Senior Manager of Elementary Sports

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 350,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Sports Administration, the Senior Manager of Elementary Sports will serve as the primary point of contact for elementary sports programming within the Office of Sports Administration (OSA). This person will focus on opportunities for equity-based introductory youth activities in grades K-4 and athletic skill-based programming and the introduction to competitive sports for grades 5-8. The Senior Manager will supervise two Athletic Program Administrators that support an assigned portfolio of schools and school-based Athletic Coordinators.

The Senior Manager of Elementary Sports will be held accountable for the following key responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Implement and maintain elementary sports programs for grades K-8 and supporting individual sports programming K-12;
  
  
• Partner with the Office of Teaching & Learning, principals, and other staff as applicable to link athletics to elementary academic programs to increase student achievement outcomes;
  
  
• Lead the continuous improvement process including outlining a clear vision, strategy, and operational plan for elementary sports in partnership with the Executive Director
  
  
• Partner with community-based athletic programs and corporate sponsors to secure resources for OSA elementary programs and school communities;
  
  
• Ensure elementary sports programs are compliant with all regulatory requirements and district policies and guidelines;
  
  
• Build, lead and develop a team of elementary Athletic Program Administrators and Athletic Coordinators providing ongoing coaching and feedback to optimize their performance and outcomes;
  
  
• Serve as a resource between the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, and district athletic authorities for the purpose of addressing matters that impact CPS' K-8 athletic programs;
  
  
• Facilitate communication between Network Chiefs, Principals, Athletic Directors, coaches, school communications, students, families, etc;
  
  
• Support coaches and administrators for the purpose of achieving the goals of the OSA;
  
  
• Monitor athletic programs for the purpose of ensuring stated outcomes are achieved, relevant policies and procedures are met, and services are efficiently provided within budgetary guidelines;
  
  

• Partner with the Athletics Compliance Manager and Principals to successfully complete the coach certification process, facilitate the completion of all required training, and the development of athletics schedules with fidelity;
  
  
• Aid in the design and implementation of in-season sports, city/state championships, tournaments, and IHSA, IESA, regional, sectional, and state-level events;
  
  
• Partner with the Communications Manager to highlight and profile student-athletes, school communities, and sports programs from your assigned portfolio of schools via social media and other district communications;
  
  

• Compile data from a wide variety of sources ( e.g. public agencies, staff, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring compliance, analyzing issues, and improving efficiencies within programs; and
  
  
• Performs additional ad hoc duties as assigned.
  
  

Type of Education Required :

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; Masters degree preferred
  
  

Type and Years of Experience Required :

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in sports administration or interscholastic sports
  
  
• Experience with program creation and implementation
  
  
• Supervisory/management experience preferred
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Expertise in planning and managing athletic programs and activities
  
  
• Well versed in multiple school sports programming with an emphasis on elementary sports
  
  
• A passion for youth sports programming focused on elementary sports
  
  
• Ability to articulate a vision, set high standards, and effectively guide schools and principals in the
  
  

realization of their goals in relations to their athletic programs

• Strong leadership and team-building skills including the ability to develop high performing teams and unite groups around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success in athletics
  
  
• Demonstrate high levels of integrity, honesty, credibility, and the courage to
  
  

make difficult yet necessary decisions

• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, to ensure the entire system operates in the most effective manner possible to support schools and principals
  
  
• Ability to perform multiple tasks and adapt to changing context and environments
  
  
• Ability to develop and maintain professional working relationships
  
  
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
  
  
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps
  
  

Residency Requirement:

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and must maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.