Executive Director Of Athletics

Hawken School seeks an experienced, strategic, and collaborative Executive Director of Athletics to lead and advance its school-wide athletics program. The Executive Director provides vision, leadership, and oversight for athletic programming across Hawken's campuses, from youth athletics through varsity competition, and plays a central role in shaping a culture that values competitive excellence, student development, character, sportsmanship, and Fair Play.

The Executive Director is responsible for developing a coherent, high-quality athletics program that provides meaningful opportunities for students of varying ages, abilities, and interests while supporting Hawken's commitment to developing both character and intellect. This leader understands that athletics is an essential component of the student experience, offering opportunities to develop resilience, teamwork, discipline, leadership, and a commitment to excellence.

The successful candidate will bring demonstrated experience leading athletic programs, developing and supporting coaches, managing complex operations, and building strong relationships across a school community. The Executive Director must be equally capable of setting a compelling long-term vision and attending to the daily work necessary to deliver outstanding programs and experiences for students and families.

• Provide strategic vision, direction, and leadership for Hawken Athletics across all divisions and campuses, establishing clear goals, priorities, and measures of program success.
• Lead the development of an athletics strategy that balances competitive excellence, broad student participation, skill development, and developmentally appropriate experiences.
• Establish coherence and continuity across youth, middle school, and high school athletics, including developmental progressions, program expectations, and opportunities for students to advance within individual sports.
• Partner with divisional leaders and school administration to integrate athletics into the broader educational experience and support student engagement, well-being, and school community.
• Oversee the continued growth of competitive sports, Human Performance, Strength and Conditioning, and related athletic wellness initiatives in collaboration with school leaders.
• Evaluate program quality, student participation, competitive performance, and resource allocation to identify opportunities for improvement and sustainable growth.
• Foster an inclusive athletics culture that reflects Hawken's Purpose, Promise, and Principles and its longstanding commitment to Fair Play.

• Lead, supervise, and evaluate Athletics Department personnel, including athletic administrators, program leaders, coaches, and other assigned staff.
• Establish clear expectations, accountability structures, and regular processes for goal-setting, feedback, evaluation, and professional growth.
• Direct the recruitment, selection, hiring, onboarding, and retention of qualified coaches and athletics personnel in partnership with Human Resources and school leaders.
• Develop sport-specific program leaders responsible for strengthening program culture, developing coaches and student-athletes, and building continuity across grade levels.
• Provide meaningful professional development for coaches in student development, leadership, safety, and effective coaching strategies.
• Build a collaborative, high-performing Athletics Department characterized by strong communication, shared responsibility, and a student-centered approach.
• Address personnel concerns and performance issues with sound judgment, consistency, and alignment with school policies.

• Provide overall oversight of athletic operations, including team scheduling, contests, tournaments, officials, transportation, facility scheduling, event management, equipment, and uniforms.
• Establish effective systems, policies, and procedures that support consistent operations, clear communication, and accountability across programs and campuses.
• Oversee compliance with Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) requirements, conference regulations, eligibility standards, and applicable school policies.
• Maintain productive relationships with athletic conferences, governing organizations, and independent and public school athletics leaders.
• Oversee appropriate protocols for…