Director of Athletics

**Priority application deadline is December 4, 2026

To view the entire opportunity statement as a pdf, please visit this link. (https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1793033170/lwhsorg/fzw5qurrae85uklwpriw/DirectorofAthleticsOpportunityStatement_Final.pdf)

Semi final round: Week of January 25, 2027

Final round (on-site): Week of February 8, 2027

Start date: July 1, 2027

Reports to: Head of School

ABOUT LWHS

A private school with public purpose, Lick-Wilmerding High School develops the head, heart, and hands of highly motivated students from all walks of life, inspiring them to become lifelong learners who contribute to the world with confidence and compassion.

LWHS serves 560 students in grades 9-12 in San Francisco. Since its founding in 1895 as a vocational school, Lick-Wilmerding has built upon a long tradition of valuing and integrating the liberal arts, sciences, technical arts, visual arts and performing arts to offer a robust college-prep curriculum. LWHS has a rich and distinctive academic program, with thriving departments, vibrant student life, and signature initiatives like the Center for Civic Engagement and the Public Purpose Program. Faculty and students are passionate, engaged, and driven by values that reach far beyond the classroom.

We are a diverse, inclusive and intentional community that values...

- keeping BELONGING at our core, by centering care, kindness and compassion and recognizing our essential interconnectedness.

- elevating the pursuit of EXCELLENCE , by striving to do common things uncommonly well in the spirit or inquiry, exploration, discovery and growth.

- upholding a commitment to CRAFT , by encouraging all members of the community to iterate, improve, and think creatively in order to hone their skills.

- cultivating OPTIMISM , by believing in our collective capacity to build a more just world through service, engagement with our communities and an orientation towards hope.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Director of Athletics is a pivotal and highly visible role at Lick-Wilmerding High School and reports directly to the Head of School. After forty years of leadership, the current director of athletics, Eliot Smith, will retire at the end of 2026-27 school year. This marks the departments first leadership transition in four decades, and Eliot leaves behind a program that is deeply valued for its accessibility, inclusiveness, and contribution to student belonging. At LWHS, the athletic program cultivates an environment where students feel comfortable trying sports theyve never played before, find community on their teams, and grow into meaningful contributors. The current director of athletics has built longterm relationships with students, coaches, families, alumni, and external partners which have shaped the character of LWHS athletics. The incoming director will inherit a strong foundation and a community deeply invested in its success, with an exciting opportunity to define the programs next chapter.

The Director of Athletics will be responsible for developing and implementing a clear, mission-aligned vision for the athletic program. The director will oversee the departments day-to-day operations, with the support of two associate athletic directors and a sports performance support specialist. Currently, the Athletics program at LWHS is comprised of 21 programs representing 14 different sports at the Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Frosh/ Sophomore levels. More than 75% of the student body participates in athletics each year. The current director stewards the schools essential partnership with our neighbor, City College of San Francisco, which provides fields and facilities in an urban setting where space is an incredibly important resource. The next director will provide steady, consistent leadership for the department and invest in the growth and development of its existing staff.

Stakeholders across campus see clear opportunities ahead: strengthening coaching recruitment and development, continuing to build consistent systems and communication, ensuring equitable support and recognition across all sports and genders, and integrating athletics more fully into the life of the school. The ideal candidate will not be the person who promises the most wins, nor someone who simply maintains the status quo, but a visionary leader who takes the time to understand the program, honors its history, and makes meaningful change in a way that brings students, coaches, families, and the broader community along. The director of athletics will serve as a member of the senior leadership team, and report to the head of school. The start date for this position is July 1, 2027.

ATHLETICS AT LWHS

At LWHS, athletics is built on the qualities that last well beyond high school, as students are encouraged to develop their head, heart, and hands in every part of their experience. Two ideas guide the program. The first, put your foot in the circle , reflects the belief that every student should have the courage to try, which is why there are no cuts at the frosh and soph level. The second, champions find a way , asks student-athletes to focus on what makes success possible rather than on obstacles. Underlying both is a simple belief: if every student-athlete improves each year and every team gets better, the results will follow. Here, belonging and competitive excellence flourish together.

LWHS teams compete in the Bay Area Conference (BAC), one of the most competitive small independent school leagues in California; the BAC comprises four distinct leagues, and LWHS competes in the BCL-West. The Athletics Department nurtures the skills, character, and inclusivity of student-athletes from all walks of life, building confidence and compassion through athletic competition. We value a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture for all of our student-athletes. The next Director of Athletics will be the steward of this philosophy, carrying it forward with every coach, family, and student-athlete.

Today, the LWHS Athletics program is strong: our students achieve at high levels individually, our teams compete for and win championships, and student participation continues to climb.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

- Bachelors degree required

- Valid California drivers license and clean driving record required

- Current CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain before the season begins

- NFHS coaching certification highly preferred

EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

- 7–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in athletics administration, high school, higher education, or a similar organization

- Demonstrated success in coaching, coaching development, hiring, and performance management

- Demonstrated success leading large, multifaceted organizations through periods of growth, change, and strategic evolution

- Experience managing complex budgets, personnel, and organizational resources

- The ability to build and maintain clear operational systems and policies across a large, multi-season program with competing demands on time and space

- Strong understanding of school culture and the role athletics plays in advancing institutional mission, enrollment, student experience, and community engagement

- Knowledge of current trends affecting school athletics, including student-athlete wellness, club sports, specialization, college recruitment, and changing parent expectations

- Proficiency with Mac, iPad, and Google Workspace, and a learners mindset when it comes to adopting new technology and programs

PERSONAL AND LEADERSHIP QUALITIES

- A genuine passion for coaching and student-athlete development

- A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, an understanding of diverse cultures and experiences, and an awareness of implicit bias

- An ability to create and maintain positive, supportive, and trusting relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives

- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, including the ability to work with stakeholders and contribute positively to organizational morale

- A detail-oriented, organized, and analytical approach to managing schedules and logistics, with a genuine interest in improving how the department runs

- A willingness to participate fully in the life of the school, with the understanding that the role regularly requires evening and weekend availability for games, events, and other athletic and community activities

TO APPLY

To apply, please submit all of the following:

- A cover letter introducing yourself to the LWHS Director of Athletics search committee

- Your CV or resume

- Four professional references ; include each person's name, current organization, title, phone number, email, and connection to you. We will not contact any references without first obtaining your permission.

- A response to the following prompt: In 250 words or less, please share your coaching philosophy and your approach to building an inclusive and motivating athletics program.

LWHS is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. LWHS prohibits in all its programs, including hiring and employment practices, discrimination or harassment against any member or group based upon race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, medical condition (including pregnancy), genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other category protected under California or federal law, except in the case of a bona fide occupational qualification.