Job Description

Portledge School Director of Athletics

Start Date: July 1, 2026

Compensation: $170,000-$180,000 annually

Website:

About Portledge School:

Portledge School was founded in 1965 and is located on the beautiful North Shore of Long Island. Approximately fifty minutes (28 miles) from NYC by train, Portledge is nestled on a pastoral 63-acre tree-lined campus that is known for its cherry blossoms in spring. Enrolling approximately 535 students in grades PN-12, Portledge offers a competitive college preparatory program in a warm, inclusive community. We seek to inspire our students to realize their individual potential by developing critical thinking skills and moral courage necessary for lifelong learning in an increasingly complex world. Portledge is fully committed to a culturally diverse faculty and student body.

Job Description:

Portledge School, a dynamic and student-centered independent school, is seeking a passionate and experienced Director of Athletics. This 12 month, full-time position reports to the Head of School and plays a vital role in fostering a vibrant and inclusive athletic program that supports the development of students both on and off the field. Through inclusive participation and purposeful competition, the Director of Athletics ensures that students develop skill, character, and a lasting commitment to teamwork, wellness, and community.

The Director of Athletics will oversee all aspects of the schools athletic programs, including strategic visioning, coaching, scheduling, and program development, while promoting sportsmanship, teamwork, and personal growth. This position requires weekday evening work and occasional weekend commitments to support events, practices, and competitions.

Responsibilities:

Portledge School is in the process of re-envisioning and refining its athletic program and offerings. The successful candidate will lead a major initiative to define the ultimate vision and effectively implement it over the next five years, with outstanding organization, clear, timely, accurate and proactive communication, and strong, collaborative leadership.

Fully and successfully administer the 5th12th grade athletics programs, ensuring high standards of performance, safety, and sportsmanship, including opportunities for student athletes to improve skills in developmentally appropriate ways in some grades and programs and to experience competitive success in others.

Effectively and efficiently provide clear, timely communication of schedules, updates, and information about all athletic procedures, initiatives and events to students, families, and other stakeholders and community constituents. Manage updates to Athletics website, calendar, Team Snap and other communication vehicles as needed.

Thoughtfully and effectively manage all Athletic Department staff, including the supporting administrative team, the athletic trainer, and head coaches.

Creatively, transparently, and carefully adhere to the Athletics Department budget and oversee resource allocation, collaborating with the CFO as needed.

Manage Athletic Department staff to ensure adequate staffing and transportation for all competitions, programs and events, and provide proper training in areas such as First Aid, CPR, AED, heat exhaustion, and concussion management.

Hire, retain and evaluate knowledgeable, personable and skilled coaches and support staff.

Develop and manage the annual calendar of athletic practices, competitions, and interscholastic games.

Coordinate facility setup and logistics for practices and games.

Represent Portledge professionally and effectively at league meetings, conferences, and other professional gatherings.

Foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment for all participants in the athletic program.

Manage, edit and update the Athletics Department Parent-Student Handbook as well as all athletic policies, procedures and student athlete documentation to ensure that all state & league requirements are met, and that all Parents, Coaches, and Student-Athletes are aware of the basic expectations therein.

Sit on the Senior Leadership Team; collaborate with other senior administrators, particularly the Divisional Directors and Director of Admissions, and participate in large school initiatives (ie: Strategic Planning, Accreditation, Founders Day, Admissions Open Houses) as needed

Perform other duties, including full organization of Blue/White Day (all school field day), as assigned to support the mission and success of the Athletic Department and Portledge School.

Qualifications:

Bachelors degree in a relevant field; advanced degree preferred.

Proven leadership, communication, organization, and management skills, including at least one experience in a visioning role as well as experience supervising staff and coaches.

Strong knowledge of athletics program development, sports safety, and compliance with league and school policies.

Experience managing budgets and resources effectively.

Knowledge of Blackbaud and Google Apps.

Familiarity with First Aid, CPR, AED, concussion management, and other student-athlete safety protocols.

Passion for athletics and the development of student-athletes

Belief in the value of all types of diversity, equity and an inclusive, positive, and student-centered athletic environment.

Evening and weekend presence is required to support athletic events.

Exceptional ability to communicate with multiple constituencies, both written and verbal, and comfort working in a fast-paced, collaborative setting.

Outstanding organization and attention to detail, as well as an ability to work within the big picture of the school.

A commitment to the qualities embodied by the Portledge pillars: Kindness, Purpose, Honor, Respect.

Application Notes:

Interested candidates should send their resume and cover letter to: leadershipsearch@educatorsally.com with Portledge Director of Athletics in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Priority will be given to those received before January 2, 2026.

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