High School Athletic Director

The Athletic Director leads, manages, and executes all aspects of the North Star High School athletic program. The Athletic Director is responsible for fostering a culture of academic and athletic excellence, ensuring compliance and safety, managing operational logistics, supporting student-athlete development, and leading coaching staff.

Responsibilities

1. Department Leadership & Vision

• Mission Alignment: Develop, articulate, and enforce a clear, ambitious mission statement for school athletics that aligns with the academic mission of the school and sets clear expectations for coaches, student-athletes, parents, and the community.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Implement high-leverage innovations within the athletic department to dramatically improve student performance while preserving and enhancing the school’s core values.

2. Student, Family, & Coaching Staff Management

• Department Culture: Foster a respectful, highly collaborative environment where students and coaches demonstrate leadership. Model asset-based thinking through praise, aspiration, and positive behavior reinforcement.

• Academic Monitoring & Support: Establish systems to monitor the academic achievement of all student-athletes. Partner with coaches, teachers, Special Education Coordinators, social workers to support students with IEPs, BIPs, 504 plans, and English Language Learners.

• Coach Recruitment & Development: Recruit, select, and retain highly qualified coaching staff. Provide ongoing feedback, ensure practices meet school standards, and conduct formal end-of-season evaluations.

• Family Engagement: Proactively communicate program schedules, deadlines, and key updates to families. Respond to family inquiries within 24 hours.

• K-16 Pipeline & Pathways: Collaborate with middle school leaders and coaches to create seamless transitions to high school athletics. Work with the College Placement team to ensure student-athletes are on track for post-secondary and collegiate athletic opportunities.

3. Operations, Logistics, & Compliance

• Budget & Financial Management: Develop, monitor, and manage the athletic budget in alignment with school priorities. Ensure timely payments to officials, facilities, and vendors, and actively pursue fundraising opportunities to support program needs.

• Systems & Safety: Ensure all student-athletes obtain physicals and required paperwork prior to participation. Design and execute comprehensive safety and security plans for home events in coordination with security and athletic trainers.

• Media & Digital Presence: Build, elevate, and manage a dynamic, engaging, and highly organized media presence. Maintain up-to-date, accurate program information on the athletic website and leverage social media platforms to highlight student-athlete accomplishments, promote upcoming events, foster community engagement, and strengthen school spirit.

• Scheduling & Transportation: Schedule rigorous, appropriate competition seasons and oversee timely transportation/bus scheduling. Promptly inform all stakeholders of schedule modifications or cancellations.

• Public Relations & Event Management: Cultivate a sportsmanlike, welcoming atmosphere for visiting teams and patrons.

• Compliance & Governance: Maintain accurate eligibility records according to school and state standards. Enforce state, conference, district, and school regulations, manage coach certifications, and represent the school at state and county association meetings.

4. Professionalism & School Contributions

• Whole-School Leadership: Maintain positive, collaborative relationships with colleagues and actively participate in whole-school events and initiatives.

• Urgency & Standards: Communicate enthusiasm, high intensity, and a sense of urgency. Maintain professional attire, punctuality, and strict task/time management.

• Growth Mindset: Actively participate in professional development, seek internal/external learning opportunities, and quickly implement feedback from school leadership with openness.