Athletic Director

The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in the increasingly diverse urban community of Lansing, MI. We are unique compared to other districts because of the wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options from which families and staff members can choose. All of Lansing School District’s team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all students in a safe and nurturing environment.
The High School Athletic Director is responsible for the planning, organization, and oversight of all interscholastic athletic programs at the building level. This individual ensures that athletics contribute positively to student growth and achievement, reflect the values of the school and district, and comply with all applicable district, league, and state regulations. The Athletic Director provides leadership and support for coaches, manages the daily operations of the athletic program, and communicates effectively with all stakeholders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Development

• Direct and supervise all high school athletic programs, teams, and events.

• Recruit, recommend, mentor, and evaluate coaches in collaboration with the Director of Enrichment/Engagement and building principal.

• Support professional growth opportunities for coaching staff.

• Develop and maintain equitable opportunities for all students to participate in athletics.

• Promote sportsmanship, citizenship, and academic achievement as integral components of athletics.

School day responsibilities

Co-curricular responsibilities

Collaborate with the building principal and district athletic director on hiring processes for coaches

Observe practices and provide feedback to coaches on team culture, leadership of team, and sportsmanship

Lead meetings with 8th grade students about High School sports during the school day in the Spring

Model good sportsmanship and ensure that coaches and student-athletes are displaying good sportsmanship during competitions 

Communicate with coaches about opportunities for professional development

 

Ensure students and coaches are completing necessary sportsmanship courses

 

Track and record participation data on a weekly basis in each sport

 

Set goals with coaches at the beginning of season, provide feedback mid-season, and complete end of season evaluation using the coaching rubric

 

Teach (if certified) or assist with the teaching of classes related to athletics (examples include Coaching and Officiating, Sports Medicine, Physical Education, Health, etc.)

 

Operations & Event Management

• Maintain a current Emergency Action Plan at each location for each sport.

• Develop and coordinate practice, game, and facility schedules in partnership with the Director of Enrichment/ Engagement.

• Arrange and confirm officials, event staff, medical personnel, and security as needed.

• Oversee transportation scheduling for athletic events.

• Ensure safe and proper use of facilities, fields, and equipment.

• Manage inventory, distribution, and replacement of athletic uniforms and equipment.

School day responsibilities

Co-curricular responsibilities

Collaborate with athletic trainers to develop EAPs and ensure that they are posted at all venues

Ensure that EAPs are communicated to each team and practiced by teams at the beginning of the season

Schedule facilities for practices and games

Ensure that event staff are setup to maintain a safe and positive environment for all staff, spectators, and student-athletes

Schedule officials, transportation, and event staff for all home events

Supervise events and assign event managers for nights with multiple events

Prepare game sheets for league competitions and communicate to opposing schools and school/district staff, as necessary

 

Keep accurate inventory records of all uniforms and equipment

 

Communicate facility needs to operations, grounds, and Director of Enrichment and Engagement, as necessary

 

Fiscal & Administrative Management

• Monitor the building athletic budget within district guidelines.

• Oversee all purchasing of athletic equipment and supplies.

• Assist with fundraising efforts and ensure proper accounting of athletic funds.

• Maintain required records, including eligibility, rosters, program evaluations, and compliance documentation.

School day responsibilities

Co-curricular responsibilities

Follow all district accounting procedures to make necessary purchases and ensure that all purchases fall within budget guidelines

Ensure coaches are aware of policies and procedures related to budgets and fundraising

Ensure that all fundraising activity is done in accordance with district policies

 

Maintain records of master student-athlete eligibility and coach evaluations and share this information with the Director of Enrichment/ Engagement

 

Student-Athlete Support

• Ensure compliance with academic eligibility standards and district policies.

• Promote the health, safety, and well-being of student-athletes, including oversight of injury protocols and return-to-play procedures.

• Encourage positive relationships among students, coaches, families, and the school community.

• Foster leadership development and opportunities for student-athletes.

School day responsibilities

Co-curricular responsibilities

Keep a master list of eligibility for student-athletes, broken down by sport and support student-athletes in meeting requirements to stay eligible for the full season

Ensure coaches are following eligibility guidelines

Monitor physical and emotional well-being of all student-athletes and ensure that proper protocols and procedures are being followed

Observe practices and competitions to ensure coaches are communicating positively with student-athletes, families, and the school community 

Individually check-in with student-athletes during the school day multiple times throughout the season

 

Encourage student-athletes to participate in multiple sports throughout the school year

 

Meet with student-athlete representatives 3-5 times a year to gain student perspective and input

 

Compliance & Communication

• Ensure adherence to policies of the District, MHSAA, and Capital Area Activities Conference.

• Serve as the primary liaison between the school, parents, media, officials, and the community regarding athletics.

• Communicate program goals, expectations, and schedules to coaches, students, and families.

• Report regularly to the Director of Enrichment/Engagement on program status, needs, and accomplishments.

School day responsibilities

Co-curricular responsibilities

Ensure all MHSAA attestments and requirements are completed by established deadlines

Make sure expectations and goals are communicated to coaches and student-athletes

Ensure coaches are submitting official ratings each week

Create and post visuals to help reinforce expectations and goals

Ensure information related to athletics is being communicated through announcements, newsletters, and other means of communication

 

Communicate information to media, as appropriate, related to athletics

 

Keep the Director of Enrichment/ Engagement informed of  needs, accomplishments, and concerns

 

Attend district AD meetings, league meetings, and other required MHSAA meetings

 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, sports management, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).

• Prior experience in coaching and/or athletic administration at the secondary school level.

• Knowledge of MHSAA and league regulations.

• Demonstrated organizational, leadership, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Ability to manage budgets, scheduling, and multiple programs simultaneously.

• Current CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).

• Valid High School teaching certificate preferred.

Professional Competencies

• Leadership: Models professionalism and inspires coaches and athletes.

• Collaboration: Works effectively with district leaders, school administration, and community partners.

• Equity & Inclusion: Ensures fair and inclusive participation in athletics.

• Problem-Solving: Responds effectively to challenges in a dynamic environment.

• Communication: Maintains clear, respectful, and timely communication with all stakeholders.

Work Environment & Expectations

• Requires flexibility in schedule, including evenings and weekends.

• Involves frequent attendance at athletic contests and events.

• Requires the ability to supervise events indoors and outdoors in varying conditions.

At Lansing School District, we champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing equal opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation. We foster a rich environment for professional growth and student experiences by valuing diverse perspectives. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite passionate individuals dedicated to educational excellence to apply for our positions.
We value internal mobility and list "Strong Internal Candidate" when considering an internal candidate before posting a job. We still encourage all candidates to apply.
Complete the attached online application at your earliest convenience. If selected, we will contact you to set up an interview. While we strive to provide prompt feedback, the high volume of applicants may limit our ability to do so. All of our jobs will be posted for at least 10 days (unless otherwise noted), but we will review applications on a rolling basis.
External candidates interested in multiple positions within the same department need only apply to one posting and can indicate other roles of interest in the final question. We will consider your application for various roles based on your qualifications.
Internal candidates should apply using their SSO email address and submit separate applications for each role of interest.Thank you for your interest in joining our mission-driven team. We look forward to meeting you!
This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications for the position. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, and the Lansing School District reserves the right to modify job responsibilities as needed. Due to the evolving needs of the District, additional job responsibilities may be assigned (depending on funding sources).