School Athletic Director (Lic)

CPS; United States; On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is seeking a Licensed School Athletic Director to lead a comprehensive high school athletics program. Reporting to the Principal and Executive Director, Sports Administration, the role requires valid PEL and PK–12 endorsement, and will oversee on-site practices, games, safety, records, schedules, transportation, and budgeting.

The successful candidate will manage policies, compliance, and the development of athletic handbooks, monitor student-athlete eligibility,

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.
• Developing Competitors and Mental Wellness through Positive Coaching Alliance offered or similar preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee development and implementation of a comprehensive high school athletics program.
• Provide on-site coverage of athletic practices, games, and events.
• Manage safety protocols, discipline, and building operations on-site.
• Administer extracurricular athletic programs, budgeting, equipment, and transportation.
• Develop handbooks, policies, and athletic program rules aligned with district policies.

Skills

Endorsements and licensure knowledge

Administrative leadership

Policy compliance

Communication and collaboration

Budget and finance understanding

Decision making under pressure

Technology literacy (MS Office)

Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Valid PEL and Administrative Endorsement / PK–12 Principal Endorsement

NIAAA Registered Athletic Administrator (RAA) preferred

Positive Coaches Alliance credential or equivalent preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Google Suite

Athletic program software

Job description

School Athletic Director (Lic)

Job Number:

P174793

Posting Date

: Aug 26, 2026, 12:00:05 AM

Primary Location

: North/Northwest Side-3030 North Mobile Avenue (Steinmetz College Prep)

JOB DESCRIPTION ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

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 ext****r****acurricular 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 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 sc****h****ool athletes****

• Complete incident reports for minor to traumatic injuries

• Organizes****,****plans, and coordinates departmental awards, including recognition of alumn****i,****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

• Recommen****ds****, supervises****,****and****evaluate****s staff (E.g., athletic support, trainers, Board employees who coach)****

and volunteer coaches) and student workers

• Rec****ru****its****,****screens****,****interviews, and re****commen****ds pros****p****ecti****ve 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 and have been properly cleared through the volunteer process or are actively staffed, stipend-eligible employees prior to each season

• Su****pervise****s and evaluates coachin****g staff a****nd oth****e****r athletic staff****

• Supervises part-time student help, including clinical hours

• 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****ance at p****r****of****e****s****i****o****nal****meet****i****ngs****

• Inv****estigate****s complaints regarding****employee****co****nduct 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 athlet****ic objectives of the d****i****str****ic****t****

• Ass****ists coa****ches in the handling of****day-to****-day problems, providing on-site support and supervision during games, athletic events, and after-school practices****

• Res****olves****s****t****aff problems and provid****es support****t****o****coach****e****s****

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

• Attends practices and games****f****or purposes of evaluation and needs asses****s****ment****

• Attends professional conferences to keep abreast of promising instructional practices

• Enforces the State and City board pol****i****cy 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****.****

• Investigates complaints and grievances

• Participates in the work of state and national assoc****i****ations****

• 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 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

• 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 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****announcements of****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****

• 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

• Completion of****++Developing Competitors and Mental Wellness through Positive Coaching++****offered through the****++Positive Coaches Alliance-++****preferred****

Required Experience:

• 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.