Director of Athletics

Lakeside School; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid health benefits

Retirement contributions

Free lunch

Professional development opportunities

Housing assistance program

Job summary

A leading independent school in Seattle is seeking a Director of Athletics to lead its 5–12 interscholastic program. The ideal candidate will provide strategic vision, manage a dedicated team, and enhance the athletic experience for students. Responsibilities include overseeing operations, supervising staff, and supporting student-athletes, fostering an inclusive and competitive environment. A Bachelor's degree and extensive coaching experience are required, along with strong leadership skills and a passion for educational athletics. Competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience as athletic director or similar role.
• Extensive coaching experience is required.
• Strong understanding of collegiate recruiting process.

Responsibilities

• Lead Lakeside’s interscholastic athletics program.
• Supervise and mentor the athletics staff.
• Oversee daily operations and scheduling of athletics.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Coaching

Education

Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts or related field

Master’s degree in education or athletics (preferred)

Tools

MS Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Lakeside School, an independent, non-sectarian day school in Seattle serving 891 students in grades 5–12, seeks an energetic, strategic, and student-centered leader to serve as the next Director of Athletics. This is an exciting opportunity for a forward-looking educator to lead a nationally-respected program that blends competitive excellence, robust student participation, and character-driven development aligned with Lakeside’s mission, vision, and values.

With 26 varsity teams—many with junior varsity and Middle School counterparts—and participation rates exceeding 80% in the Upper School and 90% in the Middle School, athletics is a defining feature of the Lakeside experience. The next director will guide a program that consistently earns league, district, and state recognition; supports lifelong health and wellness; and contributes meaningfully to the culture of the school.

Reporting to the assistant head of school/Upper School director, the director of athletics serves as a member of the school’s directors group and leads a dedicated team of athletics employees, coaches, program head, and trainers. The director champions a program grounded in excellence, integrity, sportsmanship, and belonging while ensuring athletics is a place where all students are supported, challenged, and inspired. This is a full time (1.0 FTE), exempt, administrative appointment on a full-year schedule (July 1 to June 30).

Lakeside: Fast Facts

About the Position

The Director of Athletics provides visionary leadership for Lakeside’s 5–12 interscholastic athletics program. As both leader and educator, the director works closely with students, employees, coaches, administrative colleagues, and families to create an environment where athletic achievement and personal growth reinforce one another. They will join a dedicated community that believes deeply in the invaluable role of athletics in student development and school culture.

The next director will have the opportunity to deepen connection between athletics and the school’s mission; foster a culture of coaching excellence; enhance program cohesion across divisions; support aspiring collegiate athletes; strengthen operational systems; and serve as a visible and engaged presence across the community.

Advance a mission-aligned program that reflects Lakeside’s values of integrity and belonging, ensuring athletics supports students’ social, emotional, and physical development.

Lead the 5–12 Interscholastic Athletics Program and ensure consistent implementation of policies, procedures, and expectations.

Supervise and mentor an experienced staff: an associate athletics director, three assistant athletics directors, two athletic trainers, two strength coaches, an event and facilities manager, and varsity head coaches.

Hire, support, and evaluate coaches; lead professional development; and ensure appropriate staffing at athletic contests.

Build cohesion across divisions, uniting Middle and Upper School athletics through shared expectations, communication, and programmatic alignment.

Champion health, safety, and wellness by overseeing risk management, athletic training, strength and conditioning, and best practices in student-athlete care.

Oversee the daily operations of athletics, including scheduling, event supervision, equipment and apparel management, and coordination of facilities.

Represent athletics within school leadership, offering thoughtful, informed perspectives on school-wide policy, culture, and long-term planning while working with all departments to enhance the student experience.

Continue fostering a culture of high-quality coaching, building systems for recruiting, developing, mentoring, and evaluating coaches and program personnel.

Support college-bound athletes, partnering with college counseling to guide the 10–20% of Lakesiders who pursue intercollegiate athletics each year.

Partner externally with CYO, the Metro League, WIAA, and peer institutions to maintain strong relationships and uphold Lakeside’s leadership in the region.

Enhance communication and visibility, working within the office and with communications on storytelling, publicity, web and social media content, and community engagement.

Plan for program sustainability, collaborating with development and business offices on budgeting, facilities planning, and potential fundraising initiatives.

Manage the department finances and budget, including purchasing all equipment and uniforms.

Serve as a member of the directors group, contributing to decisions about school-wide initiatives, strategic planning, and community culture.

Serve as a visible ambassador for athletics at games, assemblies, admissions events, and community gatherings.

Interpret and communicate WIAA and school eligibility guidelines; address concerns raised by students, families, and coaches.

Collaborate with enrollment management and admissions to attract prospective student-athletes who would thrive at Lakeside and enhance the program.

Partner closely with the communications team to ensure timely, accurate, and engaging athletics coverage.

Fully participate actively in the life of the school, including faculty meetings, student-support conversations, professional development, and major school events.

Perform other duties as assigned by the assistant head of school/Upper School director.

Qualities of the Director of Athletics

The ideal candidate is a relationship-centered leader who is visible, approachable, enthusiastic, and deeply committed to student growth. They bring both competitive drive and emotional intelligence, pairing strategic vision with operational excellence. Successful candidates will demonstrate:

A student-first mindset grounded in empathy, integrity, and clear communication.

Ability to build trust and work collaboratively with staff, coaches, faculty, administrators, families, and external partners.

Skill in managing complex logistics while maintaining a calm, solutions-oriented approach.

Ability and eagerness to provide excellent feedback to team members and have challenging conversations to help community members learn and grow, when needed.

A passion for educational athletics and a belief in the developmental power of sports.

Commitment to equity and inclusion, ensuring the program is accessible, welcoming, and supportive for students from all backgrounds.

Strong organizational and project-management abilities, with meticulous attention to detail.

Ability to speak compellingly about athletics, both publicly and in writing, representing Lakeside with professionalism and enthusiasm.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in the liberal arts or in a field related to athletics or physical education. A Master’s degree in education, athletics, physical education, or independent school leadership is preferred, but not required.

Three or more years of experience as an athletic director, assistant athletic director, or comparable role.

Extensive coaching experience.

Strong understanding of, or willingness to learn, the collegiate recruiting process.

Working knowledge of MS Office and Google Workspace.

Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students and families from diverse backgrounds.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Strong organizational skills and follow-through.

References that reflect maturity, integrity, self-awareness, and the ability to thrive in a highly visible community role.

Successful completion of at least three criminal background checks.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range: $165,000 - $190,000 based upon experience and education. Lakeside School is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding candidates and provides a competitive compensation package.Lakeside School offers a competitive compensation package and a comprehensive set of benefits, including:

Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance (based on FTE)

Dependent medical and vision subsidy

Retirement with generous employer contribution

Life/disability insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible spending accounts

Free lunch

Free parking

Housing assistance program

Reduced facility rentals

Passport Corporate membership

Paid holidays and vacation

Use of school library and gymnasium

Professional Development

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and salary history via Lakeside’s online application system. Application review will begin January 5, 2026, and the position will remain open until filled.

Working at Lakeside

Lakeside School is committed to sustaining a community in which individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds teach, learn, and thrive together. To learn more about working at Lakeside—including professional development, mentoring, benefits, and opportunities for involvement—please visit theCareerspage on the Lakeside School website.

Participate in the 2026 Diversity Career Fair hosted by POCIS Northwest

Virtual: Sunday, February 8, 2026, 9am-12pm PST on Zoom

In-Person: Saturday, February 28, 2026, 9am-12pm at The Lakeside Middle School

For more information and to register, visitDiversity Career Fair