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Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600+ schools and employing approximately 40,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.  To fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity.  Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Office of Sports Administration (OSA) oversees athletic programs and district sports facilities. As a department within the Office of College and Career Success (OCCS), OSA focuses on athletics as a strategy to support student success by increasing student connectedness to their school community, well-being through developmentally appropriate and safe competition, and increased academic readiness for postsecondary pathways. 

Job Summary: 

Reporting to the Deputy Chief of the Office of College and Career Success, the Executive Director of Sports Administration will lead a team to support the Office and department’s vision. As a member of the OCCS Senior Leadership Team, the Executive Director will provide strategic direction to both the Central Office and school-based staff to ensure that all students receive high-quality programming, opportunities, and robust supports. The Executive Director will use data to make informed decisions and shape strategies, communicating a clear vision and plan for staff development, accountability, and operational excellence to ensure equitable support and services for all students.

The Executive Director, Sports Administration will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Lead, manage, and develop a large, multi-team department of employees with a multi-million dollar budget
• Supervise and ensure department compliance with CPS policy 
• Liaise with IHSA and align guidelines to CPS policy and practice
• Articulate, implement, and promote a comprehensive strategic vision for interscholastic K-12 athletics programs that includes increased equity of access and postsecondary success
• Ensure the compliance of all athletic programming as it relates to staffing and the safety and well-being of all students in alignment with Board policy and applicable laws and regulations
• Collaborate with district and school-based administrators in developing quality athletic programs that improve academic outcomes in diverse communities
• Partner with the Chicago Park District officials throughout the year to manage the co-sharing of sports facilities
• Other duties and work streams as assigned  

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Executive Director, Sports Administration must possess the following qualifications: 

Education Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in education, sports administration, or a related field required 
• Master’s degree preferred

Experience Required: 

• Minimum of eight (8) years of athletic administration experience for a school district or higher education institution and a minimum of five (5) years supervising a team of direct reports required, or  
• Minimum of eight (8) years as a K-12 educator, including a minimum of three (3) years of experience as a Principal or Assistant Principal 
• Experience directing complex projects or programs with multiple teams, while meeting regular deliverables and engaging in continuous improvement
• Familiarity with the Chicago Public Schools’ interscholastic sports programs preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of public school laws and policies as they relate to the oversight and delivery of athletics and intramural sports.
• Ability to define and solve problems, analyze large, complex datasets, and outline valid conclusions/action steps necessary to reconcile complex issues.
• Strong understanding of the complexity and variety of challenges facing urban students; capable of effectively coordinating resources to address those challenges
• Knowledge of operations, budget/finance, management, and organizational development 
• Effective strategic planning capabilities, including the ability to establish long-term vision and goals, and align/manage activities toward goal fulfillment
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including listening, speaking, and leading/facilitating presentations
• Ability to coach directors and managers toward excellence, build capacity of content area teams
• Strong leadership and team building skills, e.g. ability to develop high-performing teams united around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success
• Demonstrate high levels of leadership expertise, integrity, honesty, credibility, and the courage to make difficult yet necessary decisions

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency -Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 -Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. “Up-to-date” on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.