Head Cheerleading Coach

About Salem Academy and College

Salem Academy and College is the oldest continuously operating educational institution for girls and women in the country.  Since 1772, the institution has engaged in transformational change to innovate women’s education. Founded with the mission of making education accessible to all, Salem has a rich 251-year-old history and a long-standing track record of educating students who are prepared to make a bold impact locally, nationally and globally through liberal arts education. Our graduates are committed to making the world a better, healthier and more equitable place. Salem College is the nation’s only liberal arts college exclusively dedicated to developing the next generation of health leaders.

Position Summary

Salem College seeks an energetic, strategic, and student-centered professional to serve as Head Cheerleading Coach. This part-time position is responsible for building and leading a competitive cheer program that supports the College’s athletic teams, enhances school spirit, and prepares for intercollegiate cheer competition beginning in the 2027–2028 season.

The Head Cheerleading Coach will oversee all aspects of the program, including recruiting, roster management, academic success, skill development, and campus engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Development & Leadership

• Establish and grow a competitive cheer program aligned with Salem College’s mission and athletics vision.
• Prepare the cheer program for competition beginning in the 2027–2028 season, including skill progression, choreography development, and competition readiness.
• Develop practice plans focused on conditioning, technique, safety, and performance execution.
• Teach and supervise proper stunt technique, progressions, and safety protocols.

Recruiting & Roster Management

• Actively recruit qualified student-athletes to attend Salem College and join the cheer program.
• Collaborate with Admissions to support enrollment goals.
• Maintain a roster size as determined in consultation with the Director of Athletics.
• Conduct clinics, campus visits, and outreach initiatives to build the recruiting pipeline.

Academic Success & Student Development

• Promote academic excellence and monitor team academic progress.
• Maintain a minimum team GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Provide mentorship and academic accountability to student-athletes.
• Support leadership development and character growth among team members.

Campus & Community Engagement

• Ensure cheerleader presence at major campus events, including athletic contests, admissions events, alumni gatherings, and institutional celebrations.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to enhance visibility and branding of the cheer program.
• Serve as an ambassador for Salem College within the campus and local community.

Compliance & Administration

• Ensure compliance with institutional, conference, and NCAA (if applicable) policies.
• Manage program budget in coordination with the Director of Athletics.
• Coordinate uniforms, and equipment.
• Collaborate with Director of Sport Information, Communication and Marketing for music, athletic website updates regarding Cheerleading
• Collaborate with Athletic Training staff regarding practice, treatment times for cheerleading.
• Maintain CPR/AED 
• All other duties assigned by Director of Athletics

Required Qualifications 

·  Bachelor’s degree 

· Demonstrated experience coaching cheerleading at the high school, collegiate, or competitive level.

·  Proven ability to teach and supervise stunting and tumbling safely.

·  Strong recruiting and relationship-building skills.

·  Commitment to academic excellence and student development.

Physical Functions 

While performing the responsibilities of the Head Cheerleading Coach, the employee is required to sit for varying lengths of time; bend, reach, lift, push, and pull up to 25 pounds; occasionally stand, walk, and kneel and regularly ascend/descend stairs; use hands and fingers to handle or feel and manipulate keys on a keyboard; perform extended periods of work at a computer workstation, view a computer monitor; perceive sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and receive detailed information through oral communication; express and exchange ideas by means of spoken word; and work in an office setting.

For questions, please contact Michael Williams, Athletic Director at michael.williams@salem.edu

Salem College is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.