About this role
#366741
• ROCKINGHAM COUNTY SCHOOLS JOB DESCRIPTION HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Department: School-Based Administration Reports To: Principal Supervises: Coaches and assigned athletic personnel FLSA Status: Exempt Position Type: Full-Time Term of Employment: 12 Months Salary: Based on the approved salary schedule GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB The High School Athletic Director provides leadership, administration, supervision, and oversight of the school's comprehensive interscholastic athletic program. The Athletic Director is responsible for the effective day-to-day operation of all athletic programs and activities and ensures that athletics support the educational mission, goals, and expectations of Rockingham County Schools. The Athletic Director provides direct leadership to coaches and athletic personnel and is responsible for athletic program administration, regulatory compliance, student-athlete eligibility, event management, scheduling, safety, facilities, equipment, transportation coordination, budgeting, and communication. The Athletic Director works under the direction of the principal and collaborates with district administration, coaches, student-athletes, families, school personnel, conference officials, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA), and community partners to maintain an athletic program characterized by safety, integrity, sportsmanship, accountability, equity, and excellence. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Athletic Program Leadership and Administration
• Direct and oversee the daily operation of all interscholastic athletic programs at the school.
• Establish and communicate expectations, procedures, and standards for coaches, student-athletes, athletic personnel, and programs consistent with district and school expectations.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive annual athletic calendar.
• Coordinate practices, competitions, tournaments, postseason events, athletic meetings, and other activities.
• Coordinate athletic schedules with coaches, conference representatives, opposing schools, officials, and school administration.
• Provide the principal with regular updates regarding athletic programs, personnel, compliance, safety, facilities, and emerging concerns.
• Evaluate athletic program effectiveness and recommend improvements to the principal.
• Promote a culture of academic achievement, sportsmanship, integrity, respect, and appropriate conduct throughout the athletic program.
Supervision and Leadership of Coaches
• Provide direct supervision, leadership, support, and accountability for head coaches and other assigned athletic personnel.
• Establish clear performance and professional expectations for coaches.
• Conduct regular meetings with head coaches and athletic staff.
• Monitor athletic practices, competitions, programs, and coaching performance.
• Assist coaches in developing effective and appropriately organized athletic programs.
• Address performance, conduct, communication, and program concerns involving coaches in accordance with district procedures.
• Document concerns involving coaching performance or conduct and promptly communicate significant personnel matters to the principal.
• Participate in the evaluation of coaches in accordance with district procedures.
• Assist the principal and Human Resources with the recruitment, screening, interviewing, recommendation, assignment, and retention of qualified coaches.
• Make recommendations to the principal regarding coaching assignments and continued coaching appointments.
• Ensure coaches complete all required certifications, professional development, safety training, and other prerequisites before performing assigned coaching duties.
• Support the professional development of coaches and promote consistent expectations across all athletic programs.
Compliance and Student-Athlete Eligibility
• Ensure the athletic program complies with applicable Rockingham County Schools policies and procedures, NCHSAA regulations, conference requirements, and state requirements.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable athletic rules, regulations, policies, and eligibility requirements.
• Coordinate and verify student-athlete eligibility in collaboration with appropriate school personnel.
• Maintain accurate eligibility records, rosters, participation documentation, physical examination records, consent forms, and other required athletic records.
• Ensure required documentation is completed and verified before students participate in practices or competitions.
• Communicate eligibility requirements and athletic regulations to coaches, student-athletes, and parents/guardians.
• Monitor athletic programs for compliance and promptly investigate or report potential violations.
• Immediately notify the principal of suspected or confirmed violations that may affect student eligibility, program compliance, or the school's standing with the NCHSAA or conference.
Athletic Events and Game Management
• Provide administrative oversight for home athletic contests and other school-sponsored athletic events.
• Develop and implement game-management procedures.
• Coordinate officials, ticket personnel, scorekeepers, clock operators, security, administrators, medical coverage, and other necessary event personnel.
• Ensure appropriate supervision of student-athletes, spectators, and athletic facilities during events.
• Coordinate crowd management, emergency response, parking, facility access, and security procedures.
• Serve as the primary school contact for visiting teams, officials, conference representatives, and other athletic personnel.
• Coordinate conference tournaments, playoff contests, championships, and other special athletic events hosted by the school.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies, disruptions, unsportsmanlike conduct, and other issues occurring during athletic events.
Student-Athlete Health, Safety, and Risk Management
• Provide leadership in establishing and maintaining a safe environment for student-athletes, coaches, spectators, and athletic personnel.
• Ensure coaches understand and implement applicable emergency action plans and safety procedures.
• Ensure compliance with applicable concussion, heat illness, severe weather, return-to-play, emergency response, and other student-athlete safety requirements.
• Collaborate with athletic trainers, school nurses, emergency medical personnel, administrators, and coaches regarding student-athlete health and safety.
• Ensure injuries, accidents, and significant incidents are reported and documented in accordance with district procedures.
• Regularly inspect or coordinate the inspection of athletic facilities and equipment and promptly address or report unsafe conditions.
• Suspend the use of facilities or equipment when an immediate safety concern exists and notify the principal and appropriate district personnel.
• Promote appropriate supervision of student-athletes before, during, and following practices and competitions.
