Athletic Director

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION 2026-27

Athletics play an integral role in Christ School’s mission to produce educated men of good character, prepared for both scholastic achievement in college and productive citizenship in adult society. Founded in 1900, we pride ourselves on offering 300-plus students in grades 8-12 a rigorous curriculum and relational learning experience that develops the whole boy.

Christ School is located just outside of Asheville, N.C., and represented by 19 teams in 11 sports. Traditional championship sports are supplemented by a robust, year-round Outdoor Program that utilizes western North Carolina’s natural resources.

Our teams excel at the highest level in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA). They have won a combined 27 state championships, with 10 coming since 2020, the most during that span by any boys athletic program in the NCISAA. Success is not determined solely by wins and losses. We have had 10 student-athletes continue their careers at Ivy League colleges since 2020.

Christ School’s 2025 Fall All-Academic Team, comprised of 12 athletes from cross country, football, and soccer, had weighted grade-point averages that ranged from 4.67 on the low end to a pair of 5.0 GPAs.

Christ School’s next Athletic Director should embrace the challenge of building on this excellence by being an energetic and mission-oriented individual. They should be visible at games, matches, and meets, as well as other school community functions. The Athletic Director will be accessible and thoughtful in their interactions with families. They will be a trusted mentor to all athletes and coaches, and a collaborative partner as a member of the school Leadership Team.

Location:

Arden, North Carolina

Reports to:

Assistant Head of School
Status:
Full-time (12-month with summer responsibilities);
Exempt;
Leadership Team member

The Athletic Director (AD) advances Christ School’s mission by leading a comprehensive, character-forming, and highly competitive athletics program for boys. The AD unites strategic vision, operational excellence, and promotes a positive, formative culture across all teams and afternoon programs. The AD develops and maintains financial operations, including budgeting, and is responsible for hiring, supervising, and evaluating coaches and athletic staff. In a boarding-school context, the AD is a visible, values-driven educator who aligns athletics with academics and residential life, stewarding a program that reflects Christ School’s Four Pillars and fostering a culture of excellence.

• Mission & Culture: A school-wide athletics vision anchored in the Four Pillars, visible in team standards, practice habits, game conduct, and communications; noticeable gains in sportsmanship and program cohesion.
• People & Performance: A unified coaching cohort with clear roles, regular evaluations, and robust professional development; strong recruiting and retention of high-impact coaches and staff.
• Operations & Safety:
  Flawless home/away event execution; transparent eligibility, tryout, and selection processes; updated health, safety, and emergency protocols; a current Athletics Department Handbook.
• Compliance & NIL:
  Proactive compliance systems for all governing bodies; a practical Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) framework that includes policy, education for families, and guidance on intersections with need-based financial aid.
• Financial Stewardship: A balanced, data-informed budget and sustainable resource plan for equipment, travel, officials, staffing, and facilities.

• Lead and communicate a multi-year athletics strategy aligned with Christ School’s mission; define program standards, competitive aspirations, and player-development pathways.
• Establish a clear athletics culture and team identities consistent with the Four Pillars; model disciplined, value-centered leadership.
• Serve as an active member of the Senior Leadership Team; coordinate cross-campus initiatives, facility planning, and the responsible use of athletic venues by outside groups.
• Creat…