Department
Lab School PE/Athletics
About the Department
No less than scholarship, Lab’s mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab’s student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members’ identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community.
Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment.
Job Summary
Responsibilities
Assist in the planning, scheduling, execution, and supervision of all athletic events including games, practices, tournaments, and other related school events.
Coordinate with coaches to ensure that all necessary resources are available including equipment, uniforms, facilities, personnel, and transportation.
Coordinate game-day operations, including officials, scorekeepers, security, medical coverage, ticketing, transportation, and event staff.
Serve as the administrator on duty for assigned home athletic contests, including evenings and weekends.
Assist in coordinating practice schedules and facility usage with internal departments and outside organizations.
Support the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, mentoring, and evaluation of coaches.
Maintain coach certifications, background checks, CPR/AED training, and IHSA compliance documentation.
Organize and manage uniform distribution and return.
Manage athletic equipment inventory.
Maintain accurate records of athletic programs including schedules, rosters, results, and statistics and ensure timely reporting to school administrators and leagues.
Assist the Athletic Department in development and implementation of budgets, as well as policies and procedures for the safe and effective management of athletic programs, including emergency procedures, health and safety protocols, Athletic and Coaches Handbook, and risk management plans.
Provide leadership and support to coaches, athletes, and parents in promoting positive attitudes, sportsmanship, and teamwork, and ensure compliance with all school policies.
Collaborate with school administrators to promote and support the growth and development of the athletic programs in alignment with Lab’s mission, vision, and values.
Take a leadership role in growing the social media presence of Lab athletics through the development of a social media strategy that includes content development and dissemination on Lab’s institutional social media platforms—Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram—and updating and maintaining Lab’s athletic instagram account.
Manage content on the school’s website, including regular updates to the athletic calendar, with score updates, game schedules, and venue changes.
Represent the school and athletic department during games and league meetings.
Foster relationships with Chicago area schools to grow our athletic opportunities.
Analyzes data and evaluates performance of teams in order to develop, implement, and teach game strategies. Ensures student-athletes and athletics representatives are informed of and comply with NCAA and University rules and regulations.
Develops and implements new instructional, training, and conditioning programs. Teaches relevant skills to student-athletes during team practices, games, and individual/small group training sessions.
Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Master's degree in Sports Administration, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
Experience:
A minimum of four years of experience working with students at an independent or public school, or comparable experience.
A minimum of five years experience as a middle school/high school sports coach, in an independent school setting.
Knowledge of graphic, publishing, and web page software.
Knowledge of database design, input, and management.
Experience with Chicago school sports leagues.
Experience managing social media.
Preferred Competencies
Excellent collaborative, interpersonal skills and positive attitude.
Excellent organizational skills.
Attention to detail.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to handle multiple, concurrent tasks and constant interruptions.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Creativity.
Experience coaching sports.
Ability to operate an automobile and a valid driver's license.
Working Conditions
Regular evening and weekend work is required throughout the academic year.
Ability to attend athletic events on and off campus.
Ability to lift and move athletic equipment up to 50 pounds.
Frequent walking, standing, and movement between athletic facilities.
Valid driver's license required; ability to operate school vehicles.
Application Documents
Resume (required)
Cover Letter (required)
References (required)
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Role Impact
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Pay Rate Type
FLSA Status
Pay Range
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
Skills Required
- College or university degree in a related field
- 5-7 years of related work experience
- Valid driver’s license and ability to operate school vehicles
- Ability to lift and move athletic equipment up to 50 pounds
- Regular evening and weekend availability to attend athletic events
- Maintain coach certifications, background checks, CPR/AED training, and IHSA compliance documentation
- Resume uploaded with application
- Cover letter uploaded with application
- References provided with application
- Master’s degree in Sports Administration, Educational Leadership, or related field
- Minimum four years working with students in an independent or public school (preferred)
- Minimum five years experience as a middle/high school sports coach in an independent school (preferred)
- Knowledge of graphic, publishing, and web page software (preferred)
- Knowledge of database design, input, and management (preferred)
- Experience with Chicago school sports leagues (preferred)
- Experience managing social media (preferred)
What We Do
The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to rigorous inquiry and intellectual freedom draws pathbreaking scholars to our global campuses, where field-defining ideas are born that challenge and change the world. The University of Chicago has its main campus on Chicago's South Side and seven international campuses and centers throughout the world. Students can choose from 53 majors and 47 minors in the undergraduate College, with four divisions and seven professional schools for graduate study.
