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Director Of Debate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

McKendree College

Assistant Speech Coach

Lebanon, IL · On-site

The position works under the direction of the Director of Speech and Debate and in collaboration with the Head Coach of Debate to support student development, competitive preparation, and the ...

New York City Urban Debate League

$60 - $80/hr

Develop and maintain Public Forum and Parliamentary debate curriculum, under the supervision of the Program Manager and Director, across Open League, Districts, and NYC Reads, ensuring materials are ...

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Director Of Debate information

What is a director of debate?

A Director of Debate is an educator or coach responsible for overseeing a debate program, typically at a high school or college. They organize and manage debate teams, develop training materials, mentor students, and coordinate participation in tournaments. Directors of Debate also often recruit team members, plan practice sessions, and handle administrative tasks such as budgeting and travel arrangements. Their role is vital in fostering critical thinking, public speaking, and research skills among students.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of debate?

To thrive as a Director of Debate, you need expertise in debate formats, argumentation theory, and coaching, often supported by a degree in communication, education, or a related field. Familiarity with tournament management software, online research tools, and judging rubrics is also important. Strong leadership, organization, and mentorship abilities help foster team growth and effective communication. These skills enable the creation of high-performing debate teams, ensure successful event coordination, and promote the personal and academic development of students.

What are the typical challenges faced by a director of debate when managing a diverse team of debaters?

A Director of Debate often navigates challenges such as balancing the varying skill levels and backgrounds of team members, fostering a collaborative yet competitive environment, and ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities for all students. They must also manage logistics for tournaments, coordinate travel, and mentor students both academically and personally. Regular communication and adaptability are key to maintaining a motivated team and achieving consistent success in competitions.

What is the difference between Director Of Debate vs Debate Coach?

AspectDirector Of DebateDebate Coach
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree, experience in debate programs, and leadership skillsUsually requires a bachelor's degree, experience in debate or coaching, and communication skills
Work EnvironmentOversees debate programs at schools or organizations, manages staff and budgetsWorks directly with students, trains and mentors debate teams
Industry UsageCommon in educational institutions and debate organizationsFound in schools, clubs, and debate teams

The main difference is that the Director Of Debate manages the overall debate program, including staff and logistics, while the Debate Coach focuses on training students and developing their debating skills. Both roles require relevant experience and are essential in educational debate settings.

Can you make a career out of debating?

A career as a debate coach, director of debate, or speech and debate coach involves organizing competitions, training students, and developing debate programs. These roles require strong communication, organizational skills, and often a background in education or communication studies. While not a traditional career path, professionals in this field can work in schools, universities, or debate organizations, often combining it with teaching or administrative duties.

What cities are hiring for Director Of Debate jobs?

Cities with the most Director Of Debate job openings:

What states have the most Director Of Debate jobs?

States with the most job openings for Director Of Debate jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Director Of Debate jobs?

For Director Of Debate jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Director Of Debate jobs near you

Assistant Debate Coach

Lebanon, IL • On-site

McKendree University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about McKendree Universityexternal

Part-time

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

Salary: $1,800.00 Annually
Location : Lebanon, IL
Job Type: Part-Time Staff
Job Number: 202600034
Department: Student Affairs
Division: Speech and Debate
Opening Date: 08/11/2026
FLSA: Exempt
McKendree University, located in Lebanon, IL and home of the Bearcats, invites qualified applicants to join our team. McKendree University offers a competitive compensation and benefits package and the opportunity to influence the future leaders of tomorrow.
The mission of McKendree University is to provide a high-quality educational experience to outstanding students. We guide our students in the pursuit of academic excellence, which will prepare them for leadership roles in our society. To achieve this end we encourage broader vision, enriched purpose, engagement with community, commitment to responsible citizenship, openness to new ideas and dedication to lifelong learning. In keeping with our history and traditions, we provide our students with a rigorous, broadly based liberal arts curriculum joined with specialization in a specific discipline.
Position Summary and Key Responsibilities
The Assistant Debate Coach supports the McKendree University Speech and Debate program through coaching, student preparation, recruitment support, competition travel, and assistance with program activities. The position works under the direction of the Director of Speech and Debate and in collaboration with the Head Coach of Debate to support student development, competitive preparation, and the University's recruitment, retention, and student engagement goals.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Debate Coaching and Student Support
  • Assist with student coaching and preparation, including practices, research review, performance evaluation, ballot review, competition preparation, and student support.
  • Provide individual or group coaching in speech and/or debate based on program needs and assigned areas of expertise.
  • Support a team culture that reflects professionalism, student learning, responsible citizenship, academic engagement, and appropriate standards of conduct.
  • Assist the Director of Speech and Debate and Head Coach of Debate with student preparation, team activities, and program operations as assigned.

Recruiting and Program Visibility
  • Assist with recruitment of prospective students who have experience or interest in speech and/or debate.
  • Attend high school competitions, campus activities, Southern Illinois Debate League events, and related programs as assigned to support recruitment and program visibility.
  • Communicate with prospective students, families, and high school coaches as assigned by the Director of Speech and Debate.
  • Support campus visits, recruitment events, follow-up communication, and other recruitment activities in coordination with the Director of Speech and Debate.

Competition Travel and Program Support
  • Attend and judge intercollegiate speech and debate competitions as assigned.
  • Assist with competition travel logistics, including registration, lodging, transportation, meals, travel documentation, and related details as directed.
  • Submit appropriate receipts, forms, and expense documentation in accordance with University procedures.
  • Assist with University-hosted competitions, workshops, Southern Illinois Debate League events, and other speech and debate activities as assigned.

Student Support, Policy Compliance, and Professional Expectations
  • Ensure students represent McKendree University appropriately during practices, competitions, travel, hosted events, and related program activities.
  • Follow University policies, travel expectations, budget procedures, and student conduct expectations.
  • Maintain professional and technical competency through engagement with speech and debate practices, trends, and professional development opportunities as appropriate.

Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's Degree in a related field.
  • 2 years of experience in competitive speech and/or debate, as a competitor.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
  • Ability to coach, mentor, and support undergraduate students.
  • Familiarity with intercollegiate speech and/or debate competition.
  • Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and in large groups.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with students, coaches, volunteers, high school partners, Admission, Student Affairs, and other University offices.
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain professionalism, and uphold appropriate boundaries with students.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office as well as file sharing, communication, and conferencing software

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Master's Degree in Communication or related field.
  • 5 years of experience in competitive speech and/or debate, including experience as a competitor and/or as a coach.
  • Experience with speech and/or debate coaching, competition operations, recruitment, student programming, or high school speech and debate outreach.

Work Conditions
  • Part-time position with irregular business hours to coincide with student availability, coaching sessions, recruitment activities, hosted events, and competition travel.
  • Evening and weekend work required.
  • Competition travel, including coaching and judging, for approximately 10-12 weekends each year.

Required Application Materials
Cover Letter
Resume/CV
Equal Opportunity Employer
McKendree University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and other statuses protected by law. This extends to all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruiting, hiring, training, on-the-job treatment, promotion, layoff, and termination.
Part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Part-time employees who work an average of 20 hours per week may be eligible for our deferred compensation plan.
Part-time faculty and staff also enjoy:
- Discounted tuition after 1 year of employment! Spouses and dependents under the age of 26 are also eligible for discounted undergraduate level courses.
- Complimentary or discounted tickets to our premier performing arts venue, presenting world class dance, drama, classical music and jazz.
- Complimentary tickets for Athletic events.
- Discounts at the McKendree University Bookstore.

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