Head Coach Varsity Offshore Sailing Team

Naval Academy Athletic Association•Annapolis, MD

45d•Onsite

About The Position

The Head Coach is responsible for the coaching, operations, and administration of all aspects of the competitive offshore sailing program within the policies and procedures of the Naval Academy and Naval Academy Athletic Association (NAAA). Offshore Sailing practices and competes during the fall, spring and summer seasons. With a proven 50-year record of winning, the Naval Academy has the largest collegiate offshore sailing fleet in the United States, hosting several Intercollegiate big boat regattas. During the summer, Offshore Sailing focuses on the major east coast ocean races, as well as nationally recognized regattas such as New York Yacht Club’s Race Week at Newport and Block Island Race Week. Additionally, Offshore Sailing represents the Naval Academy at international events. In addition to winning championships and regattas, Offshore Sailing is a cornerstone for small unit teamwork and leadership development at the Naval Academy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Experience working in a coaching environment as well as extensive experience sailing aboard both small and large keelboats (20-50+ feet) with various rig configurations (symmetric and asymmetric spinnakers, overlapping headsails, sprit and conventional spinnaker pole setups) in both inshore buoy racing as well as multi-day distance racing on coastal and offshore waters in a variety of weather conditions, day and night.
Significant offshore sailing experience. Successfully competed on the international and national level in a variety of classes, including participation in large yachts in open ocean races.
Able to handle 16-30’ single and twin outboard-powered coach boats.
Experience in teaching at all levels from novice to advanced sailors.
Use of emerging technology in support of sailboat coaching and racing.
Experience in public speaking to groups of college age adults and older.
Three years’ experience coaching a competitive team, preferably offshore boats.
Sound seamanship judgement and skills.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
Proven time management skills with an ability to meet deadlines.
Keen organizational skills and attention to detail.
Strong analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to function well in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace Software.
Must be eligible to work in the United States of America, without sponsorship.
Must be eligible to work on a military installation, including a willingness to submit to a background screen.
Must possess a valid driver’s license.
Required to obtain Navy small boat “B” qualification, offshore “D” qualification and Navy motorboat qualification within 6 months of hire.

Responsibilities

Serves as a positive role model, mentor, and teacher for team members as well as assistant coaches, volunteer coaches and support staff.
Creates a culture of accountability, professionalism, teamwork, and leadership consistent with the Naval Academy’s mission.
Develops the necessary training material, leads classroom and on-water practice sessions to advance and refine the skills and teamwork necessary to instruct and develop novice sailors to race and win inshore buoy and offshore distance races.
Promotes and instills a culture of safety and professionalism within the team. In partnership with the Vanderstar Chair, Navy Sailing’s safety advisor, ensures the safety of team members, coaches, and volunteers.
Identifies and troubleshoots maintenance and safety concerns including rigging, mechanical, and electrical. Works closely with the maintenance team and Naval Academy Waterfront to ensure boats and equipment are safely maintained.
Assures boats are race ready including maintenance, current rating certificates, race inspections complete, and boats have proper loadout.
Qualifies and serves as Officer-in-Charge/Safety Officer aboard midshipmen-crewed boats.
Monitors and promotes the academic success and personal growth of the team’s student-athletes in partnership with Naval Academy and NAAA staff.
Provides the vision and strategic goals for Offshore Sailing.
Develops, plans and coordinates logistics for Naval Academy-hosted big boat regattas.
Coordinates fall and spring season team travel arrangements and the summer racing schedule with the Director of Competitive Sailing and NAAA.
Supervises and assigns responsibilities to assistant coaches, assigned support staff, and approximately 20 volunteers; evaluates their performance.
Manages and coordinates with NAAA, assistant coach recruiting, onboarding, performance management and professional development. Approves assistant coach time off and leave.
Recruits and screens volunteer coaches in accordance with prescribed policies and procedures. Ensures all volunteers have completed NAAA-mandated onboarding requirements.
Tracks recurring qualification status of all team members, coaches and volunteers, ensuring up-to-date qualifications and administering exams as required.
Works with the Director of Competitive Sailing and NAAA to prepare Offshore Sailing’s annual budget.
Reviews monthly budget summaries and operates within the framework of a balanced budget.
Apprises the NAAA Business Office of all expenditures and commitments to ensure funds are available.
Adheres to all procedures relative to purchasing and travel expenditures, accounting for all funding and final settlements.
Prioritizes requests for all Offshore Sailing NAAA Sustainment Funds expenditures.
Communicates with alumni and Friends of Navy Sailing (FONS) on team activities and scheduled events.
Supervises team social media posts.
Works with the NAAA Development staff to actively promote the Sailing Sustainment and Sailing Excellence funds.
Coordinates with the Naval Academy Sailing Foundation (NASF) regarding potential sailboat donations as well as the maintenance and upkeep of current NASF assets on charter.
Serves on NAAA and Naval Academy committees.
Serves on national and local sailing committees/councils.
Special projects and duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics and/or Director of Competitive Sailing.
Performs other duties as assigned