Director Athletics and Student Activities

Job Description

The Director of Athletics and Student Activies will:

• Lead and manage the operational success of all athletic programs, student activities and club programs at all high school campuses as a member of the executive leadership team.
• Schedule and coordinate athletic practices and events, including operational personnel, facilities, transportation and officials.
• Work directly with the Executive Director of Athletics & Student Activities and Executive Principal of Alexandria City High School on strategic initiatives, growth of program, financial management and district wide student activities oversight.
• Develop and expand the program and subsequent management through demonstrating the capacity to design, coordinate, and execute quality controls for all facets of school activities to ensure alignment with the instructional program and school's operations.
• Contribute to the educational growth and preparation of students to be responsible citizens by developing processes that monitor student's academic status and provide resources to help them be successful.
• Create and encourage professional development programs to ensure that the coaching staff acquires the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to meet the changing needs of students and society.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's in related area; Master's degree in job-related area (such as education, leadership, organizational management, sports marketing, business marketing) preferred.

Certificates & Licenses: (Preferred, but not Required): Valid Virginia Department of Education license, or eligibility to obtain one, with an endorsement in Administration and Supervision perferred.

Experience:

• Possess 5 to 7 years of management or partnership management in a non-profit or municipal sector.
• Able to build department-level strategic plans.
• Demonstrate leadership and supervisory experience necessary to work effectively with students, teachers, administrators, families, and community members.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic Planning: The DSA will show a strong commitment to equity, as outlined in the ACPS strategic plan goals, through supporting and expanding student athletics, activities, and events at ACHS-King Street Campus and Minnie Howard. The DSA will develop a multi-year strategy and be able to track and communicate the progress and involvement of students, staff, community groups, such as parent boosters, stipend leaders, and other stakeholders. Strong partnership or organization management skills are required to promote and expand the public participation and community investment in the ACPS athletic and academic programs. The DSA will implement and maintain consistent processes to monitor school attendance, wellness, and academics of student athletes to ensure that they receive appropriate support and assistance to ensure their academic success

• Organization and Administration: The DSA is responsible for overseeing the organization of the entire athletic department. The primary job is creating internal communication and management structures to observe, support, and manage coaches, staff liaisons, and community volunteers. The responsibilities also include hiring and managing full-time employees and stipend employees. They will ensure programs demonstrate growth by maintaining relationships with booster clubs, community groups, and partnerships. The DSA will enforce all VHSL and Commonwealth requirements and ensure that these requirements are reflected in the ACPS Board policies and ACPS progress indictors.

• Facility Management and Maintenance: The DSA is responsible for the usage and oversight of the safety of the sports facilities. Depending on the facility, the DSA is to enforce the rules/regulations in regards to,dress code, reservation practices, and equipment maintenance. The DSA is responsible for the management of scheduling to ensure that each team, club, or community organization gets the proper amount of practice and play time.

• Staff Hiring and Management: The DSA is essentially the head of the athletics and activities department, and is in charge of the human resources aspects for the volunteer, stipend, and salaried individuals. This includes working closely with the central office Human Resources Department in the hiring of new staff and the growth of the current staff. The DSA ensures the continued monitoring and benchmarking of the staff performance, job satisfaction, and the effectiveness of their roles in the community of their sport or activity. This includes being responsible for employee reviews and management as outlined by the ACPS policies.

• Funding and Budget: The ACPS programs are funded on an annual basis. The DSA will be expected to participate in the management and development of the athletic department funds. This includes promoting fair, equitable and competitive stipends and advocacy for new or existing positions; a cycle of replacement for gear, materials, and uniforms; any facility upkeep issues; and the funding for covering all transportation costs for team competitions. It is the duty of the DSA to oversee the budget and allocate funds within the perimeters of the ACPS policies. The DSA needs to have a keen eye for accounting to ensure that funds are used according to need and within the confines of Title IX.

• Marketing and Public Relations: The DSA is the leader of communicating and promoting the needs and successes of the department through the approved ACPS communication channels. The DSA is responsible for overseeing the regular communication practices with stakeholders in coordination with the guidance provided by the ACPS Department of Communications. This includes developing and overseeing a strategy for managing the day-to-day social media, website content management, all paper-based communications, video, and any graphic or digital communication components of the department's program accounts. The long-term goals of the communication strategy are to promote positive coverage for all activities and to find ways to proactively maximize involvement of all stakeholders locally and regionally. The DSA will work with coaches and other stakeholders to implement communication strategies aligning with the departmental vision and guiding principles.

• Partnerships and Grants. The DSA is expected to foster positive relationships with external partners and organizations, especially with the City of Alexandria committees and departments. The DSA will work with the Director of Community Partnerships and Engagement to identify opportunities to maximize support for current and emerging programs. The DSA will be expected to develop a multi-year plan to proactively position ACPS programs for grants, scholarships, and sponsors. The DSA is responsible for developing efforts to involve and grow alumni support, thorough programs such as, the ACPS Hall of Fame, class reunions, and other opportunities that arise.

• Leadership. The DSA will demonstrate integral and ethical standards for professionalism, leadership, and decision making. The DSA will implement an inspiring vision for the future Alexandria City High School and students. The DSA is a creative problem solver and able to multitask. As a leader of leaders, coaches, staff and volunteers, the DSA must lead by example and be able to build collaboration within and among various stakeholders.

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

• Assumes a leadership role in all facets of school program management and coordination, including emerging programs and best practices in adherence of the ACPS mission and goals.

• Designs and works collaboratively with staff to ensure the effectiveness of ongoing and job embedded professional development programs and practices.

• Participates in the hiring process and evaluation processes of all coaching staff, assistant directors of athletics and middle school sports coordinators.

• Prepares and maintains the budget for program implementation, professional development, partnership contributions, and facilities and equipment maintenance.

• Creates a 360 feedback method to staff, student, and other stakeholders through both formal and informal observations designed to ensure the effectiveness of program areas.

• Provides ongoing leadership to support the achievement of goals articulated in the ACPS strategic plan and benchmark metrics specified in the ACPS Education Plan.

• Serves as liaison to all staff members to ensure their understanding of ACPS policies and regulations related to all aspects of the Activities office's work.

• Serves in the key role of developing and executing an overall strategy for communications for the department, including collaborating on planning staff and activities meeting agendas and promoting the ACPS Activities Department as spokesperson on various communications initiatives for the school division.

• Serves as the Division representative and attends all District, Regional, and State Athletic Association meetings.

• Assists the Executive Principal and Executive Director with such other tasks and assumes other responsibilities as may be required to ensure an efficient and effective work environment.

• Ensures ACPS complies with all VHSL, Federal and State laws, rules and regulations and enforces these with all coaches and staff.

Clearances:

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.
• Tuberculosis Skin Test.

Public Health Compliance

• Must follow safety and health protocols.

WP