Chicago Public Schools is hiring: Manager, Sports Administration (Elementary) in

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 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.

Located within the Office of College and Career Success (OCCS), the Office of Sports Administration (OSA) manages all CPS interscholastic sports programming and facilitates seasonal participation in both high school and elementary-level athletic competitions. CPS Athletics and Sports Programs provide all students, regardless of race, gender or ethnicity, opportunities to develop physically, mentally, and emotionally in controlled, safe activities outside of the traditional classroom. Participation in school sports provides students with experiences that foster character, citizenship, and academic achievement.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director, Sports Administration, the Manager of Sports Administration will serve as the Office of Sports Administration's primary administrator for district school sports programs, guidelines, and policies at either the elementary or high school level, and will support district leaders and staff in the effective, efficient application and adherence to those expectations. This position will oversee sports terms and conditions, coach compliance and student-athlete eligibility, and will support the development of curriculum for sport-specific skills development. The Manager, Sports Administration will collaborate with colleagues across CPS departments and offices and will lead a team of direct reporting professionals.

The Manager, Sports Administration will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• In collaboration with Director, Sports Administration, develop and support the implementation of sports programming policies at the designated school level
• Support Network and school-level leaders with the application and interpretation of sports program policies and guidelines to ensure uniform adherence across the district
• Serve as a liaison between the district and OSA to effectively address matters that impact the district's sports programs, ensuring the prompt resolution of any issues identified
• Lead and professionally develop direct reporting staff, including providing support, feedback, performance management, and ensuring effective relationship management with stakeholders
• Track and monitor sports compliance and district sports participation, identifying issues and making improvements to support student outcomes for the district's athletics programs
• Represent CPS and the designated school level as a member of the IADA (Illinois Athletic Director Association)
• Manage for Sports Inventory for levels of play (ex: 5th-8th grade; Varsity, JV, Sophomore, Freshman), numbers of coaches and athletes per sport at the designated school level
• Collaborate with designated school-based staff (ie: elementary sport liaisons or high school-level school athletic directors) for sports contest scheduling and season limitations (number of games per sport, tournaments/games, and/or state series, out-of-town events, where applicable)
• Student-Athlete and Coaches Leadership Support (Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA)
• Lead student-athlete skill development and curriculum
• Manage coach mentorship and leadership through CPS approved vendors;
• Monitor athletic programs to ensure stated outcomes are achieved, relevant policies and procedures are met, and services are efficiently provided
• Lead the design and implementation of in-season and postseason sports, including playoffs, championships, and tournaments, as applicable
• Collaborate with the Office of Safety and Security to ensure district safety guidelines and emergency policies and procedures are followed, and to ensure appropriate onsite support is available for CPS-hosted sports events (ex: city and IHSA state series events)
• Partner with the Sports Administration Communications Manager to highlight and profile student-athletes, coaches, and school communities in regular district publications/communications, and/on the Chicago Public League (CPL) website
• Collaborate with direct reports and/or school staff to support all district game scheduling at the designated school level, for example:
• Ensuring that schedules are created and communicated (including posting on the CPL website)
• Ensuring that games have officials assigned to them
• Ensuring that games canceled due to safety concerns or other reasons are rescheduled, etc.
• Assist with attestations for coaches and facilitation of coach stipend payment at the designated school level
• Manage the terms and conditions for all sports offerings
• Schedule and facilitate quarterly meetings for direct reporting and/or other indicated sports-related staff at the designated school level
• Provide on-site support for city SCORE! events, or other athletic events, as needed
• Other duties and work streams as assigned.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Manager, Sports Administration must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

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

Experience Required:

• Minimum of five (5) years of full-time, professional experience in sports administration, including the following, is required:
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a supervisory/manager position leading a team of direct reports
• Experience with interscholastic sports, including supporting or leading multiple sports programs
• Experience with sports program creation and implementation

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Expertise in planning and managing athletic programs and activities
• Knowledge and understanding of, and familiarity with, the policies, procedures, and governing bodies for interscholastic sports, such as:
• Illinois High School Association (IHSA)
• National Federation of High Schools (NFHS)
• Chicago Public League (CPL)
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to design and deliver professional presentations to a wide variety of audiences
• Capable of providing professional coaching, and developing and delivering professional learning that meets the needs of participants
• 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 students, schools and principals, and school communities
• Excellent time and project management capabilities, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, driving them to completion while maintaining high levels of accuracy and attention to detail
• High levels of integrity, honesty, credibility, and the courage to make difficult yet necessary decisions
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps
• Ability to articulate a vision set high standards, and effectively guide schools and principals in the realization of expectations set for their athletic program to meet student needs
• Strong leadership and team-building skills.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. "Up-to-date" on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters