Laboratory Schools: Director of Athletics at The University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

Department



Lab School PE/Athletics



About the Department



At the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, students in Nursery through Grade 12 experience a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey as a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum, Lab continues to provide excitement and imagination in learning to this day. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Lab educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and pride themselves on innovation in the classroom. Students in every grade have access to unparalleled resources, and all members of the Lab community benefit by partnerships and connections with the University of Chicago. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity. No less than scholarship, Lab's mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab's student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members' identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community. Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of color, LGBTQ+ identified candidates, candidates from historically marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds, and candidates with a demonstrated commitment to a deepening diversity, equity, and inclusion practice. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment.



Job Summary



The renowned University of Chicago Laboratory Schools seek a seasoned, dynamic, visionary athletics leader to serve as our next Director of Athletics, effective July 2025. The Director of Athletics is responsible for the strategic direction, leadership, and oversight of a vibrant, robust Athletics Program at Lab. Boasting a strong record of competitive success and impressive levels of participation, Lab Athletics is celebrated in our community for its support of the schools' mission, delivery of a positive environment for students, and demonstrated history building time management skills, bringing balance to students' lives, and providing opportunities to develop deep and lasting friendships. The successful Director will bring vision and excitement to the next chapter of Lab Athletics, a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, a student-centered approach, and a community-oriented educational perspective. Reporting to the Associate Director of Schools (our seniormost program officer), the Director of Athletics holds a senior administrative leadership position at Lab and as such participates actively in broad strategic guidance for the Schools.


The job manages multiple related teams of managers and professional staff responsible for the University's athletics, fitness, and recreational sports programs. Develops campus-wide recreational programming to meet the demands of the University community.



Responsibilities

• As leader of Lab's Athletics Department, the Director of Athletics responsibilities include direct supervision of a team of five administrators that will expand to six; ensuring appropriate guidance and support for over 600 student athletes (335 high school, 270 middle school, and anticipated 250 in lower school) across 17 sports and over 50 teams; and guiding and supporting over 60 coaches in 94 coaching positions, as well as support staff.


• Oversees the recruitment, hiring, training, mentorship, evaluation, and professional growth of coaches from within Lab's faculty and staff community and beyond.


• Partners closely with the principals and deans of all four divisions at Lab, to sustain and further develop the link between Athletics and other programs and initiatives, including admissions, alumni relations and development, college counseling, student support services, and academic departments. In furtherance of Lab's mission imperative of honoring diversity, advances our aspiration of becoming an anti-bias, antiracist school, working closely with Lab's Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Director of Equal Opportunity Services.


• Works closely with Lab's Marketing and Communications department to adhere to both University of Chicago's and Lab's brand standards including the design of uniforms, signage, SWAG, and other hard goods; to effectively promote events and programs; and to develop, write, and disseminate (via the athletics website, e-mail, and social media platforms) stories that publicize the program, coaches, and student athletes.


• Oversees the use and coordination of Lab's Athletics facilities, partners with the University of Chicago regarding Lab's use of the University's swimming pool, tennis courts, indoor track, and baseball diamond.


• Coordinates the rental of community and public athletics facilities such as the Midway Plaisance, the Harold Washington Tennis Courts, the Ray and Joan Kroc Center Baseball Diamond, Jackson Park and Harborside golf courses, and Washington Park for cross-country running.


• Cultivates schoolwide pride in our student athletes' efforts and successes, as well as creating and maintaining systems and structures to provide robust communications with students, employees, parents, and alumni about Athletics initiatives and endeavors.


• Through their leadership, vision, and communications, fosters respect for Lab's mission and values among athletes, coaches, administrators, and supporters of the program, as well as enhancing character development, a sense of community spirit, and emotional development among student athletes.


• With strong institutional and community support, takes advantage of a number of rewarding opportunities and productively addresses challenges in the next chapter of Lab Athletics. Leads an inclusive process to discern a long-term strategic plan for Lab Athletic facilities.


• Reviews Lab School's participation-based (i.e., no cut) program approach and explores, evolves, and communicates the best philosophy and approach to support student athlete participation, inclusion, and competitiveness.


