About Pingry
The Pingry School, a prestigious K-12 coeducational, independent day school with a rich history dating back to its founding by Dr. John F. Pingry in 1861, stands at the forefront of academic excellence in the United States. With campuses located in Basking Ridge, Pottersville, and Short Hills, New Jersey, Pingry is celebrated for its academic programs, a student-written Honor Code that underpins our community values, and a comprehensive commitment to arts, athletics, community, and civic engagement. Our mission is to inspire in our students a lifelong passion for learning, personal development, and social responsibility, preparing them to be global citizens and luminaries of the 21st century. Rooted in relationships and guided by our foundational philosophy, Pingry is a vibrant community of more than 1,200 students hailing from over 90 towns across New Jersey and New York. At Pingry, we are united by a love of learning and a commitment to preparing students to navigate the complexities of the 21st century with confidence and integrity. For more information, we invite you to visit our website at pingry.org or connect with The Pingry School on Facebook, X, and Instagram to discover why we love school.

About Pingry Athletics
The Pingry School’s Athletics program is a cornerstone of the student experience, rooted in the belief that the "playing field" is an extension of the classroom. We strive to cultivate an environment where student-athletes develop not only physical skill and competitive drive but also character, leadership, and sportsmanship. As a member of the Pingry coaching staff, you join a community dedicated to the "Big Blue" tradition of excellence. Our program is supported by:

Elite Infrastructure: Access to the Greig Family Strength & Conditioning Center and a dedicated staff of trainers to support athlete development.

Administrative Support: A robust athletics office that handles high-level scheduling and compliance, allowing coaches to focus on mentorship and team culture.

Holistic Development: A philosophy that balances rigorous interscholastic competition with the academic and personal well-being of every student.

Whether on the water, the turf, or the court, Pingry Athletics is committed to building teams that reflect the school’s core values of intellectual engagement, social responsibility, and personal integrity.

Pingry Varsity Sailing - Head/“Dry Land” Coach
Pingry seeks a Head Varsity Sailing Coach with limited experience in sailing.

The Pingry sailing program competes in the fall season at Pingry. The team is capped at 10 participants (2 alternates). Participants on the team must have sailing (not racing) experience. 

Pingry Sailing in a unique high school program. It holds practices on and off campus, uses an outside organization that provides boats and coaches for the instruction of sailing, and hires a Head Coach for leadership, operations, logistics, organization, administrative and safety oversight. Sailing experience is preferred but not required. 

The season starts in late August and runs through the beginning of November. 

On-water practices occur two times a week in Perth Amboy at the Raritan High School Sailing Association, off-water strength and conditioning sessions (run by our S&C staff) occur two times a week and all day regattas occur on weekends in the Tom’s River. Supervision at all events is to be provided by the coach. Position requires the ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions and navigate dock/marina environments.

In season:
On water days: 3:00-7:00
Off water days: 3:30-4:30
Regatta days: 7:45am-4pm
Off season:
2-3 hours week for administrative, communication and admissions work

Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Athlete Development

• In conjunction with the on-water coach staff, evaluate the skill level of each sailor through practice evaluation and form appropriate crews and teams for the purposes of practicing and competing. Pingry’s head coach has the final say. 
• Select regattas and competitions that align with the team’s experience, development, and competitive goals.
• Set expectations for commitment to Greig Center conditioning sessions, skills-based practices, regattas, and required sailing gear.
• Guide the selection of team captains and support their leadership development.
• Work collaboratively with the on-water/skills coach to support the growth and development of each sailor.
• Continuously evaluate the program with the goal of improving performance, competitiveness, and long-term success, both for individual sailors and for the team as a whole.

Operations & Oversight

• Ensure that all sailors follow Pingry policies and the conduct and competition rules set by affiliated sailing organizations.
• Register the team with NJISA and the Raritan Bay High School Sailing Association, and manage relationships with those organizations.
• Coordinate the rental of boats and sails from outside organizations as needed.
• Manage team registration, rosters, and the accurate reporting of scores and results to NJISA, the Raritan Bay High School Sailing Association, and the Pingry School.
• Maintain oversight of a fleet of 4–6 Club 420s, including tracking maintenance and repairs, in partnership with Pingry Athletics.
• Represent Pingry professionally when practicing and competing at outside venues.
  

Transportation & Logistics

• Transport sailors in a Pingry van to and from practices and weekend regattas, and be present for the full duration of all team activities to ensure supervision, safety, and program oversight. When transportation is not needed, the coach can be reimbursed for driving their own vehicle to a regatta. In special circumstances, if a coach is unable to attend a practice or regatta, they should work to find a suitable replacement in conjunction with the Athletics Department.
• Oversee scheduling and logistics related to practices, competitions, and special events.

Communication & Community Engagement

• Participate in required Pingry trainings, meetings, and professional expectations for coaches. 
• Communicate regularly with parents regarding schedules, expectations, team policies, and Pingry regulations.
• Partner with captain families to support team logistics and community-building efforts, including event planning and coordination.
• Maintain clear communication with athletes to support accountability, sportsmanship, and team culture.
• Navigate the social and interpersonal dynamics of interscholastic sailing events while representing Pingry with professionalism, confidence, and respect.
• Communicate about the Pingry Sailing Program with prospective sailors and families as part of outreach and admissions-related opportunities.

Required Experience & Skills

• Proven Leadership: Experience in coaching, teaching, or program management (not necessarily in sailing). Must be able to manage group dynamics and mentor high school student-athletes.
• Operational Excellence: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage complex schedules, registrations, and logistical coordination across multiple venues.
• Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills; able to serve as the primary liaison between the Athletics Department, outside sailing vendors, parents, and the NJISA.
• Safety Mindset: A proactive approach to risk management and student supervision, ensuring all safety protocols are followed on and off the water.
• Valid Driver’s License: Must have a clean driving record and be comfortable operating a multi-passenger van for team transport.

Educational & Certification Requirements

• NJSIAA Compliance: Ability to obtain (or currently holding) certifications in CPR/AED, Concussion Awareness, Heat Illness Prevention, and Implicit Bias training.
• Pingry Employment Standards: Successful completion of all school-specific background checks and employment training.

Preferred (But Not Required)

• Sailing Familiarity: While "dry land" focused, a basic understanding of sailing terminology or the maritime environment is a plus.
• US Sailing Level 1: A US Sailing Level 1 Instructor certification is highly preferred.
• Administrative Tech-Savviness: Proficiency in managing rosters, reporting scores, and using digital communication platforms for parent and school updates.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply online at https://www.pingry.org/careers. 

About The Pingry School

The Pingry School, a prestigious K-12 coeducational, independent day school with a rich history dating back to its founding by Dr. John F. Pingry in 1861, stands at the forefront of academic excellence in the United States. With campuses located in Basking Ridge, Pottersville, and Short Hills, New Jersey, Pingry is celebrated for its academic programs, a student-written Honor Code that underpins our community values, and a comprehensive commitment to arts, athletics, community, and civic engagement. Our mission is to inspire in our students a lifelong passion for learning, personal development, and social responsibility, preparing them to be global citizens and luminaries of the 21st century. Rooted in relationships and guided by our foundational philosophy, Pingry is a vibrant community of more than 1,100 students hailing from over 90 towns across New Jersey and New York. At Pingry, we are united by a love of learning and a commitment to preparing students to navigate the complexities of the 21st century with confidence and integrity. For more information, we invite you to visit our website at pingry.org or connect with The Pingry School on Facebook, X, and Instagram to discover why we love school.

Connections working at The Pingry School