Description

Job Title: Dean of Athletics (11 months) 

Reports To: Director of Development

FLSA Status: Exempt

Department: Middle School/Athletics 

Hours: Full-time; schedule varies based on athletics program needs

Summary: The Dean of Athletics supports the overall design of an inclusive and dynamic athletics program that serves as a center of excellence for student engagement and character development. The Dean of Athletics manages all logistical and administrative functions required for the safe and seamless implementation of the School’s athletics programming. This includes growing program participation, promoting athletics teams, hiring and onboarding exemplary coaches, mentoring student-athletes, and maintaining partnerships with athletics league directors. The Dean of Athletics will join the Advancement leadership team and play an active role on the marking and communications team to tell the story of Dawson’s student-athletes. Visibility at athletics events and stewardship of parent partnerships are essential components of this role, as the Dean of Athletics isthe main point of contact for family concerns and questions. With approximately 80 percent of our Middle Schoolers involved in athletics, the program is a key driver of student recruitment and retention; therefore, the Dean of Athletics must possess a commitment to fostering students’ sense of belonging and providing a high-quality student experience.

Qualifications

Athletics Programming & Coordination

• Act as the School’s representative and facilitate strong relationships with athletics leagues, conferences, and other community partners

• Be a visible and Mission-centered athletics administrator with a record of prioritizing the changing needs of student-athletes

• Schedule all 5th-8th grade contests for the School's teams, coordinate officials, ensure field and gym preparation, welcome visiting teams, and facilitate all appropriate game-day planning

• Oversee the distribution of, collection, storage upkeep, and replacement of all school athletics uniforms and equipment for student-athletes and coaches

• Monitor/manage athletics email account to build positive and caring relationships with parents. Communicate regularly about team goals and program progress, handle issues with honesty, and remain responsive to concerns related to the after-school athletics program

• Work closely with program coordinators to align team practice schedules, pep rallies, tournaments, and any other athletics event with the School’s calendar 

• Work closely with the School Nurse to collect Sports Physicals, Concussion Protocol Forms, and other documents as required

• Manage athletics budget for stipends, league fees, equipment, uniforms, and other expenses

• Plan, execute, and promote championship games, awards ceremonies, and celebratory events in recognition of our athletics team accomplishments 

• Forge collaborative partnerships with local high schools to provide comprehensive support for the student-athlete transition to high school, encompassing academic and athletics readiness 

Personnel Management

• Partner with the Director of Talent Acquisition for the hiring of all coaches, specifically interviewing candidates and conducting reference checks

• Approach tasks collaboratively with an organizational and communications mindset to build relationships within Dawson and the great community

• Create a coaches manual/handbook and conduct new hire training for the onboarding of new coaches that shares the importance of relationship building through clear, concise, and ongoing communication with families as the team’s main point of contact

• Build a strategic framework for recruiting high-caliber coaches from around the valley by building a network and forecasting needs early in the year

• Communicate with Payroll & HR to ensure authorized stipend payments are recorded and paid

• Partner with Advisors and MS Head to support student-athletes who might need more support with balancing academics and athletics

• Create and implement clear policies that are communicated to parents, students, and faculty about students in danger or failing or disciplinary issues

• Introduce new coaches to the Dawson community 

• Oversee the Athletics Support Specialist

Marketing & Communications and Development:

• Collaborate with the Communications Manager for family communication about upcoming athletic program options and information points to include in the School’s weekly Bears’ Bulletin and the Dawson magazine

• Team up with the Marketing and Digital Content Manager to create a strategic Marketing plan for Athletics

• Demonstrate the ability to think strategically while working on the Advancement team and with members of the executive team, including but not limited to the Divisional directors, Admissions and Alumni teams

• Gather game/match recaps and highlights from coaches to share with the Dawson community

• Partner with Marketing and Digital Content Manager to utilize digital media platforms to showcase the athletics teams and build brand recognition in the larger Las Vegas community

• Create hype videos for athletics teams and social media posts that highlight the School’s athletics program 

• Partner with Marketing and Communications to create content assets, web pages, registration forms, email notifications, and other program-related materials Communicate with families and the larger Dawson community about athletics offerings and how Dawson ensures athletics is a center of excellence for the School

• Assist the Director of Development with fundraising initiatives directly affiliated with the athletics program 

School Program: 

• Plan and coordinate pep rallies, spirit days, and bear nights; collaborate with the Health & Fitness team and Division Heads in the successful execution of these events

• Attend Bears’ Briefings, Teacher Academy, and School events

• Collaborate with the BASE Enrichment team to design engaging, skills-development after-school athletics classes for our Lower Schoolers that create a funnel for the Middle School athletics program

Competency:

• Adaptability – Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events

• Attendance/Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time

• Confidentiality – Maintains confidential information

• Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; solicits customer feedback to improve service

• Dependability – Keeps commitments

• Ethics – Treats people with respect; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values

• Interpersonal – Ability to form substantive and productive relationships with a wide variety of people

• Judgment – Exhibits sound and accurate judgment

• Oral Communication – Excellent verbal communication skills; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions

• Written Communication - Communicates clearly, specific to the audience and in a timely and accurate fashion

• Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures

• Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently

• Problem Solving – Uses reason, even when dealing with emotional topics

• Professionalism – Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position

• Project Management – Ability to manage multi-task projects across functions, including follow up and control of issues

• Professionalism – Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position

• Teamwork - Ability to work independently and in teams; contributes to building a positive team spirit

• Values – Uphold the values and Core Values of The Alexander Dawson School

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in marketing or communications with emphasis on digital media, promotion of a program, and cultivation of brand awareness

• Deep commitment to Dawson’s educational and athletics philosophies, Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Diversity Statement

• Bachelor’s degree; preferred three to five years of experience in a school, athletics department, or camp setting

• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as required 

• Proven ability to effectively manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision and work in an environment subject to frequent interruptions

• Experience and skill working with technology: Google Suite, databases, graphic design, websites and social media content creation

• Outstanding organizational skills, attention to detail, time management skills, and the ability to prioritize tasks

• Ability to multitask and read/edit content for accuracy and details

• Ability to manage and lead staff

• Experience managing a budget 

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds