Athletic Director

Position Title: Athletic Director

Reports to: Head of School

Employment Status: Full-Time Benefit Eligible

FLSA Classification: Exempt

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Walker School is seeking an energetic, inspirational and organized professional to serve as Athletic Director. Walker embraces the vital role athletics plays in developing the whole child and enriching school culture. Athletics promotes teamwork, perseverance, time management skills, and character development for student-athletes and serves as a point of pride for the entire school community. Walker has more than 50 teams in 16 sports, with the opportunity to play team sports beginning in the 5th grade. Nearly 70 percent of Middle and Upper School students play at least one sport each year, and over 30 percent will play more than one sport. Given the size of Walker, multi-sport participation is encouraged, even as specialization has become more prevalent in youth sports.

QUALIFYING CHARACTERISTICS

The ideal candidate will be a results-oriented leader who can work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues to meet Athletics’ Department goals. The candidate will have well-developed interpersonal skills and feel comfortable cultivating relationships with student, faculty, parent and staff constituents to enhance Walker programs in line with Walker’s mission. As a key member of leadership, Walker’s Athletic Director will be a role model for fostering an overall love of sports through positive encouragement and support while continuously positioning the program for competitive success. The Athletic Director will provide strategic leadership and vision to build an athletics program that is perennially competitive and will tirelessly promote overall participation and development. Areas of focus include coaching, strength and conditioning, training, sports information, and athletic operations and budgeting. In addition, the candidate should have a record of successfully recruiting, training, and managing coaches and other staff members from diverse backgrounds. The candidate should be committed to The Walker School’s mission and values and be willing to serve as an ambassador for the school both internally and externally.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Reporting directly to the Head of School and serving as a member of the Senior Administrative Team, the Athletic Director enthusiastically oversees and coordinates all athletic-related activities on a daily basis at Walker while also providing a long-term, strategic vision for athletics at the school. The primary roles of the Athletic Director will be the hiring of talented and properly trained coaches, identifying and supporting professional development opportunities, and maintaining accountability to cultural and performance expectations. The Athletic Director will work closely with and supervise the Athletic Administrative Team, coaches and volunteer coaching staff to build a stronger feeder program for the Middle School teams and for varsity sports as part of Walker’s athletic vision. Walker is committed to fielding strong teams in all sports while competing with great spirit and demonstrating exemplary sportsmanship. Daily responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Departmental budgeting and purchase processing
• Mentorship, development and evaluation of coaches
• Review and enforcement of safety protocols
• Faculty liaison for academics
• Ensuring game schedules are submitted, published and confirmed in a timely manner
• Student-Athlete registration and connection with coaches
• Booster Club board member and liaison to the athletic department
• Game management
• Officials scheduling
• Uniform purchase and apparel approval

CORE QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have a Master’s degree and a minimum of five years of previous Director-level experience in a multidivisional school, along with five or more years of experience as a coach. The candidate must be experienced and masterful with conflict resolution within a school athletic culture. This position will demand dedication, a positive attitude, and a high level of time and energy to thrive.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• High emotional intelligence and exceptional interpersonal skills
• Cultural competence and respect for the infinite worth and dignity of all individuals
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organization and careful attention to detail
• Entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach to problem-solving
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills
• Flexibility and capacity to handle conflict with empathy and grace

SCHOOL DESCRIPTION

The Walker School is a leader among independent schools in the metro Atlanta area and has long been recognized for its first-rate academic program, close relationships between students and faculty, and abundant opportunities for students to engage in meaningful experiences both in and out of the classroom. Walker enrolls students from Pre-K3 through Grade 12 and is open to all faiths. Our commitment to diversity provides a welcoming and safe atmosphere for students to discover who they are and to successfully navigate an ever-changing world. The Walker School is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. The best candidates will be able to demonstrate a proven commitment to working in diverse, multicultural settings.

SALARY and BENEFITS

The Walker School’s salary and benefits are competitive and include medical, vision, and dental insurance, tuition remission, and a retirement plan through TIAA-CREF.

Interested applicants must complete the online application on the Careers Page at www.thewalkerschool.org/about/careers.