ATHLETIC DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION 2026-27

Athletics play an integral role in Christ School’s mission to produce educated men of good character, prepared for both scholastic achievement in college and productive citizenship in adult society. Founded in 1900, we pride ourselves on offering 300-plus students in grades 8-12 a rigorous curriculum and relational learning experience that develops the whole boy.

Christ School is located just outside of Asheville, N.C., and represented by 19 teams in 11 sports. Traditional championship sports are supplemented by a robust, year-round Outdoor Program that utilizes western North Carolina’s natural resources.

Our teams excel at the highest level in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA). They have won a combined 27 state championships, with 10 coming since 2020, the most during that span by any boys athletic program in the NCISAA. Success is not determined solely by wins and losses. We have had 10 student-athletes continue their careers at Ivy League colleges since 2020. Christ School’s 2025 Fall All-Academic Team, comprised of 12 athletes from cross country, football, and soccer, had weighted grade-point averages that ranged from 4.67 on the low end to a pair of 5.0 GPAs. 

Christ School’s next Athletic Director should embrace the challenge of building on this excellence by being an energetic and mission-oriented individual. They should be visible at games, matches, and meets, as well as other school community functions. The Athletic Director will be accessible and thoughtful in their interactions with families. They will be a trusted mentor to all athletes and coaches, and a collaborative partner as a member of the school Leadership Team.

Position Description

Location: Arden, North Carolina
Reports to: Assistant Head of School
Status: Full-time (12-month with summer responsibilities); Exempt; Leadership Team member

Purpose of the Role

The Athletic Director (AD) advances Christ School’s mission by leading a comprehensive, character-forming, and highly competitive athletics program for boys. The AD unites strategic vision, operational excellence, and promotes a positive, formative culture across all teams and afternoon programs. The AD develops and maintains financial operations, including budgeting, and is responsible for hiring, supervising, and evaluating coaches and athletic staff.  In a boarding-school context, the AD is a visible, values-driven educator who aligns athletics with academics and residential life, stewarding a program that reflects Christ School’s Four Pillars and fostering a culture of excellence.

What Success Looks Like (12–18 Months)

• Mission & Culture: A school-wide athletics vision anchored in the Four Pillars, visible in team standards, practice habits, game conduct, and communications; noticeable gains in sportsmanship and program cohesion.
• People & Performance: A unified coaching cohort with clear roles, regular evaluations, and robust professional development; strong recruiting and retention of high-impact coaches and staff.
• Operations & Safety: Flawless home/away event execution; transparent eligibility, tryout, and selection processes; updated health, safety, and emergency protocols; a current Athletics Department Handbook.
• Compliance & NIL: Proactive compliance systems for all governing bodies; a practical Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) framework that includes policy, education for families, and guidance on intersections with need-based financial aid.
• Financial Stewardship: A balanced, data-informed budget and sustainable resource plan for equipment, travel, officials, staffing, and facilities.

Core Responsibilities

1) Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Lead and communicate a multi-year athletics strategy aligned with Christ School’s mission; define program standards, competitive aspirations, and player-development pathways.
• Establish a clear athletics culture and team identities consistent with the Four Pillars; model disciplined, value-centered leadership.
• Serve as an active member of the Senior Leadership Team; coordinate cross-campus initiatives, facility planning, and the responsible use of athletic venues by outside groups.
• Create, publish, and annually update the Athletics Department Handbook.

2) Compliance, Governance & NIL

• Ensure full compliance with NCISAA and all governing rules and regulations; maintain clear operating guidelines and department policies.
• Develop and oversee an NIL framework appropriate for secondary education, including policy, education for students and families, and guidance on implications for need-based financial aid.
• Establish and maintain systems for eligibility verification; ensure fair, transparent tryouts and dignified selection communications.
• Create and enforce health, safety, medical-clearance, and risk-management protocols, including emergency and security plans for all contests and practices.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation for compliance, events, and departmental operations.

3) Culture & Student-Athlete Formation

• Cultivate a climate of integrity, fair play, and graciousness in victory and defeat; uphold high standards for conduct, sportsmanship, and team representation.
• Support the holistic success of student-athletes — academic, behavioral, and developmental — in partnership with faculty, advisors, residential life, and athletic training.
• Guide families and students pursuing collegiate athletics; serve as a primary liaison for college coaches and recruiters.
• Build strong relationships with families, officials, fans, alumni, and the broader community.

