School Athletic Director (Lic-requires ADMIN Certificate))

Chicago Public Schools; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Chicago Public Schools seeks a Licensed School Athletic Director to lead a comprehensive high school athletics program. You will supervise coaches, manage budgets, oversee safety, and coordinate with IHSA and district policies to ensure student eligibility and program success.

The role requires a valid PEL and administrative endorsement, plus 5+ years in interscholastic sports and at least 3 years in administration. Expect evening/weekend hours and district-wide collaboration.

Qualifications

• 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 years’ experience in interscholastic sports and at least three years in sports program administration.
• Supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive high school athletics program.
• Provide on-site coverage for athletic practices, games, and events.
• Ensure safety protocols, discipline processes, and building access management.
• Administer extracurricular athletic programs, manage budgets, transportation, and facilities.
• Coordinate with IHSA, OSA, and district policies; maintain records and eligibility reporting.
• Hire, supervise, and evaluate coaching staff; ensure CPS/state certification compliance.

Education

Bachelor's degree

PEL and Administrative Endorsement

NIAAA RA A preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Google Suite

Web content editing software

Job description

CPS Careers | Search | Apply | Get Hired

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.

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 extracurricular 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 hool 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 ruits, screens, interviews, and re comens pros pe c tive co
• Mak es coac 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 coachi ng staff a nd oth er athletic staff
• Supervises part-time student help, including clinical hours
• Develops and applies a coaching evaluation system
• Supports op port i ties for profess io nal develo pment for the coach ing s taf f
• Monitors staff time and at tenda nce at p ro effective ...
• Investigates complaints ...
• Other duties as assigned

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.