Head Cheer Coach Jobs in Rutherford, NJ (NOW HIRING)

DREAM is seeking a high-capacity, student-centered leader to serve as Head Coach for our middle school competitive team. The Head Coach is the primary leader responsible for team culture, athlete development, safety, and program execution during all practices and games.

This role reports to the Dean of Student Life and serves as the on-site leader responsible for upholding all DREAM expectations, policies, and youth development standards.

Coaches are key members of the Athletics team and ensure the continued excellence, safety, and impact of DREAM’s sports-based youth development programs.

• Lead all aspects of team culture, setting clear expectations for behavior, effort, and sportsmanship

• Establish a structured, positive, and accountable team environment rooted in DREAM’s values

• Model professionalism, preparedness, and strong judgment at all times

• Intentionally develop athletes in:

  • Teamwork (collaboration, accountability to team)

  • Sportsmanship (respect for teammates, opponents, officials)

  • Self-regulation (emotional control, response to adversity)

• Use practices, games, team meeting/study halls and conflicts as opportunities to explicitly teach and reinforce these skills

• Implement proactive behavior management and coach students through challenges using positive discipline

• Lead and support a structured study hall program, ensuring student-athletes meet academic expectations through supervision, guidance, and accountability

• Design and submit high-quality, structured practice plans in advance

• Facilitate engaging, well-paced practices that maximize participation,skill development, conditioning, and teamwork

• Lead all game-day strategy, roster management, and team readiness

• Maintain active supervision at all times, including constant scanning, positioning, and engagement with athletes

• Ensure safe arrival, transitions, and dismissal of all participants

• Uphold all organizational safety protocols with consistency and attention to detail

• Take full ownership for the physical and emotional safety of all athletes

• Maintain accurate, real-time attendance for all practices and games

• Communicate proactively and promptly with the Athletics Director regarding attendance, incidents, and program updates

• Follow all internal protocols related to student eligibility, behavior expectations, and program participation

• Escalate concerns and incidents in a timely and appropriate manner

• Drive athlete recruitment and sustained engagement

• Manage roster, communication with families (as directed), and logistics

• Ensure all program expectations are implemented with consistency and follow-through

Core Professional Expectations

• Demonstrate consistent, reliable attendance and punctuality

• Adhere strictly to all safety, communication, and organizational protocols

• Exercise strong judgment and professionalism in all interactions

• Maintain alignment with DREAM staff and leadership at all times

• 2+ years of coaching experience required (middle school experience strongly preferred)

• Demonstrated ability to lead youth programs with structure, accountability, and care

• Strong understanding of the sport’s rules and strategy

• Experience working with school-age children required

• Ability to explicitly teach and model youth development competencies

• Previous competitive playing experience (high school and/or college) preferred

• Excellent communication, organization, and attention to detail

• CPR/First Aid certification, a plus

• Strong alignment with DREAM’s mission and values

• Start date: August 24

• End date: March 30

• Days & hours: Monday-Thursday, 3-6pm

• Evening and weekend games

• Dates and hours are subject to change

DREAM offers the following benefits to our part-time employees:

• 403(b) retirement plan, with employer matching up to 4% after one year of employment (12-month continuous period) in which you work a minimum of 1,000 hours;

• Disability benefits;

• Referral bonuses;

• Access to our Employee Discount Program, offering savings on travel, entertainment, retail, and more;

• High-performing part-time staff have the opportunity to apply for the DREAM Teaching Fellowship, through which they can earn a Bachelors or Masters degree and become full-time teachers at DREAM

The rate for incoming Head Coaches is $45 per hour. The rate for incoming Head Coaches who are also DREAM full-time staff is a $4500 per season stipend. Coaches are eligible for annual compensation increases based on tenure, in accordance with DREAM’s compensation practices.