Facilities, Equipment, and Transportation
• Coordinate and oversee the scheduling and use of athletic fields, gymnasiums, stadiums, locker rooms, weight rooms, training areas, and other athletic facilities.
• Develop procedures for the appropriate use, security, and maintenance of athletic facilities.
• Coordinate with maintenance, custodial, and administrative personnel regarding facility preparation, repairs, and improvements.
• Maintain or oversee accurate inventories of athletic uniforms, equipment, and supplies.
• Develop replacement schedules and recommendations for athletic equipment and uniforms.
• Ensure athletic equipment is appropriately maintained, inspected, stored, and secured.
• Coordinate athletic transportation needs with coaches and appropriate district personnel.
• Ensure athletic travel is conducted in accordance with district procedures.
Budget and Financial Management
• Develop and administer the school athletic department budget in collaboration with the principal.
• Monitor athletic expenditures and ensure funds are used appropriately and in accordance with district procedures.
• Review and approve athletic purchasing requests within established authority.
• Coordinate the purchase of uniforms, equipment, supplies, awards, and other athletic program needs.
• Monitor gate receipts, ticket sales, concessions, fundraising, sponsorships, and other athletic-related financial activities to ensure compliance with district financial procedures.
• Maintain appropriate financial records and documentation.
• Assist with identifying long-range athletic program, equipment, and facility needs and developing budget recommendations to address those needs.
Communication, Parent Relations, and Community Engagement
• Serve as the primary administrative contact for the school's athletic program.
• Maintain effective and timely communication with coaches, student-athletes, parents/guardians, administrators, employees, officials, and community stakeholders.
• Communicate schedules, cancellations, changes, eligibility requirements, procedures, expectations, and other important athletic information.
• Address questions and concerns involving athletic programs in a professional and timely manner.
• Facilitate resolution of concerns involving student-athletes, parents/guardians, and coaches when appropriate and refer significant personnel, legal, safety, or disciplinary matters to the principal.
• Promote positive relationships between the athletic department, school, families, and community.
• Collaborate with school and district personnel responsible for communications and public information to recognize student-athletes, teams, coaches, and athletic accomplishments.
• Promote appropriate sportsmanship and spectator behavior at all athletic events.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
• Represent the school at conference, district, regional, and NCHSAA meetings as required.
• Maintain current knowledge of best practices in interscholastic athletic administration.
• Participate in professional development related to athletic leadership and administration.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding student and personnel information.
• Respond to athletic emergencies and significant concerns outside regular working hours when necessary.
• Demonstrate professional conduct, sound judgment, integrity, and ethical leadership.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the principal or Superintendent/designee.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES The employee must possess:
• Comprehensive knowledge of the organization and administration of interscholastic athletic programs.
• Knowledge of NCHSAA rules, regulations, and student eligibility requirements.
• Knowledge of athletic safety, risk management, and emergency procedures.
• Knowledge of effective supervision, coaching, and personnel management practices.
• Strong leadership, organizational, planning, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to supervise, support, and hold coaches and athletic personnel accountable for established expectations.
• Ability to manage multiple athletic programs, schedules, facilities, events, and competing priorities.
• Ability to interpret and consistently apply policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Ability to effectively manage budgets and athletic resources.
• Ability to manage conflict and respond effectively to challenging or sensitive situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents/guardians, coaches, administrators, employees, officials, and community members.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently while remaining accountable to the principal and district administration.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Required:
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Successful professional experience in education, coaching, athletic administration, school administration, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership, supervision, organization, and program management.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and work with students, employees, families, and community stakeholders.
Preferred:
• Master's degree in education, educational leadership, athletic administration, sports management, or a related field.
• Previous experience as a high school Athletic Director, assistant Athletic Director, school administrator, or head coach.
• Experience supervising coaches or athletic personnel.
• Experience administering budgets, athletic facilities, and large-scale athletic events.
• Demonstrated knowledge of NCHSAA rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) or Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA) credential.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must complete all required district, state, and NCHSAA training and certifications applicable to the position.
• Must be available to work a flexible schedule based upon athletic program needs, including frequent evenings, weekends, school breaks, and postseason competitions.
• Must be available to respond to athletic emergencies and significant program concerns as necessary.
• Regular attendance and punctuality are essential functions of this position.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS The position requires the ability to perform work in both office and athletic environments. Duties regularly require walking and standing for extended periods and navigating athletic fields, gymnasiums, stadiums, bleachers, locker rooms, and other facilities. The employee must be able to communicate effectively with students, coaches, employees, parents/guardians, officials, spectators, and emergency personnel and respond appropriately during athletic events and emergency situations. The position may require lifting, carrying, moving, or assisting with athletic equipment and supplies consistent with the physical requirements established by the district. WORKING CONDITIONS Work is performed in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments, including offices, gymnasiums, athletic fields, stadiums, locker rooms, weight rooms, and other athletic facilities. The employee may be exposed to varying temperatures and weather conditions, loud noise, large crowds, and other conditions associated with interscholastic athletic events. Due to the nature of interscholastic athletics, the position requires substantial work outside the traditional school day, including evenings, weekends, school breaks, and postseason events. DISCLAIMER The preceding job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an employee assigned to this position. It is not intended to constitute an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. Rockingham County Schools reserves the right to assign, modify, or remove duties and responsibilities as necessary to meet the operational needs of the school district.