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Athletic Program Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

City of Palo Alto

JLS Athletic Director

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$24.93 - $30.60/hr

This is a part-time, non-benefited position supporting the middle school athletic program for ... At least one year of experience serving as an athletic director at the middle school level. At ...

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Athletic Program Director information

What is an athletic program director?

An Athletic Program Director is responsible for overseeing and managing sports programs within schools, colleges, or community organizations. They coordinate athletic schedules, supervise coaches and staff, develop program budgets, and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and policies. Their role also involves promoting positive sportsmanship and ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants. Athletic Program Directors play a key part in shaping the direction and success of athletic departments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an athletic program director?

To thrive as an Athletic Program Director, you need strong leadership abilities, program management experience, and often a background in sports administration or a related field. Familiarity with budgeting software, scheduling systems, and compliance regulations such as NCAA or state athletic guidelines is commonly required. Exceptional communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills help in motivating staff, resolving conflicts, and fostering a positive team environment. These competencies are crucial for ensuring program success, regulatory compliance, and the overall development of athletes and staff.

What are some common challenges faced by athletic program directors, and how can they prepare to overcome them?

Athletic Program Directors often face challenges such as balancing budget constraints, managing diverse teams of coaches and staff, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and safety standards. They also need to foster positive relationships with student-athletes, parents, and the broader community. To overcome these challenges, candidates should develop strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as stay updated on best practices and regulatory requirements in athletic administration. Building a supportive network and participating in professional development can also help navigate these complexities successfully.

What is the difference between Athletic Program Director vs Athletic Coach?

AspectAthletic Program DirectorAthletic Coach
CredentialsOften requires a bachelor's degree in sports management, physical education, or related field; certifications varyTypically requires coaching certifications, relevant experience, and sometimes a degree in sports science or related field
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple teams or programs, administrative offices, and planning sessionsWorks directly with athletes, conducts training sessions, and manages team practices
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in schools, colleges, sports clubs, and community programs to manage overall athletic programsCommonly employed by schools, colleges, and sports organizations to coach individual teams

The Athletic Program Director focuses on managing entire athletic programs, including planning, administration, and oversight. In contrast, an Athletic Coach works directly with athletes to develop skills and lead team practices. Both roles require relevant certifications and experience, but their responsibilities and work environments differ significantly.

Infographic showing various Athletic Program Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Director of Athletics, Interim

Stockton, CA • On-site

Aspire Public Schools
Education • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Aspire Public Schoolsexternal

Part-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago

Aspire Public Schools rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

269th of 644 rated elementary and secondary schools

Job description

ABOUT ASPIRE
Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998-in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that our communities persist through-Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.
Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day, our community of students, families, teachers and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.
JOB SUMMARY
The Athletic Director is responsible for supervising, managing and evaluating the entire athletic program at the school site, with a close eye on managing the funds allocated to the high school athletic programs in accordance with APS guidelines. The Athletic Director is also responsible for building the athletic program up within the community and being the liaison with a variety of community athletic programs, assisting in the selection, placement and evaluation of coaches within the athletic program and working the maintenance staff to keep the indoor and outdoor athletic facilities in impeccable condition.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions

Ongoing Activities:
  • Ensure eligibility of athletes for program participation
  • Schedule and coordinate supervision of all home and away athletic contests or programs
  • Oversee SCIAA, TSSAA OR TMSSSA eligibility status of coaches and follow their rules and regulations
  • Work with coaching staff to develop goals for program improvement and assess progress consistent with APS philosophy, goals and guidelines
  • Develop and manage the athletic budgets tied to coaching objectives, consistent with established department priorities, and supervise fundraising
  • Manage inventory of supplies and equipment including requisition, storage and issuance
  • Ensure that budget allocations for the program are tied to coaching objectives and are consistent with established department priorities
  • Ensure safety standards are met in all facilities

Outreach and Communications:
  • Communicate with the public about the athletic program and establish positive community rapport
  • Involve students and parents (as appropriate) in athletic development and evaluation
  • Use the news media effectively to ensure good coverage of athletic programs
  • Encourage community participation through attendance at athletic events
  • Prepare and deliver communications including updates and other pertinent information concerning the athletic program to the school board
  • Coordinate facilities use with all schools as well as community requests
  • Assist in the recruiting, interviewing, screening and recommending of qualified persons to fill openings on the school extracurricular athletics coaching staff

Additional:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, the Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, value statements including antiracism, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior
  • Perform other related duties as required and assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

  1. Competencies:
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to work in a positive way with students, parents, and community members
  • Knowledge of district regulations and guidelines for each event
  • Ability to lift, move, and set-up event equipment
  • Knowledge or ability to learn how to set-up and use sound system and scoreboards
  • Ability to work with coaches, officials and administrators to assure a safe environment for participants and spectators
  • Ability to provide leadership that assures student and spectator safety in emergency situations

  1. Minimum educational level:
  • High school diploma required
  • Preferred - Bachelor's Degree

  1. Experience required:
  • 3+ years experience working with students and community at athletic events required
  • Coaching experience preferred

  1. Physical requirements:
  • Stand, walk or bend over, kneel, crouch, reach overhead, grasp, push, and pull. Move, lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds to shoulder height
  • Repetitive use of hands (i.e. fine manipulation, simple grasping, and power grasping)
  • Demonstrate normal depth perception
  • Sitting, walking or standing for extended periods of time
  • Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, operate standard office equipment, and use a telephone
  • See and read a computer screen and printed matter with or without vision aids
  • Hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone with or without auditory aides

  1. Work authorization requirements:
  • Clear the Department of Justice background screening
  • Authorized to work in the United States
  • Provide health (TB) clearance (most update every four years)

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics are representative of those in a normal office, classroom/school setting which one might encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


Compensation:
Aspire Public Schools is dedicated to our teammate's well-being! In addition to a competitive base salary that is benchmarked against local districts and charter schools, we offer our full time employees exceptional benefits, including paid time off, 100% core health benefits coverage on select plans, life insurance/long-term disability, participation in a CA state retirement plan, tuition reimbursement plan, and adoption assistance program.
Pay rate for this position type is reflected here: $28.56 an hour

Aspire Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Aspire promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.

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Employment Type: Part-Time

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