Athletic Director

The Mount Vernon School•Atlanta, GA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Athletic Director reports to the Associate Head of Upper School and is an educational administrator and coach/teacher at the school. S/he develops and supervises the administration of all extra-curricular athletic teams and programs. This role is important because we realize the importance of teamwork, collaboration, physical health, and well-being for our students. Mount Vernon School serves over 1,250 students in Preschool through Grade 12 on its 40-acre Atlanta campus. Grounded in Christian values, Mount Vernon prepares all students to be college-ready, globally competitive, and engaged citizen leaders. Mount Vernon School anchors the Mount Vernon Organization as a destination of inquiry, innovation, and impact. Through MVSO, the online division of our Upper School, and MV Ventures, our research and educational consultancy, our organization is living its mission to design a better world by providing unique and differentiated value for all community members now and into the future. The Program OUR ATHLETICS PURPOSE: MISSION STATEMENT We are a relationship-driven athletic program empowering students to grow and excel through preparation, practice, and performance. OUR ATHLETICS COMMITMENT: VALUES STATEMENT We commit to cultivating an athletic community built on a team-first culture and sustained through empathy, respect, integrity, resilience, excellence, and fun. OUR ATHLETICS APPROACH: COACHING & TRAINING PROGRAM We design competitive programs led by growing, masterful, and passionate coaches who are focused on the skill development, health & well-being, and leadership growth of all student athletes. The Team Relationships are foundational for our athletic teams just as they are in the classroom at Mount Vernon. By prioritizing the connections built between coaches and our student-athletes, we create an environment of support, encouragement, and accountability that allows our students to achieve their athletic goals beyond what they ever imagined for themselves. More than 80% of our Upper and Middle School students participate in athletics. Participating in sports plays a positive role in supporting youth development, leading to improved academic achievement and stronger social and emotional well-being. The Athletic Team works collaboratively to deliver a high-quality experience for students and parents that lives into their team-first culture.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience/certification in athletic administration, physical education, or a related discipline.
At least 5 years of athletic teaching and/or coaching experience.
Experience navigating the rules, eligibility standards, and compliance requirements of interscholastic athletic governing bodies such as GHSA, NIL, or comparable organizations.
Successful track record working with student-athletes, preferably in independent schools.
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with a professional and empathetic approach.
Excellent organizational skills.
Detail-oriented and able to work collaboratively.
High-energy and enthusiastic about working in an academic atmosphere.
Ability to cultivate respectful and affirming environments.
Culturally proficient & equity literate.
A track record of giving high-quality, responsive feedback.
Ability to design moments and empower teams.
Effective at coaching and developing talent.
Possesses an ethic of excellence, quality, accuracy, and professionalism.
Proficiency in Google Suite & Mac/Apple OS.

Responsibilities

Develop and supervise the administration of all extra-curricular athletic teams and programs.
Provide safety instruction to students and establish standards of behavior to ensure a productive environment and the optimal condition and safety of all athletic equipment, facilities, fields, and courts.
Review and revise the coaches' manual annually.
Train all coaching staff and volunteers on safety measures, expectations, and standards of protection.
Serve on the Risk Committee for the school.
Provide guidance and direction for the school's sports program.
Attend athletic events for all teams, home and away, as much as possible.
Represent the school at state, regional, and national athletic associations.
Ensure all required paperwork is filed with the region and the Georgia High School Association.
Maintain a thorough understanding of the GHSA Constitution and By-laws, including NIL policies.
Prepare budgets and allocate spending on coaches' stipends, team travel, equipment, facility rental, and facility improvements.
Coordinate with the finance department in a timely manner on all invoicing, fees, and financial matters.
Collaborate with the Executive Team to recruit, evaluate, and hire athletic department staff.
Ensure all coaching positions are filled with competent, properly trained coaches who perform their duties with the highest level of professionalism.
Manage department team members and monitor for quality, experience, and safety.
Supervise the scheduling of all athletic events, arrange transportation, hire game officials, and attend or enlist a school representative for all home games.
Coordinate with coaches on game and practice scheduling.
Determine the allocation of field and gym space to ensure equitable practice time for all teams.
Communicate student conduct or academic concerns to parents and administration.
Report athletic achievements to the Brand division for dissemination to the school and broader community.
Oversee the distribution, collection, storage, cleaning, and repair of all school athletic uniforms.
Coordinate with the Director of Operations to ensure proper facility management.
Assume responsibility for other projects as assigned by the Associate Head of Upper School.
Work with the Mustang Athletic Club (MAC) families to solicit membership and support.
Collaborate with the Chief Brand Officer to protect and enhance the reputation of the program.
Partner with the CGI team and Associate Head of Upper School to support the capital campaign.
Develop and maintain a data dashboard tracking team and individual athletic accomplishments; as well as stakeholder experience.
Be actively present and engaged with the school community, serving as an ambassador for Athletics at grade-level and school-sponsored events.
Serve as the primary escalation point for parent concerns; maintain a transparent feedback loop with all stakeholders to monitor program health and protect program integrity.
Participate in committee, department, and staff meetings.
Ensure all athletes meet GHSA eligibility requirements and have a current physical examination on file.
Build and maintain relationships with schools within the assigned GHSA region.