Gould Academy Seeks Athletic Director

Athletic Director

What distinguishes Gould from traditional boarding schools is its approach to the “whole person.” Gould Academy, located in Western Maine, is a highly respected, small, co-educational, independent boarding school of 200+ students in grades Eight through Post Graduate. We are seeking someone to lead our entire athletic and co-curricular program, inclusive of all sports and co-curricular programs. The Athletic Director will develop and uphold the mission and philosophy of the department that will be consistent with the mission, vision and values of the school.

The Athletic Director promotes a strong community and culture that exemplifies a respectful, inclusive and dynamic environment where adolescents can learn, grow and flourish. The director plays a central role in enriching the overall student experience. As a result the ideal candidate must enjoy working with adolescents and be inclusive, strategic and collaborative both with internal departmental staff as well as the entire school community.

The Athletic Director provides administrative direction, promotion and oversight for all athletics and co-curricular programs and activities, supervises the coaches and program leaders, oversees scheduling, prepares and oversees budget, oversees and manages athletic facilities. They lead in all athletic and co-curricular programs by actively promoting Gould’s goals for student growth in the five domains of knowledge, performance, healthy relationships with others, sense of self, and sound decision-making. This administrative direction includes overseeing the internal and external publication of sporting events, sporting data, results, and Web calendar management.

Relationships

Works closely with the all coaches and activity leaders, Gould health staff, faculty program leaders, Communications staff, Department Chairs, Director of Buildings & Grounds and the maintenance staff, students and parents, support staff and business office, Athletic Directors at peer schools, pertinent members of athletic organizations and leagues. Gould is affiliated with (MAISAD, NEPSAC and MPA), game officials, and various vendors for athletic uniforms and equipment.

Essential Qualities of Employment

• Relevant knowledge and skill in their area of expertise
• Creative, life-long learner who seeks to constantly evolve and expand their knowledge base
• Student-centric
• Selfless team player and intrinsically motivated
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Tech savvy
• Responsible and trustworthy; exhibits good judgment
• Possesses strong moral values that are aligned with Gould’s
• Seeks joy and inspires others through their actions and words
• Adheres to policies and expectations articulated in the Employee Handbook and has a strong understanding of their roles (teacher, advisor, coach, community life duties) as stated in the Code of Conduct and Community Guide

Essential Duties and Responsibilities for Organizational Structure:

• Oversees and guides the multiple facets of the athletic and co-curricular programming at Gould
• Collaborates closely with the Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning, members of the Program Team in the daily organizational operations, management and care of the school
• Supervises the Assistant Athletic Director, coaches and program leaders
• Serves on the Program Team; attends weekly meetings, engages actively in all discussions and initiatives, represents the interests of coaching staff and student leaders, shares pertinent athletic and co-curricular information
• Represents student-athletes and their best interests at Program Team and other such meetings
• Collaborates with coaches and the Admissions staff in the recruitment and retention of student athletes
• Collaborates with Communications regarding publicity and reporting of athletic events and results
• This administrative direction includes overseeing the internal and external publication of sporting events, sporting data, results, and Web calendar management.
• Collaborates with the On-Snow Program regarding shared program responsibilities
• Collaborates with Gould Health Services and the athletic trainer to continually assess and develop standards, protocols and best practices of health and safety
• Works closely with the athletic trainer to ensure delivery of quality services to athletes (game coverage, support training room needs, etc)
• Represents Gould at all MAISAD, NEPSAC and MPA meetings, and maintain a thorough knowledge of league policies & regulations
• Maintains relationships with athletic directors at other schools

Administrative/Management Responsibilities:

•  Coordinates all logistics and aspects of the athletic department
• Oversees and manages all athletic facilities (Farnsworth Fieldhouse, Bingham Gym, athletic fields and courts)
• Prepares the budget and allocates spending for the athletic and co-curricular program (including team travel, uniform and equipment purchases, facility upkeep)
• Coordinates scheduling and budgetary issues with the On-Snow program
• Schedules all athletic events, home and away, and officials for home events
• Coordinates field use with the maintenance crew
• Coordinates team travel for all away events with transportation
• Coordinates meals with the dining hall staff
• Generates weekly communications regarding schedule, events, transportation
• Oversees and manages Blackbaud team pages and how those team pages publish to the external website
• Oversees and ensures daily team preparations to include uniform distribution, field and equipment prep, field schedules, snow/rain alternative schedules
• Creates and manages various schedules for teams (competitions, community clean up, formal dinner table setting, alumni/ae games)
• Maintains the athletic component of the website – schedules, rosters, etc
• Coordinates seasonal athletic celebrations and awards including those at graduation
• Ensures quality comments from coaching staff are submitted each term/season

