Description
Wilbraham & Monson Academy (WMA) seeks an energetic and experienced Head Coach for Boys Varsity Soccer to take the program to the next level of competition. Housed within the Office of Advancement, and primarily reporting to the Director of Development, this multifaceted role combines alumni engagement, athletic leadership, and enrollment support to advance Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s mission. This position is responsible for building a competitive, values-driven soccer program which supports recruitment and enrollment goals, while cultivating lifelong alumni connections through events, communications, and volunteer engagement to drive philanthropic support. This position requires a dynamic, relationship-oriented professional who thrives at the intersection of institutional advancement, athletics, and admissions.
Alumni Relations Outreach: Establish and build positive relationships with a wide range of alumni, locally, regionally and internationally to maintain engagement. Maintain regular communication with a wide range of constituents through phone calls, direct mail, email blasts, alumni class notes, and eNews. Lead alumni social media strategy across an array of platforms including, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram by creating content, community management, performance tracking, and alignment with advancement messaging. Evaluate Alumni event effectiveness and gather feedback for continuous improvement. Identify and develop new alumni event opportunities through targeted research, aimed at deepening institutional affinity and increasing year-over-year participation rates.
Advancement Support: Plan, coordinate and execute all aspects of Reunion, Alumni Games, and other alumni events held both on and off campus. Lead the implementation and management of a strong volunteer network including class agents, Reunion volunteers, regional alumni associations and annual fund solicitors. Compose and edit featured alumni profiles for Academy World alumni publication. Collaborate with faculty, staff, and administration to coordinate networking opportunities with WMA community and alumni. Serve as one of two Senior Class Advisors and support the transition of graduating students into engaged alumni through targeted communications and programming. Manage an active donor portfolio of 30-40 individuals with the goal of sustaining and increasing their philanthropic support of the Academy. Attend events on campus and regionally as necessary and as requested.
Boys Soccer Coaching Leadership: Serve as Head Varsity Coach and assume full responsibility for the organization and administration of the boys’ soccer program. Prepare and conduct daily practices with comprehensive training programs, game strategies, and seasonal planning to develop competitive excellence. Provide game day coaching and in-game leadership for all varsity competitions. Responsible for team transportation to and from away games, maintaining required supervision and safety standards. Lead, mentor, and empower assistant coaches to ensure a cohesive and high-performing program.
Athletic Recruitment and Program Promotion: Recruit talented soccer players through athletic recruitment networks, showcases, tournaments, and relationship building with club coaches. Provide off-season program support and maintain year-round engagement with current and prospective student-athletes. Respond to requests from media and prospective student-athletes regarding program information and opportunities. Build and maintain relationships with club coaches, tournament directors, and regional soccer organizations. Attend soccer games, showcases, tournaments, and recruitment events to evaluate and recruit prospective players.
Requirements
Experience: Minimum 3-5 years soccer coaching experience at high school, club, or collegiate level. Collegiate level playing experience preferred. Prior experience in events management, alumni relations, or the educational sector is desirable. Athletic recruitment experience highly preferred.
Coaching Certifications: Maintain current coaching licenses and certifications. CPR/First Aid certification required. Willingness to pursue additional coaching education and development.
Specialized Knowledge: Familiarity with fundraising and alumni engagement strategies. Comprehensive understanding of soccer strategy, training methodologies, and player development. Knowledge of athletic recruitment networks, showcase events, and club soccer landscape. Understanding of the independent school environment and student-athlete experience.
Skills and Abilities: Strong interpersonal, communication, analytical, and organizational skills. Excellent leadership and mentoring abilities with capacity to develop student-athletes. Strong relationship-building skills with diverse families and athletic communities. Ability to balance multiple priorities and manage seasonal workload variations. Flexibility to work evenings and weekends for both athletic and alumni responsibilities as needed. Ability and willingness to travel.
Personal Characteristics: Professional demeanor with ability to represent WMA positively to athletic and admissions constituencies. Genuine appreciation of adolescents and commitment to student-athlete development. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with parents, faculty and other employees at various levels with tact and professionalism. High energy and enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, multi-faceted role. Ability to work with confidential materials with discretion. Willingness to learn and become proficient with proprietary and non-proprietary software.
