Assistant Coach - Football
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Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.
Job Description
Job Summary:
Under the direction of the Head Coach, the purpose of this position is to use athletics as a tool to educate college students. By using inter-collegiate competition and all activities related to such competition, this position serves as a teacher and mentor to help build student character, prepare students for a constructive and effective life, and teach valuable life lessons including work ethic; discipline; resilience; persistence; teamwork and selflessness; goal-setting and goal achievement; overcoming adversity; and leadership. This position typically influences student-athletes for their entire four years at Harvard and plays a key role in shaping their personal development.
This position assists in planning, directing, and coaching the men’s inter-collegiate football program. Typically works with all student-athletes in the program.
This position typically requires experience coaching at the collegiate level or comparable experience. Comparable experience may include coaching/teaching at the professional level. Particularly for sports that are more prominent on an international level than in the United States, comparable experience may include playing in a professional or other high-performance environment, such as for a national team or at the Olympic level.
This is a one-year term position renewable at the discretion of the Head Coach and the Athletics Director. The role is full-time, with a partial-year schedule of 11 months.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
1. Athlete Team Management
- Focuses on developing student-athlete skills, helping to plan and execute practices, supporting in-game management, and coordinating a portion of team programming of particular importance. Helps team perform at competitive levels.
- Typically has some impact on developing the skills for a portion of student-athletes.
- Requires the ability to effectively communicate with students by generating enthusiasm through credible coaching.
- Assists in analyzing video for scouting opponents and team development.
- Assists in recruiting and retaining talent consistent with values of excellence and inclusion; assists in developing team enthusiasm for recruitment and retention.
- Supports culture of education through athletics. Assists in academic integration with team, as appropriate.
2. Operational Complexity
- Typically assists in the execution of strategy, logistics and operational direction of the team, with greater supervision. Where expenditures are permitted, operates within budget.
- Participates in professional activities, as appropriate. With instruction, follows trends and embraces innovation opportunities.
- Problems faced may be moderately complex.
- Requires the ability to communicate effectively with the coaching staff and athletics administrators.
Harvard University, an FCS Division 1 Institution is currently looking to hire an Assistant Coach (Safeties). This Assistant Coach will work closely with the head coach and staff, with primary responsibilities focusing on instructing safeties.
In addition, the Assistant Coach will:
- help instruct and develop student athletes
- assist in making strategic decisions in contest situations
- support the strength and conditioning of the athletes
- be responsible for recruiting for a specific geographic area
- handle administrative responsibilities associated with the program operations
Working Conditions:
- Evening and weekend work required.
- Job requires work in extreme environmental conditions, including extreme heat and cold, rain, and high levels of noise.
Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to lift equipment associated with the sport.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent relevant experience.
- Requires at least 1 year of football coaching experience, and/or football playing experience, at the collegiate or professional level.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Requires substantial sport-specific knowledge and knowledge of relevant issues.
- Understands the philosophy, principles and policies of college athletics (including the University Conflict of Interest and Commitment policy).
- Strong interpersonal and communications skills, including the ability to work with and relate well to a diverse group of athletes, administrators, and University constituents. Must be able to establish yourself as a respected coach to students, University administration and faculty, alumni, and media representatives. Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and a database. Basic video filming, editing and analytical ability.
- The ideal candidate has a demonstrated track record of success as a coach and recruiter. Must be able to respect and comply with guidelines set forth by Harvard, the Ivy League, and the NCAA.
Certificates and Licenses:
- CPR and First Aid required.
- Valid driver's license preferred.
Additional Information
- Appointment End Date: 01/31/2027
- Standard Hours/Schedule: 32.25 hours per week
- Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): $71,000-$111,000/annual
- This is an 11-month position and the salary range above will be pro-rated accordingly.
- Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
- Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal
- Other Information:
Harvard is a highly selective liberal arts college whose mission is to educate citizens and citizen-leaders for our society. The College is a residential institution of nearly 7,000 undergraduates and is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard is deeply committed to the intellectual, social and personal transformation of its undergraduates during their four years at Harvard.
The Department of Athletics offers 42 varsity programs for men and women, more than any other Division I school in the United States. We also offer extensive recreational and intramural programs.
Harvard employees have access to a competitive benefits package that includes multiple options for the health and well-being of our employees as well as ongoing professional development.
All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources. We regret that, due to the number of responses we typically receive, we may be unable to respond to phone calls or contact personally those applicants not selected for an interview.
We actively seek and welcome applications from diverse candidates and from those with a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society. NOTE - this role is not eligible for Paid Time Off (PTO).
Work Format Details
This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 000. Corresponding salary information can be found in the job description above.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Generous paid time off including parental leave
- Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
- Retirement plans with university contributions
- Wellbeing and mental health resources
- Support for families and caregivers
- Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
- Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks
Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.