Head Sailing Coach

CNU's Center For American Studies; Newport News (VA); On-site; USD 50,748 - 72,569; Full time

Job summary

Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA, seeks a Head Sailing Coach to lead all aspects of the intercollegiate program, guiding student‑athletes academically and athletically while partnering with Admissions, Advancement, and alumni groups.

You will own the program's budget, oversee operations on and off the water, plan competition schedules, recruit talent, and serve as an ambassador to the sailing community.

Qualifications

• Significant, successful experience coaching competitive sailing.
• Demonstrated success recruiting student‑athletes.
• Experience managing or supervising coaches or program staff.
• Experience building positive relationships with alumni, families, and donors, and connecting student‑athletes to academic and personal support.

Responsibilities

• Direct the planning, organization, instruction, and day‑to‑day coaching of the CNU sailing team across both the Co‑Ed and Women’s divisions, on the water and in the classroom.
• Establish competition schedules; analyze opponents and conditions; design race and team‑racing strategies; and evaluate and adjust team performance throughout the season, including video and statistical analysis.
• Plan and administer in‑season and off‑season training, including individualized development, in partnership with strength and conditioning and sports medicine.
• Evaluate and implement innovations in sailing technique, strategy, and equipment, and make final lineup and competition decisions.
• Own the program’s recruiting strategy: identify and evaluate prospective student‑athletes and, in partnership with Undergraduate Admissions, guide them through the admissions and eligibility process.

Skills

Sailing coaching

Team leadership

Budget management

Recruiting

Communication

Project management

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

The Head Sailing Coach leads all aspects of a competitive intercollegiate sailing program and is responsible for the athletic, academic, and personal development of its student‑athletes. Reporting to the Director of Athletics, the Head Coach sets the competitive vision, recruits in partnership with Admissions, owns the program’s budget, leads fundraising in partnership with the program’s foundation and alumni organization, manages a safe and well‑run operation on and off the water, and serves as an ambassador to alumni, families, and the broader sailing community. The Head Coach is supported by an Assistant Sailing Coach who executes many day‑to‑day coaching, fleet, travel, and recruiting tasks.

Responsibilities

Coaching & Competition

• Direct the planning, organization, instruction, and day‑to‑day coaching of the CNU sailing team across both the Co‑Ed and Women’s divisions, on the water and in the classroom.
• Establish competition schedules; analyze opponents and conditions; design race and team‑racing strategies; and evaluate and adjust team performance throughout the season, including video and statistical analysis.
• Plan and administer in‑season and off‑season training, including individualized development, in partnership with strength and conditioning and sports medicine.
• Evaluate and implement innovations in sailing technique, strategy, and equipment, and make final lineup and competition decisions.

Recruiting & Admissions Partnership

• Own the program’s recruiting strategy: identify and evaluate prospective student‑athletes and, in partnership with Undergraduate Admissions, guide them through the admissions and eligibility process.
• Serve as primary admissions liaison for CNU Sailing; coordinate prospect visits and campus tours and support new‑student orientation, with a recruiting focus that advances the program’s goals for roster size, gender balance, and geographic, out‑of‑state, and international diversity.

Program Operations & Budget

• Develop and manage the program’s operating budget and authorize equipment purchases, in coordination with the Athletics business office and the Christopher Newport Sailing Foundation.
• Coordinate daily use of, and the relationship with, the program’s sailing facility (currently Youth Sailing Virginia), including dinghy fleet and support‑craft readiness — rigging, routine and mechanical repair, seasonal maintenance, and winterizing.
• Plan and host home regattas and oversee team travel, with execution support from the Assistant Coach.
• Develop and maintain operational guidelines and procedures, recommend hiring decisions for program staff, and supervise the assistant coaches, athletic trainers, and student assistants, in coordination with the Director of Athletics.

Community, Alumni & Development

• Represent CNU Athletics at professional, civic, charitable, and alumni events; participate in professional associations and ICSA/MAISA committee service; and maintain the program’s social media and digital presence.
• Support alumni, family, and donor engagement and program fundraising in partnership with University Advancement and The Christopher Newport Sailing Foundation, Inc. Support the growth of youth sailing development programs in the community to increase the visibility and role of Christopher Newport sailing.

Safety, Risk & Compliance

• Maintain a safe program and ensure compliance with all University, state, and ICSA rules, including safety regulations governing boats and equipment, using the safety equipment, support craft, and insurance coverage provided by the University.
• Hold and maintain all required safety and coaching certifications (see Required Qualifications).

University Citizenship

• Counsel and support student‑athletes in academic, personal, and disciplinary matters, partnering with academic advising, athletic training/sports medicine, and strength and conditioning, and refer them to appropriate University resources.
• This position is designated as a “responsible employee” who has the authority to redress sexual violence, who has the duty to report incidents of sexual violence or other student misconduct, or who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or duty.
• Develop and maintain a positive and professional customer service and/or relations within the office/department and with all constituencies including students, faculty, staff, guests, and employees, demonstrating the “Student’s First” value at CNU and routinely going the extra mile in providing service.
• Works a variety of schedules and hours consistent with the needs of the position.
• Follow workplace safety regulations and adhere to applicable standards, processes, and programs established for your position. Report unsafe work conditions to your supervisor. Immediately report work‑related incidents to your supervisor and participate in accident investigation requests.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA's)

• Skill in training and instructing competitive sailors.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills.
• Proficiency with standard computer applications.
• Ability to analyze situations and develop solutions.
• Ability to manage people, projects, and budgets.
• Ability to travel and work non‑traditional hours.
• Ability to foster positive internal and external relations.

Education & Experience

Master’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree and experience that equates to an advanced degree.

Additional Consideration – Education Experience Required

• Significant, successful experience coaching competitive sailing.
• Demonstrated success recruiting student‑athletes.
• Experience managing or supervising coaches or program staff.
• Experience building positive relationships with alumni, families, and donors, and connecting student‑athletes to academic and personal support.

Additional Consideration – Experience

• Collegiate sailing coaching or competition experience, particularly within ICSA.
• Record of competing at or developing sailors toward national‑level events.
• Experience managing a fleet, support craft, and a waterfront facility.
• Established network within the collegiate and competitive sailing community.

Salary Information

Salary $50,748 to $72,569, Commensurate with Education and Experience.

EEO/Diversity Statement

Christopher Newport University, an EO Employer, is fully committed to access and opportunity.

Notice of Non-Discrimination & Title IX Policy Statement

Not mandatory mandatory statement not mandatory mandatory statement.