• Reviews the performance of teams and individual student-athletes in order to instruct and advise on technical, strategic, and mental development. Analyzes data and evaluates tapes in order to develop, implement, and teach game strategies.


• Counsels and advises student-athletes on their academic, personal, and physical conditions, consulting with the appropriate University staff as necessary.


• The Lab's Athletics program currently supports 65% of our students in Middle School and at University High School; this will expand to include support and growth for Lower School athletes.


• Manages campus-wide recreational programming.


• Develops and implements an overall recruiting plan. Determines fiscal requirements and prepares budgetary recommendations; monitors, verifies and reconciles expenditures of budgeted funds.


• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications




Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:




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Preferred Qualifications




Education:

• Bachelor's degree and advanced degree in relevant field.

Experience:

• Progressively responsible experience in athletic program administration.


• Background in coaching and/or teaching.


• Experience working in K-12 education.


• Working in a university or other complex bureaucracy.


• Experience successfully implementing a systems approach to athletic administration, including budget management, hiring, scheduling, facilities management, and communications.

Preferred Competencies

• Outstanding leadership and organizational skills, and proven success developing and implementing a complex, multifaceted Athletics program serving children and teens.


• Up-to-date awareness of best practices in coaching, professional development, program management, and community building.


• Strong supervision, mentorship, and support skills to foster a productive, collegial, and efficient working environment among Athletics administrative team and coaching staff.


• Ongoing commitment to learning and growth in skills, issues, and competencies relevant to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.


• Skill at building and sustaining excellent relationships at multiple levels with varied constituencies.


• Proven experience growing the diversity of a program or enterprise.


• Proven experience in developing inclusiveness, a culture of belonging, and a structure of equitable practices in Athletics and in the greater community.


• A student-centered approach to athletic administration and coaching.


• A proven record of establishing trust and respect within a community.


• A sense of humor and joy in working with children and teenagers, their families, and a school community.


• Collegial and collaborative leadership voice in relevant schoolwide topics and partner effectively with a wide variety of colleagues.


• Lead the Athletics program with a high level of visibility throughout the school day, during practices, and at competitions.


• Facility in navigating administration and bureaucracy of a complex organization.


• Collegial and collaborative leadership voice in relevant school wide topics and partner effectively with a wide variety of colleagues


• Facility in navigating administration and bureaucracy of a complex organization.


• Demonstrated ability to build community connections, including with leaders in outside programs and with those who oversee community facilities.


• Capacity to manage and navigate the expectations of invested and aspirational students and families with grace, compassion, appropriate boundaries, and self-care.


• Generate and promote support and excitement with regard to Athletics programming through appropriate communications, events, and initiatives.


• Maintain a calm and courteous demeanor and work productively despite competing priorities, complex problems, and tight deadlines.


• Handle public contacts with courtesy, clarity, and diplomacy.


• Handle sensitive and confidential situations and information with absolute discretion.


• Maintain Lab's membership and good standing with the Illinois High School Association.


• Ensure compliance with all athletic policies established by the Illinois State Board of Education for non-public schools, including serving as the school concussion oversight team lead.


• Serve as the lead for the interscholastic activities crisis plan.


• Support studentathletes seeking to continue their careers at the college level.

Working Conditions

• Move in and around the classroom/building to interact with students, faculty, staff, parents, and other members of the community.


• Move class-related equipment/tools, as appropriate, around school property.


• When appropriate, escort children from one classroom to another, in and out of the building during arrival and dismissal, and in an emergency situation.


• Demonstrate skills, when appropriate.

Application Docments

• Resume/CV (required)


• Cover Letter (required)


• Professional References Contact Information (3)(required)

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.



Job Family



Student Affairs & Services



Role Impact



People Manager



FLSA Status



Exempt



Pay Frequency



Monthly



Scheduled
Weekly Hours



40



Benefits Eligible



Yes



Drug Test Required



No



Health Screen Required



No



Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required



No



Posting Statement



The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.


Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.


We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.


All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.


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