Hawken School is committed to doing school differently and better. This means developing an inclusive and accepting community where adults feel empowered to design experiences for youth to deepen their skills, engaging their emotions as well as their strengths and intellect. Hawken School seeks culturally competent coaches who are committed to equity and social justice, comfortable taking risks, and who embrace a growth mindset. Our coaches are constantly looking for new ways to inspire athlete passions and curiosity, while remaining dedicated to nurturing compassion and kindness in each athlete.
THE POSITION
Hawken School is seeking to hire a full-time, year-round, salaried Head Coach who is a dedicated and experienced coach to lead a high school and institution-owned competitive club program that seeks to develop the character and athletic skills of a diverse group of swimmers of all ages, with a wide range of ability levels. This Head Coach must develop the skills and talents of the team while promoting teamwork, sportsmanship, and encouraging development and excellence. The successful candidate will also collaborate with several key stakeholders, including school administrators, club board members, athletics and aquatics staff, community members, parents, and minor athletes to lead efforts that support the team mission and the growth and development of each swimmer.
DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Applicants should be prepared to balance the following Head Coach roles and responsibilities:
- Ensure the success of the varsity program at the highest level of the Northeast Ohio District and Ohio High School State Championships, while cultivating the junior varsity squad and middle school program
- Demonstrate excellence in coaching and the development of training plans for the high school swim team
- Determine high school meet schedule in collaboration with the Athletic Director and set coach schedules for meet attendance
- Communicate effectively with the athletic department, Hawken School Deans, CFO, administrative assistants, transportation providers, custodians, and the general public about student practice and competition schedules
- Develop meet lineups for regular season and championship competitions
- Effectively communicate with assistants, athletes, parents, and alumni
- Promote program internally and externally within the OHSAA guidelines
- Perform other duties as assigned by Hawken School Athletics administrators and the Head of School
- Lead the development, communication, and implementation of: team season planning; tryouts; practice schedules; meet schedules and coaching assignments; LESD coaching staff hiring and training mentoring processes; training group assignments; programming that fosters a culture of positive community building between club, middle school, and high school athletes
- Directly oversee the training of two or more practice groups
- Manage and mentor a dynamic group of coaches at multiple sites
- Collaborate with staff, parents, and volunteers to develop and implement effective communication practices (including, but not limited to, weekly communication to families), budget planning and maintenance, team policies and procedures, the execution of team-hosted events, and the organization and publication of team records and media
REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants should possess:
- A Bachelor’s degree and 3 or more years of USAS coaching experience
- Demonstrated team leadership and refined skills in high-quality athletic development
- Experience in aquatics and team management with a cohesive coaching philosophy that upholds the values of Hawken School
- Knowledge of the policies and guidelines of OHSSA and USA Swimming
- Demonstrated competence as a role model for athletes and other coaches
- Understanding of all facets of USAS competition administration, including familiarity with meet management tools such as TeamUnify, Hy-Tek, OME, and CTS (preferred)
- Demonstrated experience in building healthy, effective, authentic relationships with swimmers, families, staff, and the community
- Joyful enthusiasm for working with athletes of all ages and experience working in a diverse community
- An eagerness to grow a competitive swimming and aquatics program, including learn-to-swim lessons, camps, and clinics
ABOUT HAWKEN SCHOOL & THE LAKE ERIE SILVER DOLPHINS
Founded on the ideal that “the better self shall prevail and each generation introduce its successor to a higher plane of life,” Hawken School is a coeducational independent day school with over 1,600 students from toddler through grade 12. Our four campuses are located within 25 minutes of downtown Cleveland, with two campuses in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland, a campus on Cleveland’s west side, and a campus in University Circle, home to the Mastery School of Hawken and also our school-wide center for experiential and service learning. A nationally recognized leader in innovative programming, Hawken prepares students to meet the challenges of tomorrow's world.
The Hawken high school girls swim program currently holds the third longest state championship streak in the country, winning 21 Ohio State Championships in a row. The boys program won a state championship and was state runner-up 4 of the past 5 years, and both teams are well-positioned for the future. In total, Hawken has produced over 400 All-Americans, and has several state record holders currently on the team.
Lake Erie Silver Dolphins was founded in 1965, and is the premier swim club in the Lake Erie LSC with multiple practice locations in Northeast Ohio. The team is focused on developing nationally-ranked swimmers while aiding in each child's social, physical, and emotional growth. LESD has produced two Olympians and placed swimmers on sectional, national, and Olympic Trial meets. In addition, the team has ranked first in our LSC and won almost every LSC age group championship over the past 30+ years.
HOW TO APPLY
Salary is commensurate with experience. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume, along with three references, to .
Hawken School is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to promoting all forms of diversity in the workplace and in our student body. We strongly urge all qualified individuals to apply.
Job Type: Full-time
Ability to Relocate:
- Chesterland, OH 44026: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person