Assistant Coach - Men's & Women's Sailing

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

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 & women’s inter-collegiate sailing 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. Full-time, partial year (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.

Additional Responsibilities:

The Assistant Coach will help to create and execute practice plans, and coach at regattas. This position will be called upon to evaluate the team’s performance in practice and competitions and provide feedback on said performances. The Assistant Coach will assist in all aspects of recruiting. They will help to identify and attract student-athletes who will uphold the highest standards of integrity and achievement in the classroom and on the water. The Assistant Coach will also be responsible for assisting with scheduling, team travel, regatta planning and management.

Working Conditions:

• Evening and weekend work required.
• Frequent travel required.
• Job requires work in extreme environmental conditions, including extreme heat and cold, rain, and high levels of noise.

Work Format:

• On-Site

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift equipment associated with the sport.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Minimum of 1 year of coaching sailing or sailing experience at the collegiate, professional or Olympic 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).

Certificates and Licenses:

• Valid driver's license needed.
• CPR and First Aid required.

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: 06/30/2026
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 32.25 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate: $55,000 - $87,000/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, and DMV
• Other Information: N/A

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.