Head Track Coach (Running Events)

Westover School, Incorporated; Middlebury (CT); On-site; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Part time

Job summary

Westover School is seeking a Head Track Coach (Running Events) for the Spring 2027 season. The role leads the newly established track program, focusing on sprint, middle-distance, long-distance, and relays, with creative use of campus spaces and off-campus facilities.

As part-time staff, you will develop practices, supervise athletes, and collaborate with the Athletic Director on scheduling, transport, and equipment while upholding safety and school policies.

Qualifications

• Previous coaching experience in track or cross country.
• Knowledge of sprint, middle-distance, long-distance and relay training.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and support athletes positively.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of Westover's running-focused track program, including practice planning, athlete development, meet preparation, and competition-day operations.
• Develop safe, effective training for sprint, middle-distance, long-distance, and relay athletes.
• Teach running mechanics, conditioning, pacing, and race strategy appropriate to each event.
• Adapt practices for differing experience levels to promote growth of individuals and team.
• Foster a positive team culture built on respect, hard work, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
• Use campus spaces and off-campus facilities creatively to provide training opportunities.
• Supervise student-athletes during practices, competitions, travel, and activities.
• Coordinate meet scheduling, transportation, and equipment with the Athletic Director.
• Communicate professionally with students, families, staff, officials, and other coaches.
• Ensure compliance with school policies and safety regulations; travel with the team as needed.

Skills

Coaching experience

Running events training

Motivate student-athletes

Communication skills

Safety/CPR awareness

Creative practice planning

First Aid knowledge

Connecticut driver endorsement

Job description

Department: Athletics

Location: Westover School - Middlebury, CT

Status: Temporary; Part-Time

About Us

Westover School is a girls-centered boarding and day school for grades 9-12, where smart, motivated students become confident, connected women. We are committed to providing a college preparatory education in a small community atmosphere that emphasizes meaningful student-adult relationships.

We EMPOWER students to be themselves, make their own choices, and appreciate diversity-resulting in graduates who lead lives of purpose and meaning, understand they can make a difference, and value the power of relationships.

We invite you to apply for the role of Head Track Coach (Running Events) for the Spring 2027 season, beginning in March and running through May. This is a part-time position reporting directly to the Athletic Director.

Why Westover?

We celebrate diversity of all kinds and are committed to creating an inclusive culture built on a foundation of respect for all individuals. We seek to hire, develop, and retain talented people from all backgrounds. Individuals from non-traditional backgrounds, historically marginalized, or underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Westover School is located in Middlebury, CT-45 minutes from New Haven, 1.5 hours from New York City, and 2 hours from Boston.

Job Summary

The Head Track Coach (Running Events) will provide leadership, instruction, and oversight for Westover's newly established track program, with a focus on running events including sprints, middle-distance, long-distance, and relays. This is an opportunity to help build the program from the ground up and establish a positive team culture, training philosophy, and foundation for future growth.

As Westover does not currently have an on-campus track facility, the Head Coach will need to be flexible, creative, and resourceful in developing effective practices using available campus spaces, nearby trails, conditioning areas, and off-campus track facilities as appropriate.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Lead all aspects of Westover's running-focused track program, including practice planning, athlete development, meet preparation, and competition-day operations.
• Develop and conduct safe, effective, and developmentally appropriate training for sprint, middle-distance, long-distance, and relay athletes.
• Teach proper running mechanics, conditioning, pacing, race strategy, and other fundamentals appropriate to each event.
• Develop practices that accommodate varying levels of experience and promote individual and team growth.
• Foster a positive and motivating team culture that promotes respect, hard work, teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal growth.
• Creatively utilize available campus spaces and off-campus facilities to provide effective training opportunities.
• Safely and effectively supervise student-athletes during practices, competitions, travel, and other team activities.
• Collaborate with the Athletic Director regarding meet scheduling, transportation, off-campus facility use, equipment, and other program needs.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with student-athletes, families, faculty, staff, officials, and other coaches.
• Ensure compliance with all Westover School policies and procedures, league requirements, and applicable safety regulations.
• Travel with the team to away competitions and events as required.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Previous coaching experience in track, cross country, distance running, or a related area and/or a successful competitive running background.
• Strong knowledge of training principles for running events, including sprints, middle-distance, long-distance, and relays.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and support student-athletes in a positive and inclusive environment.
• Ability to be flexible, creative, and resourceful in practice planning due to facility limitations.
• Strong communication, organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, reliability, and a collaborative approach.
• Enthusiasm for working with adolescents and contributing to an independent school community.
• CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain.
• Ability and willingness to obtain a Connecticut "A" endorsement on driver's license to transport student-athletes is a plus.
• Successful completion of required background checks and reference review.

EEO Statement

Westover School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community and strongly encourage applications from candidates from historically marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds, as well as those with non-traditional career paths.