Director of Athletics

Title: Director of Athletics

Department/Location:   Principia College Athletics Department, Elsah, Illinois

Reporting Relationship:  Reports to the College President and serves on the Senior Leadership Team and College Cabinet. Works closely with Academics, Admissions and Recruiting, Advancement, Alumni & Field Relations, Facilities, Financial Aid, Marketing and Communications, Spiritual Life, and Student Life, including International Student Programs and Services Office, and Christian Science Nursing.

Position Type: Full-Time, 12-Month

Summary: 

The Director of Athletics provides leadership and vision in the strategic development and execution of the College athletic programs, embracing the Division III philosophy that balances athletic participation and student success.  The Director is responsible for the leadership and strategy; program oversight, and the management, operations and administration of all aspects of intercollegiate athletics, club sports, and physical education program consistent with Principia’s mission, policies, and procedures to ensure a vibrant, mission-driven, values-aligned, and student-centered athletic experience. 

Who We Are

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of Alumni & Friends. 

At Principia College, our globally-focused curriculum honors diverse perspectives and develops creative changemakers who use their academic skills for good in service to themselves, their communities, and the world. In-depth study meets real-world experience through study abroad programs, internships, capstone projects, and a robust slate of student activities, including a world-renowned mediation team, top-ranked solar car team, and the nation’s oldest student-run public affairs conference.

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Work Performed - Essential Duties*: 

Leadership and Strategy

• Effectively leads the Athletics Department through vision and strategic planning 
• Creates and maintains an environment that prioritizes character, sportsmanship, and civility
• Emphasizes and ensures student/athletic/academic balance
• Represents the Athletics Department both internally and externally
• Serves on the Conference/NCAA/Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
• Cultivates alumni and donor support
• Fosters a culture of trust, accountability, and collaboration
• Maintains pro-active and collaborative communication and builds/maintains strong relationships with key stakeholders and departments including Academics, Admissions and Recruiting, Advancement, Alumni & Field Relations, Facilities, Financial Aid, Marketing and Communications, Spiritual Life, and Student Life, including International Student Programs and Services Office, and Christian Science Nursing

Program Oversight

• Provides oversight of coaches to ensure strategic alignment with recruiting student athletes and in close collaboration with College Admissions and Recruiting Policies and Guidelines
• Maintain safety and wellbeing across all programs, emphasizing spiritual solutions in response to challenges.
• Ensures compliance with HLC, Title IV and Title IX, SLIAC, NCAA, and conference regulations
• Implements Physical Education curriculum, staffing, and assessment

Management, Operations, and Administration 

• Responsible for hiring, training, professional development, and evaluation of all athletics staff 
• Works closely with Facilities, Advancement, and the Senior Leadership Team members on strategic and master planning for the athletic operations and facilities
• Ensures the successful execution of events and operations of Crafton Center, Hay Field House, Hexberg Tennis Center, Track House, game fields, practice fields and outdoor courts, and Clark Field and Track
• Develops and manages athletics budgets including general and special accounts, sport-specific budgets, and Gold and Blue Fund
• Collaborates effectively with Academic Services regarding the academic progress of student-athletes
• Collaborates with Admissions, Academic Services, Student Life, and Spiritual Life regarding support for students and retention
• Responsible for positive intercollegiate relations including schedules, public communication, and sports information
• Assesses athletics programs and utilizes data and feedback to improve the institutional athletic and community experience

To perform this job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Inspires respect and trust; Accepts feedback from others; Provides vision and inspiration to peers and team members; Gives appropriate recognition to others; Leads from a deep understanding of and commitment to Christian Science
• Strategic Thinking and Planning - Develops and implements vision aligned with college mission and resources; adapts strategy to changing conditions
• Community Building - Creates a welcoming, principled, and harmonious athletics environment
• Student Development - Supports the whole student— intellectually, socially, morally, spiritually, and physically 
• Managing People - Provides regular performance feedback; develops team members' skills and encourages growth; provides staff with professional development opportunities
• Resilience and Adaptability - Navigates challenges with calm, spiritual poise, and flexibility
• Oral and Written Communication - Effectively communicates with diverse stakeholders across campus and beyond; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Writes clearly and informatively
• Inclusion - Demonstrates awareness and respect for cultural differences, actively seeks to understand diverse perspectives, and supports cross-cultural interactions. Fosters an inclusive environment where individuals of all backgrounds feel valued and respected.
• Ethical Stewardship - Upholds integrity, transparency, and wise use of resources.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Student of Christian Science
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements
• Bachelor’s degree; master’s degree preferred 
• Experience in the field of athletics, recruiting, senior leadership, and facilities management 
• Demonstrated effectiveness in culture building, leading teams, and managing operations
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a collaborative leadership style.
• Previous college coaching experience, preferred
• Member of professional athletics associations, preferred

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia. 

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary range for this position: $127,713-$154,692 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes:

• Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded). 
• Relocation: Principia provides a relocation imbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles
• Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more. 

Equal Opportunity 

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status. 

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.