Job Description:

• As leader of Labâ™s Athletics Department, the Director of Athletics responsibilities include direct supervision of a team of five administrators that will expand to six; ensuring appropriate guidance and support for over 600 student athletes (335 high school, 270 middle school, and anticipated 250 in lower school) across 17 sports and over 50 teams; and guiding and supporting over 60 coaches in 94 coaching positions, as well as support staff. 
• Oversees the recruitment, hiring, training, mentorship, evaluation, and professional growth of coaches from within Labâ™s faculty and staff community and beyond.
• Partners closely with the principals and deans of all four divisions at Lab, to sustain and further develop the link between Athletics and other programs and initiatives, including admissions, alumni relations and development, college counseling, student support services, and academic departments. In furtherance of Labâ™s mission imperative of honoring diversity, advances our aspiration of becoming an anti-bias, antiracist school, working closely with Labâ™s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Director of Equal Opportunity Services. 
• Works closely with Lab's Marketing and Communications department to adhere to both University of Chicago's and Lab's brand standards including the design of uniforms, signage, SWAG, and other hard goods; to effectively promote events and programs; and to develop, write, and disseminate (via the athletics website, e-mail, and social media platforms) stories that publicize the program, coaches, and student athletes.
• Oversees the use and coordination of Labâ™s Athletics facilities, partners with the University of Chicago regarding Labâ™s use of the Universityâ™s swimming pool, tennis courts, indoor track, and baseball diamond. 
• Coordinates the rental of community and public athletics facilities such as the Midway Plaisance, the Harold Washington Tennis Courts, the Ray and Joan Kroc Center Baseball Diamond, Jackson Park and Harborside golf courses, and Washington Park for cross-country running. 
• Cultivates schoolwide pride in our student athletesâ™ efforts and successes, as well as creating and maintaining systems and structures to provide robust communications with students, employees, parents, and alumni about Athletics initiatives and endeavors.
• Through their leadership, vision, and communications, fosters respect for Labâ™s mission and values among athletes, coaches, administrators, and supporters of the program, as well as enhancing character development, a sense of community spirit, and emotional development among student athletes.
• With strong institutional and community support, takes advantage of a number of rewarding opportunities and productively addresses challenges in the next chapter of Lab Athletics. Leads an inclusive process to discern a long-term strategic plan for Lab Athletic facilities.
• Reviews Lab Schoolâ™s participation-based (i.e., no cut) program approach and explores, evolves, and communicates the best philosophy and approach to support student athlete participation, inclusion, and competitiveness.
• Reviews the performance of teams and individual student-athletes in order to instruct and advise on technical, strategic, and mental development. Analyzes data and evaluates tapes in order to develop, implement, and teach game strategies.
• Counsels and advises student-athletes on their academic, personal, and physical conditions, consulting with the appropriate University staff as necessary.
• The Labâ™s Athletics program currently supports 65% of our students in Middle School and at University High School; this will expand to include support and growth for Lower School athletes.
• Manages campus-wide recreational programming.
• Develops and implements an overall recruiting plan. Determines fiscal requirements and prepares budgetary recommendations; monitors, verifies and reconciles expenditures of budgeted funds.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelorâ™s degree and advanced degree in relevant field.

Experience:

• Progressively responsible experience in athletic program administration.
• Background in coaching and/or teaching.
• Experience working in K-12 education.
• Working in a university or other complex bureaucracy.
• Experience successfully implementing a systems approach to athletic administration, including budget management, hiring, scheduling, facilities management, and communications.

Preferred Competencies

• Outstanding leadership and organizational skills, and proven success developing and implementing a complex, multifaceted Athletics program serving children and teens.
• Up-to-date awareness of best practices in coaching, professional development, program management, and community building.
• Strong supervision, mentorship, and support skills to foster a productive, collegial, and efficient working environment among Athletics administrative team and coaching staff.
• Ongoing commitment to learning and growth in skills, issues, and competencies relevant to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Skill at building and sustaining excellent relationships at multiple levels with varied constituencies.
• Proven experience growing the diversity of a program or enterprise.
• Proven experience in developing inclusiveness, a culture of belonging, and a structure of equitable practices in Athletics and in the greater community.
• A student-centered approach to athletic administration and coaching.
• A proven record of establishing trust and respect within a community.
• A sense of humor and joy in working with children and teenagers, their families, and a school community.
• Collegial and collaborative leadership voice in relevant schoolwide topics and partner effectively with a wide variety of colleagues.
• Lead the Athletics program with a high level of visibility throughout the school day, during practices, and at competitions.
• Facility in navigating administration and bureaucracy of a complex organization.
• Collegial and collaborative leadership voice in relevant school wide topics and partner effectively with a wide variety of colleagues
• Facility in navigating administration and bureaucracy of a complex organization.
• Demonstrated ability to build community connections, including with leaders in outside programs and with those who oversee community facilities.
• Capacity to manage and navigate the expectations of invested and aspirational students and families with grace, compassion, appropriate boundaries, and self-care.
• Generate and promote support and excitement with regard to Athletics programming through appropriate communications, events, and initiatives.
• Maintain a calm and courteous demeanor and work productively despite competing priorities, complex problems, and tight deadlines.
• Handle public contacts with courtesy, clarity, and diplomacy. 
• Handle sensitive and confidential situations and information with absolute discretion.
• Maintain Labâ™s membership and good standing with the Illinois High School Association.
• Ensure compliance with all athletic policies established by the Illinois State Board of Education for non-public schools, including serving as the school concussion oversight team lead.
• Serve as the lead for the interscholastic activities crisis plan.
• Support student athletes seeking to continue their careers at the college level.

Working Conditions

• Move in and around the classroom/building to interact with students, faculty, staff, parents, and other members of the community. 
• Move class-related equipment/tools, as appropriate, around school property. 
• When appropriate, escort children from one classroom to another, in and out of the building during arrival and dismissal, and in an emergency situation. 
• Demonstrate skills, when appropriate. 

Application Docments

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Professional References Contact Information (3)(required)

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

About University of Chicago (UC)

One of the world's premier academic and research institutions, the University of Chicago has driven new ways of thinking since our 1890 founding. Today, UChicago is an intellectual destination that draws inspired scholars to our Hyde Park and international campuses, keeping UChicago at the nexus of ideas that challenge and change the world.

Connections working at University of Chicago (UC)