Director, Cross Country & Track/Field Coach

DESCRIPTION

Otterbein University is seeking a dynamic and visionary Director, Cross Country & Track & Field Coach to lead and manage all aspects of its NCAA Division III men’s and women’s cross country and track & field programs. This position provides comprehensive oversight of program operations, competitive success, and strategic direction while fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion, academic achievement, and student-athlete development.

The Director serves as a leader within the Athletic Department, collaborating with campus partners, coaching staff, and student-athletes to ensure a high-quality and mission-aligned athletics experience. This is a full-time, exempt position working 40 hours per week, 12 months per year.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Leadership & Administration - Provide visionary leadership, strategic planning, and overall direction for all cross country and track & field programs, ensuring alignment with departmental and institutional goals. - Oversee all program operations including scheduling, travel coordination, competition management, equipment oversight, and budget administration. - Maintain consistent communication with the Director of Athletics and departmental leadership regarding program performance, strategic initiatives, and operational needs. - Assist with additional administrative duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics.

Coaching, Training & Student-Athlete Development - Design, organize, and implement comprehensive training, practice, and competition plans that promote athletic performance, health, and long-term student-athlete development. - Build and sustain a positive, inclusive, and high-performance team culture that prioritizes student-athlete growth, leadership development, academic success, and community engagement. - Monitor and support the academic progress, eligibility, and overall well-being of student-athletes in collaboration with the Office of Success and Career Development.

DESCRIPTION

Otterbein University is seeking a dynamic and visionary Director, Cross Country & Track & Field Coach to lead and manage all aspects of its NCAA Division III men’s and women’s cross country and track & field programs. This position provides comprehensive oversight of program operations, competitive success, and strategic direction while fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion, academic achievement, and student-athlete development.

The Director serves as a leader within the Athletic Department, collaborating with campus partners, coaching staff, and student-athletes to ensure a high-quality and mission-aligned athletics experience. This is a full-time, exempt position working 40 hours per week, 12 months per year.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Leadership & Administration - Provide visionary leadership, strategic planning, and overall direction for all cross country and track & field programs, ensuring alignment with departmental and institutional goals. - Oversee all program operations including scheduling, travel coordination, competition management, equipment oversight, and budget administration. - Maintain consistent communication with the Director of Athletics and departmental leadership regarding program performance, strategic initiatives, and operational needs. - Assist with additional administrative duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics.

Coaching, Training & Student-Athlete Development - Design, organize, and implement comprehensive training, practice, and competition plans that promote athletic performance, health, and long-term student-athlete development. - Build and sustain a positive, inclusive, and high-performance team culture that prioritizes student-athlete growth, leadership development, academic success, and community engagement. - Monitor and support the academic progress, eligibility, and overall well-being of student-athletes in collaboration with the Office of Success and Career Development. - Partner with athletic training staff and team physicians to ensure comprehensive care and risk management for student-athletes.

Recruiting & Program Growth - Lead all recruiting efforts, identifying and attracting student-athletes who align with the mission and values of Otterbein University and its athletics program. - Represent the program and University in a professional manner through engagement with alumni, community partners, and fundraising initiatives that support program growth and sustainability.

Competition & Event Management - Serve as Meet Director/Manager for hosting track & field competitions and assist with cross country meets, ensuring efficient execution and compliance with NCAA and conference standards. - Must be able to travel extensively and operate University vehicles, including passenger vans, when required.

Supervision & Collaboration - Provide direct supervision, mentorship, and evaluation of assistant coaches, the head cross country coach, and student employees, promoting professional growth and accountability. - Collaborate closely with the head cross country coach to ensure program alignment, shared philosophy, and seamless coordination across cross country and track & field seasons.

Compliance & Institutional Standards - Promote and ensure compliance with all University, NCAA, and Ohio Athletic Conference rules, policies, and procedures, including student conduct, equity and inclusion standards, and student-athlete welfare policies. - Must be knowledgeable of Otterbein University policies including, but not limited to: Hazing, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Sexual Violence, Discrimination and Intimidation, and FERPA. - Exercise sound, independent judgment in managing complex and competing priorities in a fast-paced intercollegiate athletics environment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide direct supervisory responsibility, leadership, mentorship, and evaluation for the Head Cross Country Coach, assistant coaches, and all program support staff, including student employees, ensuring accountability, collaboration, and ongoing professional development across the entire cross country and track & field program structure.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience - Bachelor’s degree in Health, Physical Education, or a related athletic field. - Experience and demonstrated success in collegiate teaching, coaching, and recruiting.

Skills & Competencies - Excellent verbal and written English communication skills, including grammar. - Strong interpersonal, supervisory, and organizational skills. - Knowledge of strength and conditioning for college athletes preferred. - Commitment to producing high-quality work and maintaining attention to detail. - Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment in new or unusual situations. - Ability to work independently while maintaining confidentiality. - Strong customer service orientation and ability to work collaboratively with diverse constituencies. - Competency in general math.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands include those associated with coaching, such as demonstrating skills, participating in practice activities, and working extended hours in varied indoor and outdoor weather conditions during practices, competitions, and travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Duties are primarily performed on athletic fields and in environments subject to heat, dust, and noise from participants and spectators.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Otterbein offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Tuition benefit to employee, spouse or domestic partner and dependents
• Accrue 4 weeks of paid vacation
• 10 days paid sick time
• 12 paid holidays plus bonus days
• Medical, dental and vision insurance to you, dependents or domestic partner
• Life Insurance
• Defined contribution retirement plan
• and much more

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind of level of difficulty.

Otterbein University’s achievement of academic excellence depends on its commitment to inclusion and belonging. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. Otterbein University is an EEO Employer.

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