Leadership Responsibilities & Objectives:

• Provides a leadership presence at home athletic contests and events
• Maintains a presence, safety and order in Farnsworth Fieldhouse
• Ensures a quality program and experience for Gould’s student athletes
• Provides hands-on leadership with coaching staff, program development, and initiatives
• Sustains a culture of sportsmanship, scholarship, character, pride and respect at all levels within the athletic and co-curricular program
• Ensures ongoing assessment of policy related to athletics and co-curricular best practices, and execution of appropriate action items
• Provides guidance to juniors and seniors seeking an exception from the requirements
• Works with coaches and athletes to help teams reach their potential
• Works through athlete, coach or parent concerns or issues as they arise
• Monitors and ensures equality of opportunity in boy’s and girl’s athletics, for all athletes and teams
• Develops long range departmental goals, practices, and policies in collaboration with members of the department in support of the school and its leadership

Staffing Responsibilities:

• Assists in the hiring of athletic and co-curricular staff
• Facilitates Goulds’ coaching and co-curricular program leader assignments, working closely with the HOS and Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning
• Hires part-time stipend paid coaches, as necessary
• Assumes responsibility for training, mentoring, and evaluating coaches and athletics staff either directly or by facilitating the appropriate leader to do so
• Supports professional development of coaching staff
• Assesses capabilities for athletic and co-curricular leadership

Community Life

Faculty help to supervise students on school nights and weekends. Faculty and student leaders work together as a team to make the Gould experience one in which students can learn from one another. School night duty usually involves one night of evening campus coverage and occasional backup coverage when necessary.

Other Duties:

• Assists the Admissions and Advancement Offices, occasionally and when asked, by attending and speaking at special events and meeting with prospective students and families, consultants, alums, prospective donors, etc.
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. They will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by their supervisor(s) and/or the Head of School

Qualification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required, Masters preferred
• Strong understanding of adolescents, athletics and the boarding school environment
• Excellent organizational, oral and written communication skills; proficient with public speaking
• Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Strong leadership skills; ability to function productively with a high level of organization, flexibility, consistency and integrity
• Adept at establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with students, coaches/faculty/program leaders, parents, other schools and outside resources
• Communicates responsibly and effectively in all media and forms
• Ability to lead coaches with recruiting
• Demonstrated ability to carry out actions and initiatives with minimal supervision
• Ability to lead and mentor staff and students in a wide range of school programs
• Organize, plan, staff, and train staff, for multiple roles through all seasons/settings/programs
• Successfully pass a criminal and sexual offender background check
• Possess a valid driver’s license

Physical and Environmental Conditions

These physical requirements are not exhaustive and additional job related physical requirements may be added to these by individuals on an as needed basis. Corrective devices may be used to meet physical requirements.

•  Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing and pulling, walking, sitting
• Occasional prolonged and irregular hours
• Occasional lifting up to 10-30 pounds of equipment/supplies
• Prolonged use of computer and repetitive hand motions
• Occasionally this position will be squatting, climbing and driving a motor vehicle
• Ability to visit and move around on and off campus, must be able to travel to all campus locations and to appropriate training and/or meetings as required

Gould Academy’s mission is to prepare academically motivated students for college and to help them to become independent-minded, ethical citizens who will lead lives of purpose, action, excellence, and compassion in a dynamic world.

Compensation and Benefits 

This is a full-time, year round, exempt position beginning July 1, 2022. Benefits include a generous retirement plan match, cost sharing for health and dental insurance, free $50,000 life and LTD insurances, health savings contribution, discounted season pass to Sunday River, four weeks vacation, plus holidays, wellness culture with an annual contribution to employee wellness preferences and encouragement to participate in Mountain Day and Ski Day, academy “days off” when the community comes together outside of the classroom. Use of the fitness center, including indoor tennis and skate park. Gould provides meals at our campus dining facility for you and your family. Campus provided housing could be a component of the benefit package. Compensation is commensurate with experience.

To Apply

Qualified candidates apply for this position by creating an applicant profile online. You will be asked to answer a few questions, upload your resume and a cover letter sharing with us – Why Gould?

To learn more about Gould Academy visit us at: www.gouldacademy.org/careers. If you prefer to apply by mail please contact Deborah Menezes, Director of Human Resources, at 207-824-7797

Equal Employment Opportunities

Gould Academy does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, race, creed, color, gender, disability, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admission, financial aid, loans, hiring process, and other school programs.