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Director of Athletics JOB DESCRIPTION

Chadwick School

Palos Verdes Peninsula, California

Chadwick School is an independent, K-12, coeducational day school dedicated to academic excellence, the development of exemplary character, and self-discovery through experience. A highly educated faculty and staff bring out the best in the talented student body through active learning, challenging academics, one-on-one mentoring, unparalleled global opportunities, nationally distinguished outdoor education and community service programs, outstanding athletic opportunities, and award-winning visual and performing arts.

The core values of respect, responsibility, honesty, fairness, and compassion are widely shared and fostered daily in classrooms, during co-curricular activities, and through the camaraderie of this close-knit community.

Located on a beautiful, 45-acre hilltop campus on the scenic Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County, Chadwick enrolls over 800 students drawn from more than 45 Southern California communities.

Chadwick’s athletics program is a vibrant extension of the school’s mission. Home to 22 sports and more than 50 dedicated coaches, the program has earned 149 Prep League championships and 26 CIF Southern Section titles since 1975, with alumni continuing their athletic careers at universities such as Stanford, Dartmouth, USC, and the U.S. Naval Academy. From cross-country runners and soccer players to swimmers and basketball and baseball teams, Chadwick athletes compete with character: learning to lead, persevere, and support one another through every challenge. The school’s athletics facilities, including the Pascoe Pavilion Gymnasium, swimming pool, Commander Chadwick Field, and baseball and softball diamonds, serve as training grounds for both athletic excellence and also the lifelong values of teamwork, resilience, and integrity.

Job Title: Director of Athletics

Division/Department: K-12/Physical Education

Reports To: Head of School

Location: Palos Verdes, CA

Level/Grade: K-12           

Type of position/FLSA: Full-time Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

Chadwick’s Director of Athletics leads a dynamic, mission-driven K–12 athletics and physical education program that embodies the school’s Mission, Core Values, and educational philosophy. Committed to fostering a culture of excellence, leadership, and school spirit, the program ensures that all students benefit from high-quality physical education and opportunities to participate in competitive and inclusive team sports.

Overseeing a program of dedicated student-athletes and coaches, the Director champions physical education, competitive achievement, and character education, emphasizing teamwork and personal growth. The Director collaborates with school and division leaders to ensure that athletics and physical education advance Chadwick’s mission to develop global citizens with keen minds, exemplary character, self-knowledge, and the ability to lead.

The Director of Athletics reports to the Head of School and serves on the School Leadership Team, working closely with the Associate Director of Athletics, Middle School Athletics Director, and Physical Education Chair to create a cohesive, high-quality, vertically aligned K–12 experience.

This position requires significant time commitments outside of the traditional workday, including evenings and weekends, to manage athletic competitions, attend community events, and travel to away matches for certain sports and postseason play.

ASSOCIATED RESPONSIBILITIES

 Leadership & Program Oversight

• Direct a comprehensive K–12 athletics program with over 50 coaches and 22 sports, ensuring alignment with the school’s Mission, Core Values, Core Competencies, and educational philosophy.
• Serve on the School Leadership Team and advocate for athletics as a vital component of student growth, character education, and leadership.
• Lead the athletics leadership team to ensure cohesion and coordination across divisions.
• Promote school spirit and pride in Chadwick athletics, serving as an ambassador for the program within and beyond the school community.
• Collaborate with coaches, division heads, and student leaders to build school spirit programming and traditions that strengthen community connection and pride.
• Oversee and mentor the student Athletic Council, cultivating student leadership and school spirit through purposeful programming and service.
  
  

Coaching & Professional Development

• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate full-time and walk-on coaches.
• Partner with the Associate Director of Athletics to support and onboard new and walk-on coaches, ensuring a smooth and mission-aligned integration into Chadwick athletics.
• Observe practices and games to provide growth feedback and support coaches in improving approaches, team culture, player development, and family communication.
• Facilitate regular coaches’ meetings to promote collaboration, share best practices, and strengthen consistency across teams.
• Foster ongoing professional development, mentorship, and leadership for coaches.
• Set, publicize, and uphold high standards of conduct for coaches, aligned with CIF’s Code of Ethics.
• Maintain a Coaches’ Handbook outlining policies, expectations, and best practices.
  
