School Athletic Director (Lic)

Chicago Public Schools; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Chicago Public Schools in Chicago, IL is seeking a Licensed School Athletic Director to lead the district's high school athletic program. You will oversee on-site practices, games, and events; manage safety protocols; and coordinate budgeting, staffing, transportation, and eligibility processes for student-athletes.

The role requires a valid PEL with PK–12 principal endorsement, and a minimum of five years in interscholastic sports administration, including supervisory experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Valid PEL and Administrative Endorsement / PK–12 Principal Endorsement required.
• NIAAA Registered Athletic Administrator (RAA) preferred.
• Minimum of five years of experience in interscholastic sports/athletic program administration.
• Supervisory experience and ability to manage budgets and athletics operations.
• Non-traditional hours with evening/weekend coverage and reliable transportation.
• IHSA trainings compliance and knowledge of equal opportunity expectations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee development and implementation of a comprehensive high school athletics program.
• Administer extracurricular athletic programs, activities, and events.
• Manage district safety, student discipline, and building access on-site.
• Coordinate budgets, purchasing, contracts, and transportation for athletics.
• Ensure eligibility, scheduling, and reporting for student-athletes.

Skills

Leadership

Athletic admin

Budgeting

Communication

Tech proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree

PEL & Admin Endorsement

NIAAA RA A preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Web content editing

Job description

CPS Careers | Search | Apply | Get Hired

Posting Date

Aug 25, 2026, 5:00:05 PM

Primary Location

Licensed School Athletic Director

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set 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. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

Reporting to the Principal and under the direction of the Executive Director, Sports Administration, the School Athletic Director plays a critical role in overseeing the development and implementation of a comprehensive high school athletics program.

The School Athletic Director will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

Utilizes valid PEL and Administrative Endorsement / PK–12 Principal Endorsement to support Principal

Provides on-site coverage athletic practices, games, and events

Oversee district safety and security protocols and promptly resolve student discipline incidents on-site

Serves as the primary on-site administrator in the absence of school leadership to manage building access, facilities oversight, and secure lockup

Administers the extracurricular athletic programs, activities, and events

Maintains files and records required by policy, regulation, law, and best 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 Office, 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 extracurricular athletic programs and engages in long-term planning (adding or dropping programs or levels, Title IX requirements, additional coaches or trainers)

Develops and updates handbooks, brochures, and policy manuals in alignment with OSA and other District policies and procedures; Develops and places into operation appropriate rules and regulations governing the conduct of athletic activities

Informs the school community about extracurricular athletic programs (through websites, emails, media, and social media)

Stays current on research, issues, and regulations related to athletic programs (academic, racial, gender, and socio-economic issues in sports)

Develops, implements, and maintains a grade check system for student athletes

Maintains and ensures that all eligibility reports and lists of participation are submitted on a weekly basis

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

Oversees the implementation of the insurance program covering school athletes

Complete incident reports for minor to traumatic injuries

Organizes, plans, and coordinates departmental awards, including recognition of alumni, former coaches, and staff

Coordinates athletic public or special events. (Homecoming, Senior days, Award Ceremonies, Fundraisers)

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 department in consultation with the principal and in alignment with OSA and other District policies, guidelines, and procedures

Supports the principal in athletics‑related fiscal planning and making recommendations to the principal on athletics budgets, purchases, and capital improvements, and contract agreements related to athletics

Assists in preparing, monitoring, and managing the athletics budget and implementing the school system budget; 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

Issues 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 supervise lifeguards for all aquatic sports; Coordinate timely payment by ensuring all hours are submitted and approved through the timekeeping system

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 for emergency health care 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

Manages contracts for every athletic contest

Coordinates with CPS for stadium usage

Coordinates with the Chicago Park District to execute IGA’s for athletic facilities

Recommends, supervises, and evaluates staff (E.g., athletic support, trainers, Board employees who coach and volunteer coaches) and student workers

Recuits, screens, interviews, and recommends prospective athletes

Makes coaching assignment recommendations

Ensures all coaches and staff are CPS and State certification compliant and have been properly cleared through the volunteer process or are actively staffed, stipend‑eligible employees prior to each season

Supervises and evaluates coaching staff and other athletic staff

Supervises part‑time student help, including clinical hours

Develops and applies a coaching evaluation system

Supports opportunities for professional development for the coach and staff

Monitors staff time and attendance to ensure compliance with departmental and school policies

Investigates complaints and grievances regarding employee conduct or performance

Encourages the development and use of new strategies and philosophies

Provides staff leadership to promote the athletic objectives of the district

Assists coaches in the handling of day‑to‑day problems, providing on‑site support and supervision during games, athletic events, and after‑school practices

Resolves staff issues and provides support to coaches

Coordinates the development, implementation, review, and revision of the extracurricular athletic program

Attends practices and games for purposes of evaluation and needs assessment

Attends professional conferences to keep abreast of promising instructional practices

Enforces the State and City board policies of equal educational 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.

Investigates complaints and grievances

Participates in the work of state and national associations

Supports facilities management and day‑to‑day facility operations

Maintains athletic facilities and ensures all premises are properly locked and secured after daily use and events

Inspects buildings, grounds, machines, and equipment

Issues repair orders and provides specifications for maintenance of athletic facilities/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 defective parts

Assists in developing specifications for construction projects

Assists in identifying and using community resources for the athletic program

Procure space for teams outside of CPS facilities

Establishes a positive image for departments within the school and the community

Interacts and aids in the development of feeder programs

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 announcements of athletic scholarships

Conducts in‑season team meetings to review the student code of conduct

Mains the arrangement of professional training and registration processes with partners

Responds to requests for information

Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Athletic Director will possess the following qualifications:

Required Education:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Valid Professional Educator License (PEL) and an Administrative Endorsement / PK–12 Principal Endorsement required

NIAAA Registered Athletic Administrator (RAA) preferred

Minimum of five (5) years of experience in interscholastic sports (e.g., coaching, athletic program administration), including a minimum of (3) years of experience in sports program administration (E.g., responsibilities encompassing two or more of the larger, primary responsibilities above; athletic director, athletic program coordinator, etc.)

Supervisory experience preferred

Other Requirements:

This role requires a non‑traditional schedule, which includes evening and weekend hours based on the individual school’s needs, which may change seasonally; Start, end, and lunch period times are designated by the Principal, and the standard schedule must provide after‑school coverage for athletic practices, games, and events

Access to reliable transportation for is required

Successful completion of all Illinois High School Athletic Association (IHSA) trainings is required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong understanding of relevant athletic administration rules, regulations, policies, and procedures

Exceptional organizational and time management skills

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 effectively recruit and 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

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.