Position Summary: The Head Coach is responsible for leading, managing, and developing Taylor University’s Cross Country team. The Head Coach serves as an active participant in the athletic department and manages all aspects of the program including recruitment, budget management, fundraising initiatives, and spiritual discipleship of team.

Duties and Responsibilities

This position is primarily responsible to: 

• Testify to personal experience of salvation in Jesus Christ, affirm belief in the University’s Statement of Faith, abide by and practice our Life Together Covenant, and both personally agree with and support the Foundational Documents of Taylor University. 
• Direct and oversee all coaching duties for athletic program, including recruiting, training, and coaching student-athletes participating in the sport. 
• Provide technical expertise in the fundamentals of the sport.
• Create an environment which is consistent with the values of Taylor University and the Athletic Department; enables a quality, competitive sports program; and supports the educational goals of individual student-athletes. 
• Develop a strategy to identify and recruit student-athletes focused on athletic performance, academic excellence, and spiritual development, directing all recruiting activities and team member selection. 
• Develop and implement a retention plan. 
• Organize, schedule, prepare, and conduct all individual and team practices, training, and competition, taking steps to prevent injuries of student-athletes. 
• Monitor academic progress of each participating student-athlete and provide opportunities for academic assistance if required. 
• Manage daily operations of the athletic program including budgeting and fundraising, ensuring best practices are followed. 
• Direct, supervise, and coordinate work of assistant coaches, provide guidance on university policy and coaching philosophy; encourages professional development of coaching team. 
• Innovate ways to continually improve the program in ways that support team unity and foster the spiritual development and discipleship of student-athletes. 
• Represent Taylor University and the sports program to various institutional programs and externally as appropriate. 
• Protect the integrity of Taylor University and the sport coached by ensuring program compliance with university policy, conference rules, and NAIA guidelines. 
• Other duties as assigned.  

Typical Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required
• At least three to five years’ experience in coaching at the intercollegiate level is preferred; however, extensive player experience at the collegiate level can be substituted for coaching experience
• Demonstrated proficiency in the sport

Skills and Competencies

• Engaging interpersonal skills to connect and effectively communicate with current and prospective student-athletes, parents, donors, stakeholders, and peers.
• Ability to supervise assistant coaches and student workers. 
• Skilled in communication—both verbally and in writing—with a diverse range of audiences and settings. 
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills.
• Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures and backgrounds.
• Ability to build and manage effective teams. 
• Effective conflict management skills.
• Strong public speaking skills and comfortable presenting information to large and small groups in professional and casual settings. 
• Excellent collaboration and team-building skills.
• Effective at coaching and delivering constructive feedback.
• Competent in using various computer software, including reporting tools and Microsoft Office suite.

Supplemental Information

• Physical Demands
  • Requires both sedentary work and long durations of movement about the workspace. 
  • Requires the ability to move and transport objects and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. 
• Work Environment
  • Work environment is varied, and locations may include a typical interior / office work environment, locker room, weight room, and gym. 
  • In-season travel for intercollegiate athletic competitions is required. 
  • Occasional off-season travel for recruiting may be required.
• Environmental Conditions
  • No or limited exposure to physical risk.