ATHLETIC DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION

Few departments inside a secondary school expose a single administrator to as many simultaneous obligations as athletics. Scheduling conflicts, NCAA eligibility disputes, and game-day breakdowns all land on the same desk. The Athletic Director carries operational authority over event staffing, compliance with MHSAA and AIA eligibility rules, and the communications work that keeps student-athletes, families, and the press accurately informed. Support the wrong coach hire or miss a reporting deadline, and the consequences reach students directly.

Athletic Directors in K–12 education are accountable for the daily coordination of athletic programs, from event logistics and eligibility compliance to promotional content and budget support, ensuring every home contest and recruitment cycle runs without administrative failure. They typically report to the Director of Athletics and work across coaching staff, Risk Management, HR, and school leadership to align program delivery with the institution's academic mission and governing-body regulations.

Career Impact: Administering NCAA eligibility standards and MHSAA compliance at the secondary level builds specialized regulatory knowledge that distinguishes candidates pursuing Athletic Director or collegiate athletics administration roles.

Business Impact: Student-athlete retention, accurate eligibility records, and well-run home events depend directly on this administrator's coordination, and errors in any of these areas carry consequences for school standing with governing bodies.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to budget development, coach hiring, and strategic planning within a school athletics department accelerates the path toward a full Athletic Director appointment or a transition into collegiate athletics operations.

• Lead game-day operations for home events, coordinating officials, trainers, student body, and contracted workers.
• Coordinate facility scheduling with the Director of Athletics and Risk Management staff to align use across all sports.
• Monitor NCAA and governing-body eligibility standards and maintain accurate compliance records for all enrolled athletes.
• Develop and edit promotional materials including press releases, newsletters, and event programs for internal and external audiences.
• Manage athletic department data entry across scheduling platforms, team rosters, and the school website.
• Oversee social media accounts and respond to media and public information requests on behalf of the athletic department.
• Support budget development by coordinating apparel allocations and assisting with financial research as directed by the Athletics Director.
• Assist with coach candidate interviews, professional development planning, and strategic program review in collaboration with school leadership.

• Bachelor's degree in sports management, physical education, or equivalent work experience.
• 2 or more years of experience in athletic administration or coaching, with demonstrated involvement in event operations.
• Working knowledge of NCAA eligibility standards and interscholastic governing-body rules such as MHSAA or AIA regulations.
• Ability to produce written communications including press releases, schedules, and promotional materials for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated organizational skills with the capacity to manage multiple deadlines across concurrent sports seasons.
• Current CPR certification and first aid training, or ability to obtain within a defined period of hire.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays aligned with the athletic event calendar.

• Master's degree in sports management, athletic administration, or a related field.
• Experience as a collegiate or interscholastic student-athlete, providing direct understanding of the recruitment and eligibility process.
• Background in budget coordination, financial reporting, or resource allocation within an athletics or educational setting.
• Demonstrated experience managing digital communications platforms, athletic calendars, or registration systems in a school environment.

• Eligibility filing accuracy rate, reflecting compliance with NCAA and governing-body submission deadlines.
• Home event incident rate, measuring operational execution across staffing, ticketing, and crowd management.
• Promotional content publication volume per season, tracking output against the athletic communications calendar.
• Coach candidate pool completion rate, measuring timely preparation of recruitment materials for open positions.
• Student-athlete retention rate by sport, indicating program stability across seasonal rosters.
• Typical tools: athletic scheduling platforms (commonly AIA or MaxPreps); registration systems (commonly FamilyID); office productivity suites (commonly Microsoft Office).

• Base Salary Range: $42,000 to $62,000 annually, depending on district size and experience.
• Bonus: Performance bonuses uncommon; stipends for additional coaching duties possible.
• Equity: Not applicable in K–12 education settings.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage standard through school district plans.
• PTO: Follows school district calendar; typically 10 to 15 days plus holiday schedule.
• Common Perks: Access to professional development funds, tuition reimbursement through district programs, and complimentary event admission.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check and, where applicable, a drug screening as required by district policy. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local law. Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request throughout the hiring process. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States prior to their start date.

The Assistant Athletic Director owns game-day event operations, promotional content production, and athletic data management across AIA and school platforms, supporting a school athletics department through direct collaboration with the Director of Athletics, Risk Management, and coaching staff. By coordinating NCAA National Letter of Intent events, maintaining eligibility calendars, and managing media relations, the Assistant Athletic Director enables the department to meet compliance obligations and community engagement standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead game-day operations for select home events including teams, officials, trainers, crowd, student body, and workers.
• Coordinate with Director of Athletics to schedule facility use, including working with Risk Management staff as needed.
• Assist Director of Athletics with interviewing and selection of potential coaches.
• Design, write, and oversee the production of printed promotional materials.
• Enter data for all athletic teams across AIA, MaxPreps, and school website platforms.
• Maintain and update all athletic calendars for AIA and school website.
• Write and edit promotional materials including press releases, newsletters, programs, and brochures.
• Oversee and update athletic social media accounts.
• Respond to media and public information requests and distribute promotional materials including flyers, brochures, and press kits.
• Coordinate logistics for athletic department events such as NCAA National Letter of Intent Signing Events.
• Organize and supervise photo sessions for all sports.
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Proficient with FamilyID registration software for data collection and payment processing.
• Proficient with Final Site, NDP's website platform.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with student-athletes, parents, staff, and stakeholders in an educational setting.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.
• Ability to use independent judgment to manage and impart information to media and internal and external audiences.
• Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials.
• Ability to coordinate and organize meetings and special events.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain detail-oriented, highly organized work processes.
• Media relations skills and employee development and performance management skills.
• Must demonstrate personal self-discipline, adaptability, and flexibility in routine and unexpected situations.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of good teaching techniques, child psychology, appropriate grooming, and use of verbal and written language.

