Director of Athletics

Position Information

Job Classification  Administrator, Exempt, Salaried

FT/PT Status 1.0 FTE

Work Schedule Normally Monday – Friday, hours to be determined based on departmental needs; flexible evening and weekend hours will be required  

Department Athletics

Travel Requirements 

Travel to home and away events as required.  

FLSA Status:   Exempt 

Position Summary

The Director of Athletics is responsible for the leadership, supervision, and coordination of the interscholastic athletics program. This includes selection, management and evaluation of coaches, management of equipment and facilities, programmatic planning, and scheduling and communication.

The Director of Athletics reports directly to the Head of School. The individual in this position will make decisions and handle most duties and responsibilities independently, though in accordance with established procedures and policies, and will seek direction from the Head of School in unusual or unique situations. The Director of Athletics must work closely with the Athletics Trainer and Assistant to the Director of Athletics as well collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, parents, internal and external coaches, schools, and vendors. The individual in this position serves in a manner that advances and upholds the mission and philosophy of Winchester Thurston School.

The Director of Athletics is responsible for the following duties and responsibilities: 

• Develop, organize, supervise and evaluate the school’s program of interscholastic athletics for the entire school body
• Work in conjunction with the Human Resources Office to fill coach positions with competent coaches who are properly trained in all organizational and philosophical aspects of the athletics program; ensure compliance with all WT employment requirements
• Schedule all athletic events not otherwise scheduled by the Western Pennsylvania Intermediate Athletic League (WPIAL)
• Coordinate game management to ensure that the Director of Athletics, the Athletics Trainer and Assistant to the Director of Athletics, or if necessary, another WT representative is in attendance at every home athletic event
• Schedule all referees/officials, scorekeepers, and timekeeper for all home games and arrange for their payment
• Ensure transportation is coordinated for both games and practices
• Arrange outside field and facility usage/rental
• Work closely with the Executive Director of Facilities and Renovation, the Director of Buildings and Grounds, and outside contractors to ensure proper maintenance and security of all athletic equipment and facilities, fields, and courts
• Work closely with the Executive Director of Finance and Operations, or designee, to build, administer and monitor the annual athletic budget
• Maintain records of team and individual athletic accomplishments and submit athletic information to the Director of Marketing and Communications for school publications and/or distribution to local media
• Act as the WPIAL/PIAA school representative
• Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team (Head’s Council)
• Demonstrate high professional standards and promote good sportsmanship among student athletes of Winchester Thurston School
• Serve as a representative of WT in the public eye and promote support for the athletic program
• Attend Admission events, Parents of Newly Accepted Students events, Parents’ Nights, and other events to share information and promote the athletics program
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree and 5 – 7 years of coaching experience is required; experience as an athletic director or assistant athletic director and/or with an independent school background is preferred. A strong working knowledge of the sports which WT currently offers. The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal and organizational skills as well as strong written and verbal communication skills. The ability to effectively collaborate, coordinate and manage timely and strategic communication with students, parents, colleagues, coaches, other schools and vendors is required. The individual in this position will have demonstrated experience in problem-solving, managing multiple priorities, meeting deadlines and working independently. The ability to quickly manage and communicate emergent changes to games, schedules, etc. is critical.

Supervisory Responsibility

The incumbent will supervise the Athletics Trainer and Assistant to the Director of Athletics and all coaches and will work in close collaboration with the contracted Athletic Trainer.

Organizational Chart

Head of School; Director of Athletics; Athletics Trainer and Assistant to the Director of Athletics

About Winchester Thurston SChool

Nationally recognized for innovative teaching, Winchester Thurston is a Junior Pre-K through Grade 12 independent school providing a rigorous college preparatory program that prepares students for the challenges of a changing world. Situated within Pittsburgh’s university and cultural center, WT offers exceptional learning experiences in partnership with surrounding resources. Learn more at www.winchesterthurston.org. Consistently named one of America’s most livable cities, Pittsburgh and its region feature distinctive culture, sports, and recreation. Visit: www.visitpittsburgh.com/essentials/ to learn about living in our community.

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