PCN 768
Position Overview:
Merrimack College invites applications for the position of Director of Rowing. This full-time position is responsible for providing strategic leadership, administration, recruitment, and coaching oversight for the College's rowing programs. The Director of Rowing will lead the continued development and competitive success of the women's rowing program while spearheading potential launch of a men's rowing program in the future.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to student-athlete development, enrollment growth, competitive excellence, and the mission of Merrimack College. A primary responsibility of this position will be recruiting and retaining student-athletes to build and sustain full, competitive rosters for the women’s program and to recruit the inaugural roster for a new men's rowing program in the future.
Primary Responsibilities
● Provide overall leadership, strategic planning, and management for Merrimack Rowing.
● Develop and implement a long-term vision for sustainable program growth and competitive success.
● Oversee all aspects of program operations, including budgeting, scheduling, equipment management, travel, fundraising, and compliance.
● Demonstrate sound fiscal responsibility in the management of the department-approved budget for the program.
● Foster a culture of academic achievement, leadership, sportsmanship, and personal development.
● Serve as the primary recruiter for the rowing program with responsibility for achieving and maintaining full roster targets.
● Recruit and enroll the inaugural men's rowing student-athletes and develop a sustainable recruiting model for long-term program growth.
● Develop and execute a comprehensive recruiting strategy to attract prospective student-athletes from traditional and non-traditional rowing markets.
● Build relationships with high school, club, scholastic, and junior rowing programs throughout the United States and internationally.
● Partner closely with Undergraduate Admission and Enrollment Management to support institutional enrollment goals.
● Plan and conduct all practices, training sessions, and build a competitive competition schedule.
● Develop comprehensive training plans that promote individual and team success.
● Recruit, supervise, and evaluate assistant coaches and support staff as appropriate.
● Support student-athletes in achieving academic, athletic, and personal goals.
● Foster and maintain a culture that demonstrates a commitment to NCAA rules compliance and institutional policies.
● Serve as an ambassador for Merrimack Rowing and Merrimack College.
● Build and cultivate relationships with alumni, donors, rowing clubs, and community partners. ● Participate in departmental activities including staff meetings, compliance education, diversity, equity and inclusion training, guest speakers and other events/meetings.
● Fulfill other specific areas of responsibility related to the program as assigned by the sports administrator and/or Director of Athletics.
● Assist with fundraising initiatives and alumni engagement activities that support program growth and sustainability.
Required Qualifications
● Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
● Demonstrated coaching and recruiting experience at the collegiate, club, scholastic, or high-performance rowing level.
● Proven success in recruiting and roster management.
● Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
● Ability to work evenings, weekends, and travel extensively for recruiting and competition.
● Valid driver's license and ability to meet College vehicle operation requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
● Demonstrated success achieving enrollment and roster targets.
● Knowledge of NCAA Division I rules and regulations.
● Experience working collaboratively with admissions and enrollment teams.
● Fundraising and alumni relations experience.
Application Materials Should Include:
Resume or CV
Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission and our values.
Work Location
This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.
This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.
Statement on Our Mission
Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building an accepting and respectful community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.
Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission. All candidates should describe in their application how they will foster a culture that supports our mission.
About Merrimack College
The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,100 undergraduate, 2,500 graduate students and 50 doctoral students from 48 states and 63 countries. The College features more than 160 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has six schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy, the Girard school of business and the graduate school of counseling and social work. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 38th in the Regional Universities North category in 2026. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.
Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Internal
External
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree
- Coaching and recruiting experience at the collegiate, club, scholastic, or high-performance rowing level
- Proven success in recruiting and roster management
- Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills
- Ability to work evenings and weekends
- Ability to travel extensively for recruiting and competition
- Valid driver's license and ability to meet College vehicle operation requirements
- Master's degree
- Demonstrated success achieving enrollment and roster targets
- Knowledge of NCAA Division I rules and regulations
- Experience collaborating with admissions and enrollment teams
- Fundraising and alumni relations experience
What We Do
One of the fastest-growing educational institutions in the country, Merrimack College is a selective, private college in a beautiful, residential setting — just minutes from Boston. The College features more than 160 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. Merrimack prepares students to build the skills and knowledge today’s employers want. Whether it be business, health sciences, education, science, technology or liberal arts, Merrimack programs offer a tailored experience that aligns with student’s personal and professional goals, enriched by its Catholic Augustinian heritage.
