Eastern Athletic Director
Summary
Oversee K-12 athletic programs by managing events, recruiting staff, and coordinating schedules in a public school district.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Development
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Direct and supervise all high school athletic programs, teams, and events.
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Recruit, recommend, mentor, and evaluate coaches in collaboration with the Director of Enrichment/Engagement and building principal.
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Support professional growth opportunities for coaching staff.
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Develop and maintain equitable opportunities for all students to participate in athletics.
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Promote sportsmanship, citizenship, and academic achievement as integral components of athletics.
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Maintain a current Emergency Action Plan at each location for each sport.
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Develop and coordinate practice, game, and facility schedules in partnership with the Director of Enrichment/ Engagement.
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Arrange and confirm officials, event staff, medical personnel, and security as needed.
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Oversee transportation scheduling for athletic events.
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Ensure safe and proper use of facilities, fields, and equipment.
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Manage inventory, distribution, and replacement of athletic uniforms and equipment.
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Monitor the building athletic budget within district guidelines.
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Oversee all purchasing of athletic equipment and supplies.
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Assist with fundraising efforts and ensure proper accounting of athletic funds.
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Maintain required records, including eligibility, rosters, program evaluations, and compliance documentation.
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Ensure compliance with academic eligibility standards and district policies.
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Promote the health, safety, and well-being of student-athletes, including oversight of injury protocols and return-to-play procedures.
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Encourage positive relationships among students, coaches, families, and the school community.
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Foster leadership development and opportunities for student-athletes.
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Ensure adherence to policies of the District, MHSAA, and Capital Area Activities Conference.
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Serve as the primary liaison between the school, parents, media, officials, and the community regarding athletics.
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Communicate program goals, expectations, and schedules to coaches, students, and families.
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Report regularly to the Director of Enrichment/Engagement on program status, needs, and accomplishments.
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Bachelor’s degree in education, sports management, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
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Prior experience in coaching and/or athletic administration at the secondary school level.
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Knowledge of MHSAA and league regulations.
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Demonstrated organizational, leadership, and interpersonal communication skills.
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Ability to manage budgets, scheduling, and multiple programs simultaneously.
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Current CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).
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Valid High School teaching certificate preferred.
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Leadership: Models professionalism and inspires coaches and athletes.
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Collaboration: Works effectively with district leaders, school administration, and community partners.
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Equity & Inclusion: Ensures fair and inclusive participation in athletics.
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Problem-Solving: Responds effectively to challenges in a dynamic environment.
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Communication: Maintains clear, respectful, and timely communication with all stakeholders.
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Requires flexibility in schedule, including evenings and weekends.
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Involves frequent attendance at athletic contests and events.
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Requires the ability to supervise events indoors and outdoors in varying conditions.
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School day responsibilities |
Co-curricular responsibilities |
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Collaborate with the building principal and district athletic director on hiring processes for coaches |
Observe practices and provide feedback to coaches on team culture, leadership of team, and sportsmanship |
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Lead meetings with 8th grade students about High School sports during the school day in the Spring |
Model good sportsmanship and ensure that coaches and student-athletes are displaying good sportsmanship during competitions |
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Communicate with coaches about opportunities for professional development |
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Ensure students and coaches are completing necessary sportsmanship courses |
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Track and record participation data on a weekly basis in each sport |
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Set goals with coaches at the beginning of season, provide feedback mid-season, and complete end of season evaluation using the coaching rubric |
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Teach (if certified) or assist with the teaching of classes related to athletics (examples include Coaching and Officiating, Sports Medicine, Physical Education, Health, etc.) |
Operations & Event Management
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School day responsibilities |
Co-curricular responsibilities |
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Collaborate with athletic trainers to develop EAPs and ensure that they are posted at all venues |
Ensure that EAPs are communicated to each team and practiced by teams at the beginning of the season |
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Schedule facilities for practices and games |
Ensure that event staff are setup to maintain a safe and positive environment for all staff, spectators, and student-athletes |
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Schedule officials, transportation, and event staff for all home events |
Supervise events and assign event managers for nights with multiple events |
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Prepare game sheets for league competitions and communicate to opposing schools and school/district staff, as necessary |
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Keep accurate inventory records of all uniforms and equipment |
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Communicate facility needs to operations, grounds, and Director of Enrichment and Engagement, as necessary |
Fiscal & Administrative Management
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School day responsibilities |
Co-curricular responsibilities |
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Follow all district accounting procedures to make necessary purchases and ensure that all purchases fall within budget guidelines |
Ensure coaches are aware of policies and procedures related to budgets and fundraising |
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Ensure that all fundraising activity is done in accordance with district policies |
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Maintain records of master student-athlete eligibility and coach evaluations and share this information with the Director of Enrichment/ Engagement |
Student-Athlete Support
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School day responsibilities |
Co-curricular responsibilities |
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Keep a master list of eligibility for student-athletes, broken down by sport and support student-athletes in meeting requirements to stay eligible for the full season |
Ensure coaches are following eligibility guidelines |
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Monitor physical and emotional well-being of all student-athletes and ensure that proper protocols and procedures are being followed |
Observe practices and competitions to ensure coaches are communicating positively with student-athletes, families, and the school community |
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Individually check-in with student-athletes during the school day multiple times throughout the season |
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Encourage student-athletes to participate in multiple sports throughout the school year |
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Meet with student-athlete representatives 3-5 times a year to gain student perspective and input |
Compliance & Communication
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School day responsibilities |
Co-curricular responsibilities |
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Ensure all MHSAA attestments and requirements are completed by established deadlines |
Make sure expectations and goals are communicated to coaches and student-athletes |
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Ensure coaches are submitting official ratings each week |
Create and post visuals to help reinforce expectations and goals |
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Ensure information related to athletics is being communicated through announcements, newsletters, and other means of communication |
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Communicate information to media, as appropriate, related to athletics |
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Keep the Director of Enrichment/ Engagement informed of needs, accomplishments, and concerns |
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Attend district AD meetings, league meetings, and other required MHSAA meetings |
Qualifications
Professional Competencies