Director of Athletics

Leadership Opportunity:
Seattle, WA

Lakeside School, an independent, non-sectarian day school in Seattle serving 891 students in grades 5–12, seeks an energetic, strategic, and student-centered leader to serve as the next Director of Athletics. This is an exciting opportunity for a forward-looking educator to lead a nationally-respected program that blends competitive excellence, robust student participation, and character-driven development aligned with Lakeside’s mission, vision, and values.

With 26 varsity teams—many with junior varsity and Middle School counterparts—and participation rates exceeding 80% in the Upper School and 90% in the Middle School, athletics is a defining feature of the Lakeside experience. The next director will guide a program that consistently earns league, district, and state recognition; supports lifelong health and wellness; and contributes meaningfully to the culture of the school.

Reporting to the assistant head of school/Upper School director, the director of athletics serves as a member of the school’s directors group and leads a dedicated team of athletics employees, coaches, program head, and trainers. The director champions a program grounded in excellence, integrity, sportsmanship, and belonging while ensuring athletics is a place where all students are supported, challenged, and inspired.

This is a full time (1.0 FTE), exempt, administrative appointment on a full-year schedule (July 1 to June 30).

Lakeside:
Fast Facts

The Director of Athletics provides visionary leadership for Lakeside’s 5–12 interscholastic athletics program. As both leader and educator, the director works closely with students, employees, coaches, administrative colleagues, and families to create an environment where athletic achievement and personal growth reinforce one another. They will join a dedicated community that believes deeply in the invaluable role of athletics in student development and school culture.

The next director will have the opportunity to deepen connection between athletics and the school’s mission; foster a culture of coaching excellence; enhance program cohesion across divisions; support aspiring collegiate athletes; strengthen operational systems; and serve as a visible and engaged presence across the community.

• Advance a mission-aligned program that reflects Lakeside’s values of integrity and belonging, ensuring athletics supports students’ social, emotional, and physical development.
• Lead the 5–12 Interscholastic Athletics Program and ensure consistent implementation of policies, procedures, and expectations.
• Supervise and mentor an experienced staff: an associate athletics director, three assistant athletics directors, two athletic trainers, two strength coaches, an event and facilities manager, and varsity head coaches.
• Hire, support, and evaluate coaches; lead professional development; and ensure appropriate staffing at athletic contests.
• Build cohesion across divisions, uniting Middle and Upper School athletics through shared expectations, communication, and programmatic alignment.
• Champion health, safety, and wellness by overseeing risk management, athletic training, strength and conditioning, and best practices in student‑athlete care.
• Oversee the daily operations of athletics, including scheduling, event supervision, equipment and apparel management, and coordination of facilities.
• Represent athletics within school leadership, offering thoughtful, informed perspectives on school-wide policy, culture, and long‑term planning while working with all departments to enhance the student experience.
• Continue fostering a culture of high-quality coaching, building systems for recruiting, developing, mentoring, and evaluating coaches and program personnel.
• Support college‑bound athletes, partnering with college counseling to guide the 10–20% of Lakeside rs who pursue intercollegiate athletics each year.
• Partner externally with CYO, the Metro League, WIAA, and peer institutions to maintain strong relationships and uphold Lakeside’s leadership in the region.
• Enhance communication and visibility, working within the office and with…