Head Coach Dance

Job Summary:

Responsible for coordinating the dance team in conjunction with the game day coordinator. More specifically, responsible for teaching, coaching, advising and mentoring student-athletes on the team; administer all aspects of the sport in accordance with governing body (if applicable) and university rules and regulations while: teaching student-athletes to be productive citizens who contribute to society for life. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 1) Engaged recruitment of dancers in the community and area to meet required roster size goal, 2) game day dance performances (such as pom, jazz, and hip-hop) with crowd engagement, sideline support at timeouts and halftimes for basketball games as well as pep rallies on campus, 3) student-athlete academic performance, 3) working with the game day coordinator on budget management, 4) coordinating fundraising efforts to support regional competition, 5) program organization, 6) teaching life skills to student-athletes and, 7) engaging the university and local community by building relationships with constituent group members and by personal and team participation in community service activities. The head dance coach must have a philosophy that maintains a talented well trained dance squad that values the educational and personal well-being of its student-athletes while emphasizing the university and athletics department mission, vision, core values and culture. Conduct dance clinics and auditions as required to recruit effectively to the team.

Duties/Responsibilities:

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties or responsibility requirements. Employees may be required to perform other job-related instructions as requested by the supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation .

• Game-Day Environment – Assist the game day coordinator with game day activities that promote a cohesive gameday experience between cheer, dance, band and student fan group. Assist with in-game promotions as necessary in conjunction with the game day coordinator and staff.
• Student Fan Group – Assist with the student fan group during pregame, in-game and postgame activities of the student fan group.
• Practice and Competition – Lead all efforts to train student-athletes the skills needed and provide a positive game day experience for both the student athlete as well as the fans
• Recruiting and Retention – Assist the University and the athletics department with efforts to recruit and retain prospective student-athletes who are: admissible to the university, good citizens who will represent the program well, motivated to graduate from Drury and excellent athletes in the sport.
• Compliance – Promote an atmosphere of compliance for everyone who is directly and indirectly associated with the sport, comply with governing body and university rules and regulations.
• Student-Athlete Academic Performance – Support student-athlete graduation by: monitoring student-athlete academic performance; implementing appropriate study hall, class checking and grade checking programs; partnering with faculty, tutors, mentors, advisors and other university staff to support the academic performance of student-athletes; and implementing appropriate practice and competition limitations as needed for student-athletes who are not performing adequately in the classroom.
• Budget – Managing the budget so the program functions within the operating budget allocated by the university and any money raised to supplement the operating budget.
• Fundraising – Collaborate with the athletics department and advancement staff for fundraising events and promotional activities, secure donations needed to supplement the dance team’s operating budget as necessary.
• Student-Athlete Development – Supplement the education student-athletes receive in the classroom by teaching them life skills that will help them be productive citizens for life, support student-athlete development programming conducted by the athletics department and university.
• Community Engagement – Promote a positive image of the program and the university by building relationships with constituent group members and by personal and team participation in community service activities; maintain positive relations with various media outlets, community groups, university departments and athletics department staff members.
• Social Media – Keep a professional image on dance team social media accounts. Assist with posting on dance team accounts.
• Dance clinics and auditions as necessary to recruit prospective dancers to Drury University.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum knowledge, skills, and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions .

• An understanding of, and commitment to the fundamental role that intercollegiate athletics, when properly implemented, can play in the educational development of Drury student-athletes
• Possession of a thorough knowledge of dance, a sophisticated understanding of coaching strategies, and an ability to enhance student-athlete development
• Leadership skills and the ability to manage team dynamics
• Budget management experience
• Ability to recruit qualified student-athletes to an academically competitive institution
• Knowledge of and commitment to the applicable governing body rules
• Ability to handle stressful situations in a professional manner
• Ability to promote an atmosphere of compliance within the program
• Ability to work successfully with other departments and constituency groups on campus and in the community
• Ability to motivate and develop student-athletes academically and athletically
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Commitment to working with multicultural populations and an awareness of issues affecting women, minorities and international student-athletes
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours
• Ability to travel for work-related activities (e.g., competitions and recruiting)
• Attention to detail while maintaining an understanding of the big picture
• Strong organizational skills resulting in the ability to prioritize workload and meet short-term deadlines on a regular basis
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Ability to manage competition scheduling and budgets, fundraise and teaching life skills to student-athletes
• Proficiency with appropriate computer applications and general office equipment and software
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of two years of experience teaching and coaching dance
• Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop or kneel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

WORKING AT DU HAS ITS BENEFITS:

• Free tuition for your whole family
• Free tickets to Drury home sporting events
• Health and wellness benefits at extremely competitive rates
• Free use of onsite fitness center on Springfield campus
• Discounted meals and Drury merchandise on campus