to be thinkers, collaborators, innovators and leaders. We educate students to live lives that make a difference. 

Penn Charter has a rich and storied tradition of excellence in athletics and an enduring belief in the importance of sports and fitness to the health and well-being of all students. The Athletics program is an integral part of the educational program and our coaches support our athletic teams by providing quality instruction to student-athletes and working to develop the core values that stem from our beliefs and practices as a Quaker institution. Penn Charter is one of the original members of the Inter-Academic League, formed in 1887, and the Penn Charter Quakers are part of the oldest continuing prep school football rivalry in the US with Germantown Academy.  Winning countless championships, many graduates go on to play their sport in college (over the last five years, 30% of Penn Charter’s graduating seniors have gone on to play their chosen sport at the collegiate level), and some professionally. Skilled teachers and coaches help our students understand – whether on the playing field or in the classroom – how to collaborate and compete, how to win with grace, and how to handle challenges and setbacks. 

The cross country team trains on Penn Charter’s track in addition to the nearby trails of the Wissahickon. Open in 2021, the Graham Athletics and Wellness Center (88,000 sq. ft) is the hub for all Penn Charter student-athletes. Players utilize the state-of-the-art Blaine Fitness Center under the direction of three full-time strength and conditioning coaches to improve their athletic performance and build a strong foundation for a lifetime of wellness. Penn Charter’s three full-time athletic trainers utilize the latest treatment and rehabilitation techniques to return injured athletes to sports participation in the shortest but safest time frame, prioritizing their overall health and safety.

POSITION SUMMARY 

Penn Charter seeks an experienced, energetic and enthusiastic Varsity Girls Cross Country Coach to lead our girls cross country program and to join our ever-growing athletics department. It is the expectation that all Penn Charter coaches embody the mission and philosophy of the School. Penn Charter coaches always demonstrate a primary focus on sportsmanship, model commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and demonstrate self-awareness in all interactions and relationships. In addition to working closely and compassionately with students and families, athletic coaches work collaboratively with other members of the athletic department, faculty, and staff. Familiarity with Quaker principles and practices is also highly desirable.

This is a part-time, seasonal position that may require evening and weekend commitments, especially during the cross country season. Practices and games take place each weekday afternoon from 3:30 to 6:00 pm as well as on Saturdays. Off-season activities, training sessions, and recruitment efforts may also demand additional time. Depending on the candidate's availability and background, there may be opportunities to support Penn Charter's distance running program as an assistant coach during the indoor and outdoor track seasons. 

Essential functions:

Program Leadership and Development

• Serve as the face of Penn Charter's girls cross country program, be a strong role model for the runners and assistant coaching staff and maintain positive relationships with parents, school administrators, faculty and community members.
• Lead and manage all aspects of the cross country program, including practices, race preparation, and competition strategies.
• Work closely with assistant coaches, team staff, athletic department leadership and student-athletes to build a cohesive program that encourages, models and builds respect, commitment, integrity and responsibility in each student. 
• Promote the cross country program within the school community, ensuring alignment with the school’s mission.
• In collaboration with members of the admissions department and other coaching staff, assist with the recruitment and development of talented runners, both from within the school and externally and build connections with youth programs and feeder schools.
• Ensure compliance with all school, league and state athletic rules and regulations.

Coaching Expectations

• Prioritize the safety and well-being of student-athletes by ensuring that training environments are supervised and safe and accounting for environmental conditions.
• Recognize proper running form and teach techniques to improve efficiency and reduce injury risk.
• Educate runners on fueling for training and races, hydration strategies, pacing strategies, course analysis, and mental preparation for races.
• Interpret training logs, race times, and performance metrics to adjust training plans.
• Create a season-long training schedule that balances hard efforts, recovery, and progression for all levels of runners.
• Work closely with the school’s athletic trainers and medical staff to address injuries and health concerns promptly.
• In partnership with the school's strength and conditioning and athletic training personnel, develop and run off-season workouts, to include the summer months of June and July.
• In partnership with Penn Charter's college counseling office, assist runners and their families with the college admissions process.
• Maintain professional growth by attending Penn Charter led professional development activities as well as coaching clinics and conferences. 
• Attend all league meetings for cross country coaches.
• Meet with the athletics department leadership on a regular basis to review and plan ahead for the program.
• Maintain accurate records of team and player statistics, injuries, and other program information.
• Provide clear, weekly communication with families and athletes related to practice and game schedules and other topics that impact the program.
• In collaboration with Athletics Department leadership, ensure the timely and accurate reporting of race results.
• Comply with all professional guidelines as listed in Penn Charter's Employee and Coaches Handbooks. 
• Other duties as assigned by the Athletic Director or their designee.

Community Engagement and Culture

• Create a culture where the multisport student-athlete philosophy is expected and celebrated.  
• Value the dignity and worth of each individual athlete while fostering a strong team dynamic focused on common purpose and collective achievement.
• Foster the development of fair play and sportsmanship. 
• Educate parents, with the assistance of athletic department personnel, about the philosophy, policies and expectations of the athletic program. 
• Clearly define, communicate and uphold standards of conduct with players, spectators and coaches. 
• Practice and promote positive interaction with and among student-athletes, the school, prospective students, opponents and the Penn Charter community. 
• Take responsibility for the care of materials, equipment and facilities and ensure members of the coaching staff and student-athletes do the same. 
• Comply with all Penn Charter policies and represent the School in a positive manner at all times. 

Competencies

• Demonstrated enthusiasm for coaching, mentoring, teaching and learning. 
• Ability to showcase passion and understanding about the positive impact athletics has on the broader educational experience at Penn Charter.
• Demonstrated experience coaching cross country at the high school and/or collegiate level; head coaching experience preferred.
• Possess a deep commitment to the student-athlete's physical, social and emotional well-being, development of moral character, and academic and athletic success.
• Ability to remain professional and courteous at all times, and in particular, while interacting with students, colleagues, and parents and caregivers about athletic performance and skills.
• Clear communication skills both verbally and in writing.
• High energy, initiative, and strong work ethic. 
• Strong organizational skills and patience. 
• Ability to multi-task & prioritize work. 

Physical demands 

• Physical capability to frequently lift or move weight as in lifting and carrying athletic equipment 
• Repetitively bend, stretch and stoop, and work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions when necessary 
• Intermittent time periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer 
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions 

Required education and experience 

• Prior head coaching experience or extensive experience as an assistant coach
• Minimum varsity or collegiate level playing experience 
• A love of working with students 
• A college degree is preferred, though we welcome applicants with a variety of backgrounds and will evaluate based on the overall fit with the role.

We will review application materials as they are submitted and interview candidates on a rolling basis until the position has been filled. 

William Penn Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.