4) People & Program Leadership

• Recruit, hire, onboard, mentor, and evaluate all athletic staff, including Associate/Assistant Athletic Directors, Program Directors, athletic trainers, and coaches.
• Oversee all coaching and staffing contracts, assignments, schedules, and expectations; hire seasonal coaches as needed when faculty are unavailable.
• Ensure all staff are trained and properly credentialed in organizational, health/safety, and program philosophies; provide equipment and supplies necessary for success.
• Promote continuous professional development through clinics, conferences, certifications, and in-house training.

5) Operations, Scheduling & Event Management

• Direct all afternoon sports and athletic programs; coordinate master calendars, practice/game schedules, transportation, and communications.
• Schedule contests and contract officials; deliver first-rate home game operations and manage all away-game logistics.
• Assess suitable competition and scheduling in partnership with Program Directors.
• Oversee cleanliness, readiness, and branding of facilities and equipment; supervise facility use by internal and external groups.
• Coordinate summer athletic camp opportunities in alignment with school standards and student safety.

6) Budgeting & Financial Stewardship

• Develop and manage the annual athletics budget, including travel, officials, equipment, staffing, and facilities needs.
• Exercise fiscal responsibility for all department contracts, purchases, and commitments; monitor and report on resource utilization.
• Forecast needs and steward investments to sustain quality and competitive standards across all programs.

7) Communications & External Relations

• Serve as the public face of Christ School Athletics; clearly communicate goals, expectations, and accomplishments to all constituencies.
• Represent Christ School at association and league meetings and at athletic events; maintain positive relationships with peer schools and officials.
• Collaborate with internal partners to highlight athletics in school communications and to support student-athlete recruitment to colleges.

Boarding-School Distinctives

• Lead within a seven-day residential community; coordinate closely with Residential Life, Health Services, academic leadership, and student life.
• Plan for weekend and overnight competitions; manage travel supervision and communication with families across varied schedules and time zones.
• Model high visibility and accessibility at practices, contests, and campus events, including evenings and weekends.
• Support a teacher–coach model where appropriate, aligning classroom expectations, advisory roles, and coaching responsibilities.

About Christ School

Christ School was founded in 1900 and is affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Located 9 miles south of Asheville, North Carolina, Christ School is an all-boys boarding and day school for grades 8-12. Students come from 16 states and 10 different countries. All world faiths are represented and welcomed at Christ School. www.christschool.org

Christ School is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or any other legally protected status.

How To Apply

The Finney Search Group has been engaged to provide candidates to the school. All interested individuals are encouraged to submit their resumes, a Statement of Athletic/Educational Philosophy, and references via https://www.thefinneysearchgroup.com/christ-ad-application

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, Sports Management, Educational Leadership, or a related field; current or attainable First Aid and CPR certification.
• Three to five or more years of athletic administration and/or coaching experience; experience in an independent/boarding school strongly preferred.
• Documented success leading people and complex operations; excellent written and oral communication skills across diverse constituencies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook Calendar; strong project management and prioritization skills.
• Alignment with Christ School’s mission and the formation of young men through athletics; commitment to integrity, sportsmanship, and the Four Pillars.

Preferred

• Master’s degree.
• Experience designing or implementing NIL policies and education appropriate for secondary-school environments.
• Record of success hiring, developing, and evaluating coaching staffs; comfort with a teacher–coach model.
• Familiarity with sports medicine, performance technology, and data-informed decision making in athletics.

Physical Demands, Work Environment & Travel

• Work in varied weather conditions and loud environments, including on fields and in sporting facilities with slippery or uneven surfaces.
• Regular local travel for competitions and meetings; occasional overnight and out-of-area travel as required.

About Christ School

Christ School is a college preparatory boarding and day school for boys located in Asheville, NC. We offer a competitive academic curriculum, intramural and varsity athletics, spiritual development and a work program open to students of all faiths and backgrounds from around the world. Christ School is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, handicap, veteran’s status, or any other legally protected status.

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