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Director of Sports Challenge

Job Description

Background

Strive is a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading the power of character-driven leadership. We deliver dynamic experiences in sport, school and community spaces. With over twenty years of robust research based curriculum, we develop leaders who are prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century.


Strive’s foundational program, Sports Challenge, develops character-driven leaders on and off the field, applying the rigor of sports training to the practice of leadership. We bring together a diverse group of high school student-athletes to play soccer or basketball at a competitive level. This highly demanding, yet nurturing, program offers a unique 1:5 coach:athlete ratio. Sports Challenge takes place over five days, where student-athletes learn and work together, immersed in a growth-mindset culture.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Strive is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals to apply regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy status, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, and/or any other characteristics unrelated to merit.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

How we define Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Strive

Diversity: Who’s present? Who is not? 

The understanding that each individual is different; the recognition of our differences as it relates to the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.

 

Equity: Does everyone have access to resources that meet their needs?

The presence of structural factors that benefit all individuals, groups, and communities; an intentional effort to transform the status quo by providing opportunity and resources for those who have historically not had access.

 

Inclusion: Does everyone feel included? 

A state of belonging and connection; the act of including and supporting people who have historically been marginalized or excluded.

 

How You Lead Matters

Strive’s purpose is to spread the power of character-driven leadership. We know that effective and successful leaders are self-aware and bring their full identities and values to any situation. Through social-emotional learning and character-driven leadership, we believe that anyone can lead and that when everyone brings their differences and individuality to the table, we are all more motivated, innovative, and collaborative.

 

Strive is committed to ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds have the opportunity to become character-driven leaders through our intentionally designed social-emotional learning curricula and programs. 

 

We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment. 

We know that modeling and leading by example is an integral part of leadership, and we therefore strive to always put our core values into action.

The Director of Sports Challenge (SC) is a position for a highly motivated, organized educator and administrator with a passion for leadership development through athletics. The chief responsibility of this position is to provide oversight, direction, mentorship and guidance to the highly talented SC staff throughout the planning and execution of the program. Additionally, this person will focus on ensuring continuity between the planning and execution phases of SC, and that the curriculum reflects the Strive: How You Lead Matters approach to effective leadership development. 

 

The Director of Sports Challenge will work to ensure the cultural and administrative success of the program.  They will report to the Executive Director and the Director of Operations at Strive. 

Roles & Responsibilities:

Pre- Sports Challenge:

  • Support recruitment and admissions process 

  • Collaborate with Strive staff on staff training curriculum, student-athlete curriculum and program schedule

  • Participate in meetings with Strive team on a regular basis leading up to Sports Challenge, more frequently in May and June

  • Develop and lead staff training in conjunction with Strive staff

  • Assist with Sports Challenge Campaign and soliciting in-kind donations

During Sports Challenge:

 

  • Serve as lead culture creator and keeper among student-athletes and staff

  • Provide a safe, caring, positive environment for student-athletes and staff

  • Serve as a mentor and supervisor to SC coaches, including overseeing and implementing formal observation and feedback processes

  • Implement and lead daily Athletic Program Director check ins

  • Implement and lead daily administrative staff check ins

  • Coordinate and communicate with facility staff 

  • Responsible for the care of facility

  • Serve as point of contact to student-athlete parents/guardians during program

  • Coordinate illness/injury care for student-athletes

  • Coordinate and implement program-wide daily activities, including Vitamins (circuit training) sessions, SC Games, and Leadership Forums

  • Oversee Athletic Trainers

  • Coordinate student-athlete surveys

  • Other responsibilities as assigned by Strive’s Executive Director and Director of Operations

Post- Sports Challenge:

  • Perform evaluations for all SC staff

  • Complete debriefs with Athletic Program Directors

  • Participate in program debriefs with Strive staff

  • Coordinate sending student-athlete letters

Schedule & Stipend

  • Pre-Sports Challenge, February thru June: remote, approx 5 hours per week
  • During Sports Challenge Staff Training & Program: on campus at Sanford School
  • Sports Challenge Staff Training: June 23 – June 24, 2023, 7am-6pm daily
  • Sports Challenge Program Dates: June 25 – June 30, 2023, 7am-6pm daily
  • Post-Sports Challenge, thru July 14: remote, approx 20 hours per week
  • Stipend: $2000

Qualifications & Requirements

  • Minimum of 5 years of coaching, teaching and administrative experience with track record of success

  • Ability to effectively create and support relationships with schools, student-athletes and their families, and staff

  • Have sound knowledge and understanding of teaching and coaching best practices, theories an implementation, as well as theories and practices of leadership development

  • Have sound knowledge and understanding of competitive landscape of high school athletics

  • Demonstrate ability to create a positive culture

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

  • Excellent problem solving skills

  • Strong public speaking skills; ability to conduct engaging presentations 

  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities

  • Ability to learn new technology application

  • Proficiency in Google Drive

  • Please be prepared to use your personal laptop

Our Core Values & Principles

Strive upholds the following core values, and expects all employees to do the same.

  • Know Thyself 

  • Fill Tanks

  • Brush It Off and Grow

  • Be Fair and Honest 

  • Choose Laughter

  • Stick With It 

  • Find the best in yourself so that you can inspire the best in others

 

 

 

To Apply Email your resume and cover letter to Krista@striveleadership.org by March 1st 2023

Apply Now!

Apply Now

Please email your resume and cover letter to us at admin@striveleadership.org to be considered for the Director of Sports Challenge position.

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