Athletic Director - IDEA Greater Cincinnati (Future Vacancy for 2026-27)

Role Mission:  

The Athletic Director serves as the campus leader responsible for developing, managing, and executing a high-quality athletic program aligned to IDEA Public Schools’ mission. This role ensures athletics drives student engagement, academic success, and community connection while maintaining operational excellence and compliance. The Athletic Director will report to the Regional Director of Program Innovation and fulfill monthly time and effort expectations.

Athletics at IDEA is a strategic lever to prepare scholars for success in college, career, and life through discipline, teamwork, and character development.

What We Offer 

Compensation:  

• Compensation for this part-time role is a stipend of $10,000.Other Benefits:We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, covering the majority of the employee premium for the base medical plan and subsidizing the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children. Some of the special benefits we offer at IDEA include: 
  • Paid Family Leave: Eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, based on their tenure with the organization and caregiver designation.
  • Tuition Reimbursement: Staff members may apply for up to​ 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 maximum per year subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
  • Employer-Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: 5 face-to-face counseling sessions within a year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services available at no cost.

What You Bring -- Competencies:  

Qualifications: 

•        Education: Bachelor’s degree required with preference towards degree in Physical Education, Sports Management, or Sports Administration
•        Experience: 2-5 years of youth coaching experience in K-12 education and/or competitive AAU, club, or select sports.
•        License or Certification: Valid Pupil Activity Permit or the ability to obtain a Pupil Activity Permit

Knowledge and Skills: 

• Record of results managing sports logistics, parent communication, and creating a culture of high-expectations

What You’ll Do – Accountabilities: 

Program Leadership & Culture

• Build and sustain a strong, positive athletic culture that promotes teamwork, discipline, and character.
• Maintain consistent visibility on campus (2–3 weekly visits during school hours), conducting check-ins with coaches, players, and school leaders as applicable.
• Lead communication and engagement with students, staff, families, and community stakeholders.
• Facilitate preseason meetings with coaches, student-athletes, and families.
• Work side-by-side Regional Director of Program Innovation to develop and execute a clear vision and monthly process for an exemplar Sports Program

Operations & Execution

• Oversee all aspects of athletic program operations, including scheduling, transportation, and event management.
• Ensure seamless execution of all home games aligned to standardized game-day minute by minute procedures.
• Attend and supervise all athletic events (home and away) to ensure quality and safety.
• Coordinate practice schedules and ensure clear communication to all stakeholders.
• Lead sport-specific coaches in the distribution, inventory, and collection of uniforms and equipment.
• Lead management of transportation fleet/van collaboration and coordination of student athlete transportation via transportation partner (First Student)
• Coordinate referees and officials for home events (via Dragonfly)

Compliance & Eligibility

• Ensure full compliance with IDEA policies, Athletic Playbook standards, and OHSAA regulations.
• Verify coach certifications, agreements, and required documentation (e.g., Pupil Activity Permits).
• Monitor student-athlete eligibility, including academics, physicals, and required forms.
• In partnership with school Student Information System Coordinator/registrar, create reports to determine student eligibility

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Deliver weekly communication to staff, families, and stakeholders with key athletic updates.
• Maintain strong relationships with campus leadership through regular check-ins.
• Lead bi-weekly to monthly meetings with coaching staff to ensure alignment and accountability.
• Promote athletics through campus visibility (announcements, flyers, events).

Program Development & Impact

• Support student participation, attendance, and persistence through athletics.
• Foster partnerships and community engagement opportunities.
• Contribute to building a competitive and sustainable athletic program.
• Design and execute a scope and sequence for professional development for coaches
• Facilitate monthly observations of coaching staff at athletic events adhere to staff development cycle according to district's vision
• Lead sourcing, selection, and hiring of coaching staff

We look for Team and Family who embody the following values and characteristics:  

• Believes and is committed to our mission and being an agent of change: that all students are capable of getting to and through college   
• Has demonstrated effective outcomes and results, and wants to be held accountable for them  
• Has a propensity for action, willing to make mistakes by doing in order to learn and improve quickly  
• Works with urgency and purpose to drive student outcomes  
• Thrives in an entrepreneurial, high-growth environment; is comfortable with ambiguity and change  
• Seeks and responds well to feedback, which is shared often and freely across all levels of the organization  
• Works through silos and forges strong cross-departmental relationships in order to achieve outcomes  
• We believe in education as a profession and hold ourselves to high level of conduct, professionalism and behaviors as models for our colleagues and students  
• Demonstrates problem solving, adaptability and flexibility. 
• Good mathematical skills and basic finance understanding. 

About IDEA Public Schools   

At IDEA Public Schools, we believe each and every child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA Public Schools has grown from a small school with 150 students to a multi-state network of tuition-free, Pre-K-12 public charter schools.     

IDEA Public Schools boasts national rankings on The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report’s top high schools lists. IDEA serves over 80,000 college-bound students in 143 schools across Texas, Florida, Ohio, and is on-track to maintain its legacy of sending 100% of its graduates to college.      

When you choose to work at IDEA, you are part of our IDEA Team and Family. You will work alongside team members who set and reach ambitious goals every day, are excited to continue to grow with IDEA, and work relentlessly to make college for all a reality.  

At IDEA the Staff Culture and Belonging Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members.  Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values

To Apply  

Please submit your application online through Jobvite. It’s in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.