School Athletic Director

Chicago Public Schools; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is seeking an Athletic Director to oversee a comprehensive high school athletics program. You will supervise licensed and non-licensed staff, maintain eligibility records, and ensure compliance with policies and regulations to support student-athlete success.

The role requires coordinating schedules, transportation, and safety plans while reporting to the Executive Director of CPS Sports Administration and collaborating with building principals and OSA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education from an accredited college.
• NIAAA Certified Athletic Administrator credential.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in sports program administration.

Responsibilities

• Administers and oversees the high school athletics program.
• Supervises staff including assistant ADs, coaches, trainers, and support staff.
• Maintains records, eligibility lists, and related compliance documentation.
• Develops schedules, coordinates transportation, and ensures safety plans.
• Reports to Executive Director and collaborates with principals and OSA.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Tech proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education

NIAAA Certified Athletic Administrator

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel/Word/PowerPoint)

Google Suite

Web content editing software

Job description

• Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 330,000 students across 500 schools and employing nearly 36,000 staff members, most of whom are teachers. CPS has ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. To fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Five core principles are embedded within these commitments: high-quality, rigorous instruction; talented and empowered educators; safety and support; economic stability; and collective impact.
• Reporting to the Executive Director of CPS Sports Administration and under the direction of the Building Principal, the Athletic Director plays a critical role in overseeing the development and implementation of a comprehensive high school athletics program.
• The Athletic Director will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:
• Administering the extra-curricular athletic programs
• Supervises licensed and non-licensed staff in Athletics, including Assistant Athletic Directors , coaches , trainers , and support staff.
• Maintains files and records required by policy, regulation , law, and good practice. (Player record cards, Aspen-eligibility, physicals, transfer paperwork, transportation requests, coaching certifications)
• Responds to requests for information . (From OSA, IHSA, FOIA, Title IX, Law Department, Colleges for recruiting, Press releases)
• Implements board policies and advises the administration on regulatory matters related to athletics.
• Assesses department needs through consultation with students , staff, and parents. (Equipment, budgeting, transportation, upgrades to venues, technology)
• Evaluates the ext r a-curricular athletic programs and engages i n long-term planning. (Adding or dropping programs or levels, Title IX requirements, additional coaches or trainers)
• Develops and updates handbooks, brochures, and policy manuals.
• Informs the school community about extracurricular athletic programs. (Through websites, emails, media, and social media)
• Stay current on research, issues, and regulations related to athletic programs. (Academic, Racial, Gender, and socio-economic issues in sport.)
• Develop a grade-check system for student-athletes.
• Maintains and assures that all eligibility reports and lists of participation are submitted weekly.
• Develops and updates team schedules on all school platforms for public viewing.
• Oversees transportation for all team travel.
• Develops a school safety plan for every home venue.
• Monitors and Supports the Academic Performance of Student-Athletes
• Oversees Individual Study Plan (ISP) process for academically at-risk student-athletes
• Develops academic support mechanisms for the benefit of student-athletes, including but not limited to: study hall, advising, postsecondary guidance, etc.
• .
• Directs and Coordinates the Fiscal Operations within the Departments
• Engages in fiscal planning, short and long-range.
• Assists in preparing and implementing the school system budget and coordinates department purchasing.
• Recommends capital improvements and negotiated contract agreements.
• Formulates specifications to be incorporated into contracts and bids.
• Serves as a consultant in the selection of supplies and materials.
• Supervises all ticket sales and fundraising events of the athletic programs.
• Administers the receipt and disbursement of student activity funds.
• Assists OSA with hiring and payment of coaching staff.
• Supervises and guides the planning and execution of all parent volunteer organizations.

