Job Description
Job Description
Phillips Academy is seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable Director of Track and Field who will be responsible for leading the school’s Indoor and Outdoor track and field program, which encompasses the boys’ and girls’ teams across junior varsity and varsity levels. In recent seasons, this program has supported over 130 student-athletes with a wide range of athletic experiences, aptitudes, and goals.
Schedule:
The indoor track and field season begins in the third season of November and runs through the end of February. The outdoor track and field season begins in the first week of April and runs through the end of May. The Director of Track and Field may also support individual track and field student-athletes who compete at regional or national events outside of the time frame noted above. In addition, the Director would be asked to engage with prospective families/students, college counseling and track and field athletes as necessary throughout the school year and occasionally in summer months.
Key responsibilities include the following:
- Establish and implement a clear program vision that promotes equity, inclusion, belonging, wellness, accountability, and competitive success in line with the mission and values of Phillips Academy.
- Coordinate, collaborate with, and delegate to a staff of ~8-10 assistant coaches to support a large and diverse roster of high school athletes with varying experience levels.
- Design and lead training for one or more event groups. With the current staffing, the director will need to plan all training for the sprints and hurdle event groups through structured workouts, drills, instruction, and feedback.
- Manage meet participation by assigning event entries, registering athletes, and communicating all logistics and travel plans.
- Carefully maintain program records (school, class, facility, and Andover vs. Exeter meet records).
- Handle external team communications, including meet updates for the Andover Athletics webpage, social media activity, and family outreach.
- Partner with Andover’s Athletics Office staff to coordinate program operations and logistics, including facility needs, meet schedules, equipment inventory, and discretionary spending.
- Support student-athletes holistically by communicating with advisors and athletic trainers, tracking attendance, and participating in academic or wellness conversations.
- Serve as a liaison to Admissions and College Counseling offices, responding to inquiries, meeting with prospective athletes, and supporting recruitment.
- Model and ensure cultural competency in all responsibilities regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, social class, sexual orientation, ability, nationality, age, language, or origin.
The strongest applicants will have the following qualifications:
- At least 2 years’ experience coaching track and field in a high school or college setting, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience training in and/or coaching technical and speed/power events (hurdles, sprints etc.).
- Commitment to staying current in and expanding knowledge of coaching techniques as well as the rules of track and field.
- Ability to positively motivate, inspire, and be a role model to students, on and off the track/field.
- Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills to facilitate effective communication with colleagues, students, parents, officials, peer schools’ coaches, faculty and staff across campus, and the public in a positive, empathetic, and professional manner.
- Ability to commit to a Monday-Saturday practice/meet schedule as well as a willingness to support Andover student-athletes at regional/national track and field competitions.
Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter that includes a statement of coaching philosophy. This statement should articulate one’s approach to student-athlete development both in terms of technical growth within the sport of track and field and in supporting the overall physical and mental well-being of adolescents.
Additionally, the coaching philosophy should include a vision for leading and supporting a team of teacher-coaches, as well as their approach to fostering an inclusive, positive, and competitive team culture.
Phillips Academy is an equal opportunity employer. Phillips Academy is an intentionally diverse and inclusive residential community “committed to creating an equitable and inclusive school in which students from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences—including race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, socioeconomic class, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and ability—learn and grow together.” The ideal candidate supports the inclusive and diverse nature of the community. Any offers of employment will be contingent upon successful CORI/SORI, and fingerprinting background checks as well as unrestricted authorization to work in the United States.