Reporting to the Athletics Director, the Assistant Athletic Director delivers day-to-day oversight of all Academy sports programs by coordinating game scheduling, facility planning, budget development with the CFO, and NCAA and FHSAA compliance communications. Partnering with HR, Business Managers, Advancement staff, and the Director of Compliance, this role ensures that student-athlete retention, coach education, and strategic program planning advance the Academy's mission across every sport.

Core Functions

• Assist in development and implementation of the Academy's strategic plan.
• Assist Athletics Director in ensuring all sport program delivery is consistent with the Academy's vision, mission, and philosophy.
• Lead research projects, analyze information, and compile findings to support management decision-making.
• Monitor college recruitment and placement services by sports staff.
• Develop, administer, and analyze customer and staff surveys and recommend program improvements.
• Research financial aid issues and collaborate with CFO and Accounting staff on budget development and management.
• Act as liaison from Athletics Director to Business Managers, Advisors, and other staff.
• Coordinate apparel budgets and allocations with each sport and assist in candidate pool development for various Academy positions.
• Collaborate with HR on planning and delivery of professional development programs.
• Monitor student-athlete retention, international sport trends, and curriculum development for sport and coaches' education programs.
• Coordinate game scheduling, shared facility scheduling, facility maintenance, and planning of new facilities with relevant staff.
• Monitor legislation for compliance impact and coordinate communications between Director of Compliance and sports.
• Coordinate external relations initiatives with Advancement staff and adhere to all company policies and governing agency rules including NCAA and FHSAA.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business, sports management, or equivalent; Master's degree preferred.
• Thorough understanding of intercollegiate and interscholastic athletics, college recruitment, and the student-athlete experience.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, sales, and marketing abilities with strong organizational and administrative skills.
• Proficient with MS Office including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; proficient with online research.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong presentation skills for varied audiences.
• Ability to collaborate, build relationships, and communicate positively and professionally with all internal and external constituents.
• Firm commitment to confidentiality, respect for sensitive information, and highest level of personal and professional integrity.
• Strong commitment to student-athletes and their development; experience as a collegiate student-athlete preferred.
• Ability to work flexible hours including nights, weekends, and holidays; ability to move around campus and handle outdoor conditions.
• Ability to lift, move, push, and pull equipment or boxes in excess of 40 pounds.
• Requires a background check and drug check upon offer.

A key member of the school's administrative team, the Grade Athletic Director shapes the full athletics operation by supervising contests, hiring and coordinating officials, managing ticket operations, and maintaining compliance with NCAA eligibility standards and MHSAA rules. Collaborating closely with the Principal and school staff, this role ensures that all home events run according to the LSEA Master Agreement and that the school's athletic program maintains its commitment to integrity and community visibility.

Primary Duties

• Supervise athletic contests and act as host for visiting teams, officials, and press at home events.
• Plan and arrange staffing and pay for home athletic events in accordance with the LSEA Master Agreement.
• Hire and coordinate officials and manage ticket operations including pre-game arrangements and depositing monies.
• Handle official correspondence, contracts, and arrange athletic schedules in cooperation with the Principal.
• Maintain knowledge of NCAA eligibility standards, MHSAA rules, and Lansing School District athletic eligibility policy.
• Promote publicity for all events including notifications to the press.

Skills & Qualifications

• Background in coaching and/or administration of athletic events required.
• Must have and maintain current CPR certification and first aid training.
• Knowledge of budgetary processes and demonstrated fiscal responsibility.
• Ability to work cooperatively with the principal and other school staff.
• Effective communication skills with various groups.
• Demonstrated organization, management, and strong leadership qualities with personal integrity and commitment to the total athletic program.

Smooth facility operations, well-run recreational events, and coordinated community athletic programs depend on the Athletic Director, who maintains equipment, negotiates gym usage agreements, and supervises staff across a community center setting. Based within a public recreation environment and reporting to the Site Administrator, the Athletic Director represents the center at external meetings and ensures that a broad range of athletic and recreational programming is planned, staffed, and delivered effectively.

Duties

• Maintain equipment and supplies and supervise arrangements for scheduled events.
• Supervise athletic staff as designated by the Site Administrator.
• Publicize and recruit for athletic and recreational events.
• Represent Community Centers at events and meetings.
• Transport participants to and from events.
• Negotiate gym usage agreements and schedule gym activities.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Experience & Qualifications

• Must have and maintain a current Massachusetts Driver's License.
• Two years of experience in public recreation administration and operation of planned recreational and athletic programs required.
• Experience in coordinating community recreational programs.
• Familiarity with a broad range of recreation and athletic programs.
• Ability to plan, assist, and supervise staff.
• Ability to communicate and work with a broad range of people.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.