Director of Swimming and Diving

Merrimack College Federal Cu; Andover (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Merrimack College is seeking a Director of Swimming and Diving to lead and supervise a NCAA Division I program on campus. The role focuses on recruitment, training, and strategic growth of the swimming and diving program, while mentoring student‑athletes academically and athletically.

Responsibilities include overseeing practices, scheduling, budget management, and collaboration with Athletics leadership to grow the program and possibly add a men’s team in the future.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• 1–2 years of experience coaching swimming and diving, preferably at the collegiate level.
• Commitment to supporting student‑athletes’ academic success, personal development, and well‑being.
• Ability to cultivate a team culture rooted in fairness, honesty, respect, and sportsmanship, consistent with NCAA and institutional values.
• Genuine passion for swimming and diving, and mentoring student‑athletes in and out of the pool.
• Outstanding interpersonal, leadership and relationship‑building skills with strong communication.
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills with ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong work ethic and integrity in representing the institution.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of the swimming and diving program with effective communication and planning.
• Recruit quality student‑athletes to meet enrollment goals, including evaluations and visits.
• Determine athletic scholarship allocation within required guidelines.
• Organize and conduct team practices and individual skill instruction sessions.
• Prepare student‑athletes and the team for competition.
• Build a competitive Division I schedule and coordinate with the sports administrator.
• Manage program budget with fiscal responsibility.
• Develop revenue through camps, clinics, and alumni engagement.
• Collaborate on strategic growth, facilities, and program expansion.
• Oversee women’s team now, with potential future men’s oversight.
• Support the holistic development of student‑athletes.

Skills

Coaching

Recruiting

Leadership

Communication

Budget Management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Director of Swimming and Diving is responsible for providing leadership and supervision for all aspects of a NCAA Division I swimming and diving program by recruiting academically qualified prospective student‑athletes, developing and implementing effective training sessions, practices and game strategies, educating and coaching student‑athletes, and supporting student‑athletes in their personal, academic and athletic development at Merrimack College. This full‑time position, reporting to an assigned sports administrator, is responsible for oversight of the swimming and diving program in accordance with NCAA Division I, Conference, and Merrimack College rules, regulations and policies.

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of the swimming and diving program, demonstrating effective communication and planning, strong organizational and administrative skills, sound decision‑making and visionary leadership.
• Responsible for the recruitment of quality student‑athletes to meet specified enrollment goals, which includes evaluating talent, visiting/communicating with prospective student‑athletes and parents/guardians, planning on‑campus visits and completing the appropriate forms and communicating with the athletic compliance office, as needed.
• Determine athletic scholarship allocation for prospective student‑athletes, working within requirements set and communicated by athletic administration.
• Organize, plan and conduct effective and efficient team practices and individual skill instruction sessions with demonstrated ability to teach and instruct the sport.
• Responsible for preparing individual student‑athletes and the team for competition.
• Build a competitive division 1 schedule; communicate schedule with assigned sports administrator in advance for approval.
• Demonstrate sound fiscal responsibility in the management of the department‑approved budget for the program.
• Meet program revenue goals through establishing and conducting camps and clinics, working with alumni and the athletic department’s Friends and Family program.
• Collaborate with Athletics leadership on strategic growth initiatives (i.e. the possibility of enhancing participation opportunities by adding a men’s program), facility utilization, and program expansion.
• Currently responsible for oversight of the women’s swimming and diving team with the possibility of adding oversight of a men’s team in the future.
• Participate in the development of the whole student‑athlete — athletically, academically and personally, regarding individual well‑being and life skills.
• Help monitor and ensure the academic progress of student‑athletes.
• Represent the program with the highest level of professionalism, sportsmanship and integrity.
• Build a community of fans and friends, both on and off campus, to support and engage with the swimming and diving community.
• Foster and maintain a culture that demonstrates a commitment to NCAA rules compliance.
• Participate in departmental activities including staff meetings, compliance education, culture and belonging training, guest speakers and other events/meetings.
• Fulfill other specific areas of responsibility related to the swimming and diving program as assigned by the sports administrator and/or Director of Athletics.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• 1‑2 years of experience coaching swimming and diving, preferably at the collegiate level.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting the academic success, personal development, and overall well‑being of student‑athletes.
• Ability to cultivate a team culture rooted in fairness, honesty, respect, and sportsmanship, consistent with NCAA and institutional values.
• Genuine passion for swimming and diving, and for mentoring and developing student‑athletes both in and out of the pool.
• Outstanding interpersonal, leadership and relationship‑building skills, with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills including the ability to prioritize and complete tasks by established deadlines.
• Strong work ethic and commitment to competitive excellence while upholding the highest standards of integrity.
• Demonstrated professionalism and the ability to positively represent the institution, athletics department and the program.

Work Location

This is an on‑campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on‑campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.

This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.