Director, Sports Administration

Director, Sports Administration

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 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. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

As a unit within the Office of College and Career Success (OCCS), the Office of Sports Administration manages all CPS interscholastic sports programming and facilitates seasonal participation for both high school and elementary-level athletic competitions. CPS Athletics and Sports Programs provides all students, regardless of race, gender or ethnicity, opportunities to develop physically, mentally, and emotionally in controlled, safe activities outside of the traditional classroom. Participation in school sports provides students with experiences that foster character, citizenship, and academic achievement.

Job Summary:

The Director of Sports Administration will play a vital role in creating an environment that supports the educational and athletic development of students and positively contributes to their educational journey and overall success. This position will contribute to the development of dynamic and high-functioning sports programs, strategically aligning initiatives with district priorities, and ensuring compliance across all CPS sports programs at either the elementary or high school grade level. This position will provide strategic guidance and develop student engagement strategies to enhance participation in sports programming at the designated school level, fostering a culture of inclusivity and enthusiasm for athletic involvement. The Director of Sports Administration will establish collaborative partnerships with stakeholders to create post-secondary education opportunities for student-athletes, facilitating pathways for academic and athletic success beyond high school. This position will report to the Executive Director of Sports Administration and will lead a team of direct reporting professionals. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

This position will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

Provide strategic direction, leadership, and oversight of district sports programming at the designated school level

Lead the formulation of a long-term strategic vision for sports programming at the designated school level; collaborate with Sports Administration leadership and colleagues to ensure alignment across all programs

Develop and drive the implementation of new student engagement opportunities to increase participation in sports programming at the designated school level

Provide leadership and guidance to direct reports, including professional coaching, performance management, succession planning initiatives, and talent development programs within the sports department to provide support and prepare staff for career growth

Collaborate with existing external partners and seek out new partnerships to support post-secondary opportunities and education for parents and student-athletes using providers such as Honest Game

Develop and cultivate partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, and sports associations to enhance external alignment and support

Develop opportunities to showcase Chicago Public League (CPL) student-athletes abilities to college coaches to facilitate potential participation in post-secondary sports programs

Serve as the primary contact for Athletic Training Support Services (provided through external vendor ATI Physical Therapy) for student-athlete coverage

Partner with CPS Leadership at the Central Office and Network level to address unique and/or specific school-level needs

Ensure collaboration across OCCS teams and other CPS departments to support implementation, program monitoring, best practices sharing, and cross-functional and collective impact

Oversee and manage summer sports programs and special events at the designated school level

Collaborate and regularly communicate with Safety and Security to coordinate on-site support at CPS-hosted sporting events at the designated school level

Support student connectedness, belonging, engagement, and mentoring programs throughout the District

Other duties and workstreams as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, this position must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required

Master's degree, preferred

Experience Required:

Minimum of seven (7) years of full-time, professional experience in sports administration, including the following, is required:

Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a supervisory/manager position leading a team of direct reports

Experience with interscholastic and elementary sports, including management of multiple sports programs

Experience with sports program creation and implementation

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong leadership, management, and team building skills; capable of cultivating an atmosphere of responsiveness, respect, and teamwork, and developing high-performing teams united around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success in planning and managing athletic programs and activities

Knowledge and understanding of, and familiarity with Chicago Public Schools policies and the policies, procedures, and governing bodies for interscholastic sports, such as:

Illinois High School Association (IHSA)

National Federation of High Schools (NFHS)

Chicago Public League (CPL)

Excellent time and project management capabilities, including the ability to be successful in a fast-paced environment managing multiple priorities and projects concurrently and driving them to completion

Ability to articulate a vision, set high standards, and effectively guide team members, schools and principals in the realization of expectations set for their athletic program to meet student needs

Strong verbal and written communication skills (including presentations)

High levels of integrity, honesty, credibility, and the courage to make difficult yet necessary decisions

Effective strategic planning capabilities, including the ability to establish long-term vision and goals, and align/manage activities toward goal fulfillment

Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, to ensure the entire system operates in the most effective manner possible to support schools, students, and principals

Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps

Conditions of Employment:

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

Establish/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. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.