University of Denver Seeks Head Coach

Fasterskier; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 78,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Denver in Denver seeks a Head Nordic Skiing Coach to organize and administer all aspects of the varsity program, including coaching, recruiting, event scheduling, and budget management. The role requires commitment to inclusive excellence and compliance with NCAA and RMISA rules.

The successful candidate will lead a program emphasizing student development, competitive scheduling, and community engagement, while mentoring staff and promoting a positive, professional culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Successful coaching experience.
• Successful recruiting of student-athletes committed to academic and athletic excellence.

Responsibilities

• Recruit quality student-athletes capable of pursuing a baccalaureate degree and achieving an exemplary graduation rate while managing a cost-effective and administratively efficient program.
• Demonstrate excellent teaching and coaching competencies with regard to sport skill instruction, motivation, and tactical strategies, while designing a competitive schedule that maximizes student-athlete development and performance.
• Provide leadership in the personal development of student-athletes by projecting a positive and professional image, including opportunities for social, emotional, and academic development that align with the University’s 4-D experience model.
• Initiate and participate in public relations, marketing, and fundraising activities to advance the University’s and Division’s reach locally as well as nationally.
• Mentor, train and supervise assistant coaches with the goal of developing their coaching capabilities.
• Exhibiting the highest professional standards and ethical behavior about adherence to NCAA, Conference, University, and the Division of Athletics rules and regulations.
• Proactively uphold the outstanding working relationships within the Division and the University.
• Assuming other duties as assigned by the Vice Chancellor of Athletics & Ritchie Center Operations

Skills

Coaching

Recruiting

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

About the University of Denver

Located where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, the University of Denver embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery that defines our region and our history. DU is a private institution built on exploration through research and collaboration among educators, students, and local and global communities. With nationally recognized academic programs, a history of widespread influence, a forward-looking vision for a 21 st -century education, and a deep commitment to promoting inclusion, we open a world of opportunity to students and empower them to make a difference around the world. Through the 4D experience, learning, scholarship and practice, students gain the experience, knowledge, and courage they need to tackle big challenges in the real world and guide diverse communities and organizations.

About the University of Denver

Located where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, the University of Denver embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery that defines our region and our history. DU is a private institution built on exploration through research and collaboration among educators, students, and local and global communities. With nationally recognized academic programs, a history of widespread influence, a forward-looking vision for a 21 st -century education, and a deep commitment to promoting inclusion, we open a world of opportunity to students and empower them to make a difference around the world. Through the 4D experience, learning, scholarship and practice, students gain the experience, knowledge, and courage they need to tackle big challenges in the real world and guide diverse communities and organizations.

University of Denver’s Andreas Kirkeng in 2024. (Photo: Tobias Albrigsten/UnTraceableGlobal.com)

About Pioneer Athletics Mission

At the Division of Athletics, we build Pioneers for life through excellence, character, and connection. We operate with a competitive and academic championship mindset; and we create and foster a winning culture every day. Inspired by our location in the Rocky Mountain West, we always find a better way forward; we work with optimism, passion, grit, and integrity. We forge lasting relationships one interaction at time; and our value to the University of Denver is the degree to which we offer connection points to a broad and diverse community. That’s why we’re always looking ahead, and not just to the next championship. We’re always looking at what’s next for you and how we can help you build a life and career you’re proud of.

About Pioneer Athletics Tradition

The University of Denver has a proud athletic tradition that compliments the school’s academic endeavors. In its history, DU has won 34 national championships and enables student-athletes to compete on 18 NCAA Division I teams. The Pioneers pursue championships, excel academically, and represent both the University and their respective conferences to the best of their abilities.

Position Summary

The Head Nordic Skiing Coach will be responsible for organizing and administering all aspects of the varsity program, including: coaching, recruiting, event scheduling, supervision of program personnel, fund-raising, marketing, budget management and compliance with NCAA and the RMISA rules/regulations. The Head Coach will embrace and model a positive coaching philosophy and associated techniques, insisting on a culture of respect and positive communication, as well as collaboration with internal departments of the division and the university. The Head Coach will also demonstrate an on-going commitment to the principles of multiculturalism and diversity through hiring practices, training and development programming, campus collaborations, or involvement and participation in university/divisional equity, inclusion and diversity projects and initiatives.

Essential Functions

• Recruit quality student-athletes capable of pursuing a baccalaureate degree and achieving an exemplary graduation rate while managing a cost-effective and administratively efficient program
• Demonstrate excellent teaching and coaching competencies with regard to: sport skill instruction, motivation, and tactical strategies, while also designing a competitive schedule that maximizes student-athlete development and performance
• Provide leadership in the personal development of student-athletes by projecting a positive and professional image, including opportunities for social, emotional, and academic development that align with the University’s4-D experiencemodel
• Initiate and participate in public relations, marketing, and fundraising activities to advance the University’s and Division’s reach locally as well as nationally
• Mentor, train and supervise assistant coaches with the goal of developing their coaching capabilities
• Exhibiting the highest professional standards and ethical behavior about adherence to NCAA, Conference, University, and the Division of Athletics rules and regulations
• Proactively uphold the outstanding working relationships within the Division and the University
• Assuming other duties as assigned by the Vice Chancellor of Athletics & Ritchie Center Operations

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills required, including communication (direct feedback) and public relations
• In-depth understanding of the sport from the fundamental skills to advanced tactics and strategy, including the ability teach and educate Student-Athlete’s and coaching staff. Stays up-to-date with new research and collaborates with coaching colleagues to learn and implement best practices
• Modeling and implementing a personal and professional growth strategy for Student-Athletes and assistant coaches by learning and developing new techniques to support knowledge attainment
• The ability to display passion and positively motivate/inspire Student-Athletes and coaching staff to generate the desire to excel in academics and athletics
• Exhibiting the highest professional standards, integrity, and ethical behavior in regard to NCAA, Conference, University, and Division of Athletics rules and regulations
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to an ever-evolving athletic landscape

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Successful coaching experience
• Successful recruiting of Student-Athlete’s committed to academic and athletic excellence

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Successful collegiate head coaching experience

Working Environment

• Standard office environment
• Noise and stress level is moderate to high and fluctuates through the season
• Possible Outdoor work in all types of weather
• Frequent travel may be required

Norway’s Andreas Kirkeng, racing for the University of Denver, skied away from the men’s pack at U.S. Nationals on Sunday. (Nathaniel Herz/FasterSkier)

Physical Activities

• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 50 lbs. with assistance. Some manual labor is required.
• Position involves both sedentary work and work on different fields and on other fitness environments while coaching and training situations with student-athletes.

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.Occasional travel or weekend hours required.

Salary Grade Number

The salary grade for the position is 12.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $78,000-$88,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

• The University of Denver offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass.

Please include the following documents with your application

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker’s Rights (“POWR”) Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver’s Non‑Discrimination‑Statement .

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.

Advertised: July 14, 2025
Applications close: Open until filled