Associate Head Coach, Cross Country& Track & Field Distance Coach

UMass Boston•Boston, MA

About The Position

The Associate Head Coach, Cross Country/Track and Field – Distance is a full-time, 12-month, benefits-eligible position at UMass Boston. In collaboration with the Head Coach, the position manages the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track and Field programs and oversees cross-country, distance, and middle-distance athletes. Responsibilities span coaching and program operations, recruiting, budgeting, competition scheduling and meet management, team travel, academic monitoring, student-athlete advising and development, alumni engagement, fundraising, community service, and compliance with NCAA, conference, and University regulations. The role may also include department-wide duties and a secondary assignment determined by the Vice Chancellor of Athletics & Recreation according to the candidate’s credentials and expertise. The Associate Head Coach is responsible for maintaining a positive, diverse, and inclusive student-athlete environment consistent with the NCAA Division III philosophy. The role supports student-athletes’ athletic, academic, personal, and career development, works with athletics, academic, sports medicine, and performance staff, and helps ensure student-athlete health and safety. The position also contributes to department-wide activities, meetings, events, and fundraising. A successful Registry of Motor Vehicles background check may be required to drive passenger vans for team travel; the position requires a valid driver’s license and a good driving record.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
College coaching experience.
Ability to reach and work effectively with diverse communities and constituents.
Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and ability to drive vans to and from contests and practices; the license must remain valid throughout employment.
Ability to pass the NCAA Division III Rules Test annually, CPR/AED certification, and Mental Health First Aid requirements, as stated for the coaching role.
Application requires a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Collegiate cross-country and distance coaching experience.
Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and coach student-athletes at the scholastic or collegiate level.
Previous collegiate playing experience and understanding of NCAA and Little East Conference bylaws, rules, and regulations.
Knowledge and experience managing fundraising activities.
Ability to plan, design, and implement distance workouts in an urban setting.
Knowledge of sport-specific skills, techniques, and strategies and ability to apply and teach them.
Demonstrated success recruiting qualified student-athletes at the collegiate level.
Ability to identify and pursue professional-development opportunities.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Strong commitment to customer service.

Responsibilities

Manage the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track and Field programs in collaboration with the Head Coach, with oversight of cross-country, distance, and middle-distance athletes.
Create and sustain a positive, diverse, and inclusive team environment that supports student-athletes’ academic, athletic, personal, and career development consistent with the NCAA Division III philosophy.
Maintain and develop sport-specific training and coaching knowledge, techniques, and strategies for intercollegiate competition.
Plan practices and meets, support skill development and competition strategies, and ensure practices follow UMass Boston and NCAA time requirements.
Coordinate team travel and logistics, including vehicles, lodging, and meals, and adhere to departmental purchasing and travel procedures.
Develop a competitive, NCAA-approved schedule within the athletic department’s financial limits and coordinate practice-facility scheduling.
Work with sports medicine, sport performance, and strength and conditioning staff to support student-athlete health, safety, injury prevention, performance, and return to play.
Conduct annual student-athlete evaluations and provide mentorship, conflict-management support, and education on topics such as drug abuse, domestic violence, hazing, and social media.
Assist the Head Coach with hiring and overseeing assistant coaches; provide team statistics and related materials to the Assistant AD for Sport Communication.
Define budget needs with the Head Coach, including equipment, travel, uniforms, and personnel; assist with fundraising and alumni engagement, including communications and departmental activities.
Manage team social media accounts in accordance with university and department policies.
Maintain knowledge of NCAA, conference, and institutional rules; complete applicable compliance requirements and report alleged violations.
Manage team and resources in accordance with Title IX and UMass Boston Risk Management procedures; communicate with Sports Medicine regarding student-athlete health and safety.
Recruit academically qualified student-athletes, develop recruiting strategies, travel to recruiting events as appropriate, coordinate prospective-student visits, maintain the recruiting database, and coordinate with Enrollment Management.
Monitor student-athlete academic progress and performance, support progress toward degree and graduation, meet with the athletics academic advisor, help develop academic plans and balanced schedules, and ensure student-athletes notify faculty of competition schedule changes.
Build relationships with faculty and participate in Athletics Faculty Advisors/Relations programming.
Work with the Deputy Athletic Director for Strategic Advancement on fundraising and alumni-engagement planning; develop fundraising programs, maintain alumni communications, organize community-centered activities, and identify community-service opportunities.
Participate in campus and department collaboration, committees, and colleague mentoring; attend staff, division-wide, and conference-required meetings and university and department events.
Perform administrative and other duties as assigned, including a secondary assignment that may involve game-day management, event programming, or marketing.