• Creates the Schedules for All Operations and Activities within the Departments
• Issue timely announcements of upcoming events and deadlines.
• Schedules and pays officials, athletic trainers, ticket takers, announcers, clock operators, and police for supervision of home contests.
• Hire, schedule, and pay lifeguards for all aquatic sports.
• Arranges transportation for athletic contest participants.
• Verifies each athlete's eligibility for participation in each contest..
• Arranges all details of visiting teams' needs, as appropriate.
• Provides emergency healthcare and first aid treatment.
• Arranges field, gymnasium, and aquatics center practice schedules, including arrangements for summer programs and non-school use of playing fields and Facilities, if applicable.
• Managing contracts for every athletic contest
• Coordinates with CPS for stadium usage
• Coordinates with the Chicago Park District to execute IGAs for athletic facilities
• Recommen ds , Ma nages, Supervises , and Evaluate s Staff
• Rec ru its , screens , interviews, and re commen ds pros p ecti v e c o ac he s.
• Mak es c oac hing assignment r ecom mendation s .
• Ensures all coaches and staff are CPS and State certification compliant
• Su pervise s and evaluates coachin g staff a nd oth e r athletic staff .
• Develops and applies a coaching evaluation system.
• Supports o pportun i ties for profess i o nal develo pment for the coach i ng s taf f .
• Mo nitor s staff time and a t ten dance at p r of e s s i o nal meet i ng s .
• Inv estigate complaints regarding employee co n duct or per f orm ance.
• Enc ou r age s the development and us e of new stra t egies and ph i l o s o p h i e s .
• Pro vides st a f f leadership to promote t h e district's athlet ic objectives.
• Ass ists coa ches in the handling of day-to -day problems .
• Res olves s t aff problems and provid es support t o coach e s .
• Coordinates the Development, Implementation, Review , and Revision of the Extra-Curricular Athletic Program
• Attends practices and games f or evaluation and needs asses s ment purposes .
• Attends professional conferences to stay up-to-date on promising instructional practices.
• Enforces state and City board pol i cies on equal ed u cational opportunity .
• Develops an effective, comprehensive, and equal opportunities athletic
• program for all male and female students .
• Advises on modification of programs to meet individual students' academic and health needs .
• Investigate complaints and grievances.
• Participates in the work of state and national assoc i ations.

• Facilities Management: Manages and Develops Facilities
• Inspects buildings, grounds , machines, and equipment .
• Issues repair orders and provides specifications for maintaining athletic facilities and fields.
• Determines the safety and obsolescence of equipment.
• Enforces compliance with occupational health and safety codes and standards .
• Oversees maintenance of swimming pools in a clean , safe, and sanitary condition.
• Recommends watering and spraying schedules for school athletic fields.
• Orders and oversees repairs or replacement of defect i ve parts .
• Ass i sts in the development of specifications for construction projects.
• Assists in identifying and using community resources for the athletic program.
• Limited facilities, which require the athletic directors to procure space for teams outside of CPS facilities
• Supervises Departmental Activities and Operations
• Coordinate public or special events. (Homecoming, Senior Days, Award Ceremonies, Fundraisers)
• Supervises part-time student help, including clinical hours .
• Develops and implements appropriate rules and regulations governing the conduct of athletic activities.
• Oversees the implementation of the insurance program covering sc h ool athletes .
• Complete incident reports for minor to traumatic injuries.
• Works to resolve conflicts; anticipates and resolves potential problems.
• Organizes , plans, and coordinates departmental awards, including recognition of alumn i, former coaches, and staff.
• Public Relations: Establishes a Positive Image for Departments within the School and the Community
• Interacts and aids in the development of feeder prog r ams .
• Plans and supervises an annual recognition program for school athletes.
• Keeps records of the results of school athletic contests , maintains a record file of all award winners, and announces athletic scholarships .
• Conducts in-season team meetings to review the student code of conduct.
• Ma inta in s a pprop ri ate professional re l ationsh ips w ith par e n t s, p a rent groups (e. g ., A th l e tic Bo oster s), school volun t eers, and ou tside ag encies .
• Re sponds to requ e sts for i nformati on .
• Oversees Su mmer Athletic P rogramm ing .
• Ov ersees the su m mer programm i ng to ensure State and City compliance.
• Per forms ot her re l ated duties as ass igned t o en s ure the eff i c ie n t and eff ect i ve fu nct i oning of summer athletics.
• Education and Credentials Required:
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or University in Education.
• NIAAA Certified Athletic Administrator
• Experience Required:
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in sports program administration and/or interscholastic sports
• Supervisory experience preferred
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively with a variety of audiences.
• Ability to coordinate and manage all aspects of the athletic program, including financials.
• Ability to motivate student athletes and coaches.
• Ability to make rational decisions under stressful conditions.
• Proficiency using technology and applications, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Google Suite, and web content editing software .
• Other Requirements:
• This role requires a non-traditional schedule which includes evening and weekend hours based on the individual school’s needs. Hours may change seasonally.
• Transportation requirements (do they need a valid driver’s license? Access to a car or just reliable transportation?
• Conditions of Employment
• As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:
• Establish and Maintain Chicago Residency
• Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.
• Be Fully Vaccinated or Submit to Weekly COVID-19 Testing
• Employees are required to be fully vaccinated within 30 days of their hire date. Full vaccination is defined as at least two weeks after your second shot of a two-shot vaccination course, or at least two weeks after a one-shot vaccination course. Unvaccinated staff must submit to weekly testing.

Posting DateSep 11, 2026, 12:45:17 PMPrimary LocationWest Side-2345 South Christiana Avenue (David G Farragut Career Acad)