Director of Athletics and Physical Education

The Director of Athletics and Physical Education will provide comprehensive leadership and administrative oversight for all aspects of Wellington's athletics (grades 6-12) and physical education (age 3-grade 12) programs. As a member of the Wellington Administrative team and reporting to the Chief Operations Officer, the Director of Athletics and Physical Education will ensure the athletics and physical education programs align with the school’s values, promoting sportsmanship, teamwork, and athletic development. As a critical partner to the Head of School, this role emphasizes integrating the school’s mission into every facet of athletics and envisioning the future for athletics at Wellington.  

The Wellington School offers interscholastic athletics to students in grades 6 through 12, supporting 19 upper school and 15 middle school programs. Upper school teams are members of the Ohio High School Athletic Association and compete in the Mid State League. Middle school teams play a wide range of opponents in the greater Columbus area. Wellington athletes have had state level success and have won league championships in a variety of sports. Typically, 80% of Wellington upper and middle school students participate in the athletics program on an annual basis.  

Leadership and Strategy 

The Director of Athletics and Physical Education will drive the vision for Wellington’s athletic programs, ensuring they reflect the school’s commitment to character development, athletic success, fostering inclusivity and physical well-being. The Director of Athletics and Physical Education will collaborate with school administrators, faculty, and staff to align the athletics program with the broader goals of student health and wellness. 

Supervisory Responsibilities 

The Director of Athletics and Physical Education will lead and supervise a dynamic and supportive team of individuals including an Assistant Athletic Director, Athletics Trainer, Sports Performance Director, three full-time Physical Education teachers, and one part-time Physical Education teacher. 

Athletics Responsibilities

Personnel Management: Oversee the hiring of Athletic Department personnel, manage the onboarding of new coaches, conduct annual coaching reviews, and ensure equitable distribution of stipends. 

Budget Management: Maintain, monitor, and adjust the department’s budget to ensure adequate financial resources are available for all athletic programs, including equipment, uniforms, facility maintenance, travel, and personnel costs. 

Administrative Management: Maintain comprehensive records of athletic contests, team and individual awards, and oversee the preparation of end-of-season reports, including team recognition events, coach evaluations, and surveys. 

Athletic Schedules: Schedule interscholastic contests for over 300 events annually, oversee game and official contracts, and oversee transportation logistics. 

Event Management: Prepare facilities for athletic contests, oversee admissions gate operations, and ensure the accommodation of visiting teams and officials. 

Equipment/Uniform Management: Oversee the distribution, collection, and inventory of athletic equipment and uniforms. 

Physical Education Responsibilities

Develop a research-based, innovative philosophy for the PE curriculum that provides clear guidelines for program growth and development. 

Promote and support ongoing professional development for physical education teachers. 

Establish and communicate clear instructional expectations, conducting annual evaluations to ensure quality teaching. 

Manage the physical education budget and purchasing of new equipment. 

Develop a comprehensive scope and sequence, setting goals, objectives, standards, and strategies to effectively implement the PE curriculum. 

Ideal candidates should hold a bachelor's degree in athletic administration, physical education or a related field, with at least 5 years of experience in athletic administration and coaching.  

Candidates should also have:  

• Extensive experience in interscholastic athletic leadership, preferably in an independent school setting. 
• A strong passion for student development through athletics, with a dedication to creating inclusive, values-driven programs. 
• Proven experience in managing athletic budgets and department finances. 
• A solid background in scheduling, organizing teams, and overseeing the logistics of interscholastic sports programs. 
• Demonstrated success in recruiting, hiring, and mentoring a high-performing coaching staff. 
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with a focus on collaboration and building strong relationships. 
• Willingness to frequently work evenings and weekends 
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity in all professional practices 

We believe every person plays a role in making Wellington a diverse, equitable, and inclusive place to learn, teach, and work. We seek to attract culturally and academically diverse faculty and staff who thrive on being engaged participants in our vibrant, innovative educational community. We embrace diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of our admission policies, financial aid, or employment.

• Daily work driven by an inspiring mission: To help students find their purpose and realize their potential for tomorrow's world
• Warm and welcoming culture
• Opportunities to participate in school life
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid maternity leave
• 403b retirement and contribution match immediately at hire
• 14 paid holidays
• Paid time off, sick days, personal days, and bereavement time
• Wellington tuition remission (50%)
• Free fresh daily lunch during the school year with accommodations for dietary restrictions and preferences
• Free parking
• Work schedule 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (flexible work hours to support weekend and evening events)