Director of Athletics and Physical Education

Congressional School, in Falls Church, VA, has engaged DovetailED to lead a search for a Director of Athletics and Physical Education. Interested candidates should review the Opportunity Statement and submit a cover letter, resume, and list of references as a consolidated PDF to Lynda Hamilton-Kirk, Managing Partner at [email protected].

Congressional School Director of Athletics and Physical Education Statement Link: https://bit.ly/congressional-school-DAPE.

Position Summary

Congressional School seeks a dynamic and collaborative Director of Athletics and Physical Education to lead its comprehensive physical education and Middle School inter-scholastic sports programs for the 2027-2028 Academic Year. The Director leads and works side-by-side with a dedicated team-including PE teachers, athletic coaches, and aquatics personnel-to deliver a meaningful, developmentally appropriate physical fitness experience that integrates Congressional School's Mission, Vision, and Core Values.

As a member of the School's Leadership Team, the Director is responsible for day-to-day operations, programmatic logistics, and long-term strategic visioning to position Congressional School's athletic and PE programs as a benchmark among peer independent schools.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads, develops, organizes, supervises, and evaluates the entire physical education and athletic curriculum across all grade levels.
• Collaborates with Academic Division Heads to ensure student needs are met and program experiences align with the School's educational philosophy.
• Serves as an active member of the School's Leadership Team and represents the department at school-wide events.
• Establishes a strategic vision for staffing, scheduling, and program expansion.

Instructional & Departmental Oversight

• Directs, supervises, and evaluates physical education teachers, coaches, and aquatics staff to foster professional excellence.
• Teaches PE classes, demonstrating pedagogical excellence and hands-on leadership.
• Ensures physical education activities to accommodate diverse developmental needs and individual student requirements.

Operations, Safety & Logistics

• Ensures the overall health, safety, and well-being of all student participants in physical education and athletic programs.
• Coordinates game and meet schedules, transportation logistics, and official assignments.
• Oversees the acquisition, distribution, cleaning, maintenance, repair, and storage of athletic uniforms and equipment.
• Partner with the Facilities Manager to maintain the security, functionality, and safety of fields, gymnasiums, and athletic facilities.

Administration, Budget & Compliance

• Manages the annual departmental budget to allocate resources effectively across PE and inter-scholastic sports.
• Maintains compliance with all relevant league, county, and state athletic regulations.
• Oversees all internal and external communications regarding the athletics and physical education programs.

Qualifications and Requirements

Education & Experience

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education, Kinesiology, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• Teaching Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of physical education teaching experience. A strong preference will be given to candidates with Middle School and Lower School experience.
• Supervisory Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or administrative experience leading faculty/coaches.

Key Competencies & Professional Attributes

• Leadership & Inspiration: Proven ability to inspire, mentor, and lead dedicated faculty and students across varying developmental stages.
• Communication: Exceptional oral and written communication skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaboration & Multi-tasking: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to balance competing priorities within a collaborative environment.
• Integrity & Professionalism: Acts as a role model of high ethical standards, accountability, and strong personal integrity.