Athletic Director

Carney, Sandoe & Associates provided pay range

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$/yr - $/yr

Carney, Sandoe & Associates
, an educational recruitment organization partnered with Nichols School
, an independent school for grades 5-12, to find their next Athletic Director in Buffalo, NY
, with a start date of July 2026
.

Nichols School, located in one of Buffalo’s most attractive urban residential locations and founded in 1892, is a co-educational, independent college prep day school for grades 5-12. Known for its rigorous academics, small classes, dedicated teaching faculty, Nichols excels in developing well‑rounded, ethical individuals through strong academics, arts, athletics, and community life. The school’s mission statement – To train minds, bodies, and hearts for the work of life, and to carry into all we do the highest ideals of character and service – will be central to this role.

Nichols School emphasizes critical thinking, innovation, and a balanced life, and is consistently viewed as amongst the strongest schools in all of western New York state.

Nichols School boasts a competitive and comprehensive athletics department which aims to promote physical fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship among its students. The student/athlete experience is a crucial aspect of the school’s culture, and Nichols recognizes and celebrates the critical learning and development that athletics delivers, with the majority of our students participating on athletic teams. The school offers a range of sports for both boys and girls, catering to various interests and skill levels, serving approximately 60 athletics teams across grades 5-12.

We made a strategic decision to eliminate our football program due to the size of the school and the desire to redeploy those resources more productively across the Athletics Department.

• Wide Variety of Sports Programs
  :
  The school provides opportunities in various sports including but not limited to hockey, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, tennis, field hockey, cross country, and swimming. This variety allows students to explore their athletic interests across multiple athletic platforms.
• Competitive Teams
  :
  Nichols is part of the Western New York Federation and competes in the NY State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) leagues, the Monsignor Martin League, and the Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario League. Their teams consistently achieve success in interscholastic competitions, fostering a spirit of excellence and school pride.
• Focus on Development
  :
  The athletics program emphasizes not only competition but also the personal development of student‑athletes.
• Facilities
  :
  The school boasts modern athletic facilities, including turf and grass fields, tennis and squash courts, 2 hockey rinks, 2 gyms, and a fitness center that supports both practice and competition.

• Oversee the day‑to‑day operations of the athletics and physical education department, including the supervision of other members of the athletic administrative department.
• Manage the athletic facilities alongside the Director of Facilities and Director of Auxiliary Programs. This includes oversight of the 2 hockey rinks, grass and turf fields, courts, and 2 gyms. The Athletic Director will work closely with the two administrators to ensure facilities are updated and utilized efficiently throughout all seasons.
• Ensure the physical education program at the school runs smoothly and bolsters positive physical fitness and healthy human development.
• Recruit, hire, and onboard excellent teachers of physical education and coaches for all the sports offered at the school.
• Be a visible member of the Nichols community both internally and externally. Internally, the Athletic Director will be actively involved in all facets of school life, athletics and otherwise. Externally, the Athletic Director will be a present and visible member of the greater Buffalo community; an ambassador for the…