  

Program Coordination & Communication

• Partner with the Physical Education Chair to align PE and athletics curriculum goals through regular department meetings.
• Collaborate with the 6-8th grade athletic coordinators to strengthen the middle school athletic experience and build continuity into Upper School programs.
• Coordinate with the College Counseling Office to support student-athletes in pursuing college-level athletics, offering guidance on recruitment, eligibility, and exposure.
• Ensure proactive, timely, and transparent communication with families and students regarding schedules, rosters, and program expectations.
• Maintain clear and proactive communication with students, parents, the Booster club, and faculty and staff as relevant.
• Represent and promote Chadwick athletics at admissions events, community gatherings, and external meetings such as Prep League and CIF sessions.
• Oversee timely, accurate, and engaging communication of team results and athletics news through internal and external media channels.
  
  

Operations & Logistics

• Partner with Athletics Office Manager and Head Coaches to oversee practice, game, and tournament scheduling for all teams; coordinate schedule changes and travel logistics.
• Supervise and support the Associate Director of Athletics, who manages day-to-day athletics operations including event setup and logistics, equipment and uniform inventory, transportation scheduling, coordination of officials, and use of off-campus facilities as needed.
• Partner with Head Coaches to oversee extended travel and overnight trips for competitions.
• Develop and refine clear systems and processes, including roster management, off-season training, strength and conditioning, and team celebrations, to ensure consistency, clarity, and excellence across all teams.
  
  

Facilities, Equipment & Budget

• Ensure the safety, security, and maintenance of all athletic facilities.
• Support the Associate Director of Athletics who oversees the purchase, inventory, and distribution of athletic uniforms and equipment.
• Manage annual and multi-year athletics budgets with fiscal responsibility and transparency.
  
  

Compliance & Administration

• File all required CIF paperwork and ensure adherence to league and association policies.
• Communicate athletic updates and compliance information to the appropriate administrators.
• Uphold all school and CIF standards for safety, ethics, and equity.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED AND PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 3+ years of successful experience as a secondary school athletic director or administrator strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, articulate, and implement a compelling vision for a mission-driven athletics program.
• Exemplary personal and professional ethics consistent with Chadwick’s Core Values.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills; proven ability to build relationships across diverse stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of adolescent development, coaching practices, and student well-being.
• Comprehensive knowledge of CIF rules, regulations, and governance, with the ability to ensure full compliance and integrity in all aspects of athletic competition.
• Familiarity with the independent school landscape, including its educational philosophy, scheduling structures, and community engagement.
• Understanding of the collegiate athletics landscape, including recruitment, eligibility, and pathways for student-athletes.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous improvement.

Compensation: $160,000 to $185,000 salary based on years of experience, credentials and other qualifications.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

• Required to lift and carry up to a maximum of 25 lbs., in a correct manner consistent with the appropriate training provided by the School.
• Occasionally required to use hand to handle or feel objects, touch and use tools, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, bend, stoop, twist, lift, reach, push, pull, grasp, balance, kneel, crouch, crawl, grasp, talk, hear, and walk during the course of employment.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and an ability to adjust focus.
• May use telephone, computer, copier, and other office equipment in the course of a day.

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.  This may include warm, hot, or cold temperatures.  The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

CLEARANCES

Required Assessments:  TB           Clearances:  Livescan Background check

Note: The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties and responsibilities that are required of the position.

About Chadwick School

Chadwick is a K-12 coeducational non-denominational independent day school located on a beautiful 45-acre campus on a hill overlooking mountains, canyons and the Pacific Ocean. Founded as a boarding school in the 1930's in what was then a remote area of Los Angeles County, the school has retained its rural charm and relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Thirty-three faculty and staff families reside on campus, adding to a strong sense of community and shared aspirations. The school is dedicated to academic excellence and to the development of the character and individual gifts of its students. The school’s challenging academic offerings are therefore complemented by extensive programs in community service, outdoor education, athletics and the arts, in which virtually all students participate. Chadwick is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. School policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on age, ancestry, color, disability, marital status, medical condition, national origin, religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation and race, or any other applicable law prohibiting discrimination in employment. This commitment applies to all empl...oyees and agents of the school, including the headmaster, division and department directors, supervisors and co-workers.

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