The Taft School

Director of Athletics and Afternoon Program

This is an excellent opportunity to work with students from around the world, to gain valuable experience at a leading independent school, as well as to live and work in a supportive professional environment.

The Taft School seeks a full-time Director of Athletics and Afternoon Program for a July 1, 2021 start.

The director is responsible for the organization and execution of the entirety of the afternoon program, a component of the school that is central to the experience of the student and also plays a fundamental role in the identity and wellbeing of the community. Successful candidates will provide visionary leadership for a complex and broad-based set of reports and a diverse array of co-curricular activities. The director will also serve as an ambassador for the school to both the independent school, as well as the local, community.  

The Director of Athletics and Afternoon Program reports to the Assistant Head of School and the Dean of Faculty. They participate on an ad hoc basis on the Senior Administrative Team and on a permanent basis with the dean’s planning group.

Core qualifications include a demonstrated commitment to the tenets described in the school’s Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Portrait of the Graduate; a master’s degree and at least five years of relevant experience are preferred; as is a deep interest in joining a residential community that serves a diverse student body.

Responsibilities include the following:

• Coordination of the athletic events, scheduling, transportation, facilities, outdoor athletics spaces, and equipment.

• Facilitate student enrollment process for interscholastic sports; theatre co-curricular activities; academic co-curricular activities, such as film and debate; and the intramural program.

• Collaborate with the dean of faculty’s office on faculty afternoon assignments and hiring.

• Supervise, evaluate and develop coaches and program directors in their duties and responsibilities.

• Supervise and evaluate the athletics staff that comprises 20+ employees.

• Lead the Athletics Committee and the Afternoon Program Exemption Group to set policies for the athletic department and afternoon program.

• Represent the school at all Founders League, Western New England, and NEPSAC Athletic Directors meetings.

• Support the collaboration between head varsity coaches and the admissions office.

• Report to the dean of faculty and head of school on changes within the afternoon program.

• Direct supervisor for the Assistant Athletic Director.

• Work closely with the business office, an athletics administrative assistant, equipment manager, head of facilities, athletic trainers, athletics staff, and the director of grounds.

Qualifications:

• Ability to inspire others around a compelling vision.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships with administrators, students, faculty, alumni, and parents.

• Sound judgment, awareness, and sensitivity to the interests and concerns of a diverse student and faculty community.

• Demonstrated experience of collaborative work with students, faculty, and administrators, and other campus offices to support and expand programmatic and institutional goals.

• Tremendous work ethic and the ability to prioritize, execute, and complete projects. Proactive, creative analytical, and problem-solving skills. Strong organizational abilities.  

• Flexibility, resilience, integrity, a sense of humor, and enjoyment of working with adolescents.

• An appreciation of what a boarding school community offers to its students and how the residential program of the School informs and influences the program.  

Additional Notes:

• The Athletic Director will be fully involved in the life of the school and contribute to a variety of programmatic areas.

• In lieu of an evening assignment, the Athletic Director will be directly responsible for evening and weekend supervision of sporting events and/or usage of athletics facilities.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package that includes on-campus housing.

• Tuition remission and portable tuition.

• Robust professional development funding.

• Full health, dental, and eye care benefits.

• TIAA-CREF school contribution.

Candidates for this position should email a PDF copy of their resume and a brief cover letter to deanoffaculty@taftschool.org and also complete the online application at www2.taftschool.org/employment/faculty.

The Taft School is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer in accordance with regulations adopted by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. It is the policy of The Taft School to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals.