Benefits of Being a Lindenwood Employee:

• Employer-paid tuition benefits for bachelor’s (employee, spouse, and dependent) and master’s degree programs (employee and spouse only).
• Tuition discounts for doctoral programs (employee only).
• Comprehensive benefits plan: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement options.
• Paid holidays: MLK Jr. day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving break (Wednesday – Friday), and winter break (Dec. 23 – Jan. 1).
• Free lunch Fridays: LU employees are eligible for a free meal on Fridays at the Evans Commons Dining Hall or Spellman Dining Hall; Chick-fil-A and Qdoba included.
• Professional development opportunities through the Lindenwood Learning Academy.

Job Title Summary

Job Title: Head Coach, Track and Cross Country
Division: Athletics
Evaluation Group: Coach
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports To: Vice President, Intercollegiate Athletics (reporting varies by position)
Positions Supervised: Assistant Coach; Student Employees

Job Summary:
The head coach oversees all aspects of the structure, leadership, and administration of the intercollegiate athletic program in a manner that aligns with the mission and values of the University and Athletics department. This position recruits and works to retain student-athletes; monitors student-athletes’ academic progress; strives for competitive success; manages the budget; oversees the coaching staff; and verifies the program’s compliance with University, Conference, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) guidelines.

Essential Job Functions and Performance Indicators

Student-Athlete Academic Success

• Prioritizes, promotes, and actively supports student-athlete academic achievement.
• Manages and monitors all aspects of the intercollegiate athletic program, including academic success, retention, and graduation progress; implements action plans with the appropriate academic staff when necessary.
• Monitors student-athletes to ensure academic performance, timely completion of assignments and exams, and graduation within five years of entering college.
• Collaborates with the Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) and NCAA academic coordinators to resolve conflicts.
• Works with University faculty, administrative officials, and Athletics staff to meet academic requirements and achieve goals for graduation, Academic Progress Rate (APR), and Graduation Success Rate (GSR).

Competitive Success of Sport

• Identifies, evaluates, and recruits student-athletes for success at Lindenwood University.
• Teaches fundamental philosophy, skills, and knowledge essential to the sport.
• Produces a high-performing team capable of meeting and maintaining competitive expectations.
• Acts in accordance with the athletic code of conduct and exhibits professional and sportsman-like manner.

Administration

• Complies with all federal, state, and local laws, NCAA, Conference, and University rules.
• Maintains knowledge of and adheres to Lindenwood University policies and procedures.
• Completes administrative responsibilities according to procedures.
• Adheres to budgets allocated for the sport program and Athletics department.
• Provides leadership for fundraising activities and program advancement initiatives.
• Manages team equipment, uniforms, and supplies.
• Cooperates with the Department’s Office of Compliance and provides truthful and complete information regarding potential NCAA rule violations.
• Reports any potential rule violations to the Athletics Director and the Department’s Office of Compliance Services.

Communication, Collaboration, and Q2 Service Excellence

• Supports the mission of the University and serves as an ambassador of the Q2 culture of service excellence.
• Models and supports University and Athletics values: integrity, dedication, excellence, creativity, and teamwork.
• Promotes the University’s athletics program as a vehicle for positive public image.
• Ensures fair, safe, and responsible treatment of student-athletes.

Community Relations and Engagement

• Establishes effective relationships with the community while positively representing the program, department, and University.
• Engages in campus and community outreach projects and events.
• Maintains effective relationships with alumni and keeps them engaged with the University.

Employee Management and Development

• Hires, trains, and supervises staff within the program.
• Sets performance expectations for coaching staff and holds them accountable.
• Provides ongoing feedback to guide assistant coach’s performance.
• Encourages and supports professional growth opportunities for assistant coaches.
• Conducts performance evaluations based on evidence, observation, and feedback.
• Promotes inclusive principles and holds staff accountable.

Job may require other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of 3 years’ collegiate coaching experience preferred
• NCAA Division I coaching experience preferred
• Head coaching experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures.
• Knowledgeable in matters pertaining to the sport and governing body.
• Strong leadership and collaborative skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with the community, faculty, students, and staff.
• Highly developed analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to develop student-athletes to compete at conference, regional, and national competitive levels.
• Computer experience.

Work Environment

• Standard business hours with evening and weekend work.
• Frequent travel.
• Physically demanding with the ability to perform technical aspects of the assigned sport.
• Regular attendance is necessary and essential.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lindenwood University is an Equal Opportunity employer. The University complies with appropriate federal, state, and local laws and provides equal employment opportunities and access to educational programs without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status to all qualified applicants and employees. Lindenwood University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and dedicated to providing a positive discrimination-free educational work environment.