Job Description

General Summary:

The Southwest Aquatic Team (SWAT) is a year-round USA Swimming competitive swim team offering high-quality professional coaching and technique instruction for all ages and abilities and an affiliation with a non-competitive "Swim America" program. SWAT prides itself on creating a positive environment and enriching experience for all members of the club with the goal to provide every member an opportunity to improve swimming skills and achieve success at his or her level of ability, from novice to elite-level competitor.

Under the supervision of the Board of Directors, the Program Director and Head Coach is responsible and oversees all aspects of our competitive swim program, with direct coaching responsibilities.

The overall objective of the position is to continue to guide and grow a USA swimming program that produces the highest attainable levels of competitive excellence in individual and team performance, while fostering a positive environment that fulfills SWAT goals and vision. It is expected that the head coach will foster positive relationships, mentor as appropriate, and communicate well with their coaching staff, swim team members, swim team parents, the Swim America Program Director(s) and the Board of Directors.

The Head Coach must develop the skills and talents of the team members and coaching staff while promoting teamwork, sportsmanship and encouraging personal development and excellence.

The Head Coach will be expected to work in partnership with area pool management, Wisconsin Swimming and other stakeholders and further develop the team's position as a leading program in Wisconsin.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Serve as the overall Head Coach and Program Director for the team's competitive program, providing leadership and guidance to the team's committee chairs and administrators.

Programming and Coaching Responsibilities

• Provides vision, leadership, and management of the day-to-day operations of the successful, values-oriented SWAT competitive swimming program, including senior competitive teams, junior competitor teams, age group (including 8 & under) competitive teams, and master's programs. This includes regular visits to each of the sites to ensure high standards of program quality and excellence as well as positive relationships with all staff, parents, and athletes.
• Develop the team's training group structure and team policies.
• Evaluate training plans and goals for swimmer development for all athletes at all levels, including managing the planning of training cycles in conjunction with group lead coaches.
• Lead coach for Junior (Red and Blue) and Senior (Red and Blue). Additional groups may be added as needed.
• Organize and manage all coaching and administrative staff assignments, responsibilities and career development, including:
• Review and evaluation of Staffing levels
• Assignment and delegation of duties
• Supervisory and evaluation responsibilities of coaches
• Develop training plans for coaches' development and continuing education
• Manage all hiring and personnel actions for competitive program, administrative staff, and volunteer positions.
• Provides vision, leadership, and management to the Head Group Swim Coaches, while also providing support to all part-time staff that includes coaching and leadership traits to ensure a high-quality swim program.
• Regularly provides coaching support to ensure consistency across sites as well as provides technical guidance and coaching to all staff.
• Models' relationship-building skills in all interactions. Leads the implementation of open, clear, consistent, and effective communication with athletes, parents, staff, volunteers, and coaches.
• Maintain and increase overall club participation, including participation at the highest levels of the sport. (i.e., Wisconsin State Championships, NCSA Championships, Speedo Sectionals, etc.).
• Manage and delegate administrative duties.

Partnership, Policy, and Communication Responsibilities

• Actively build collaborative working relationships with area high school coaches, area high school athletic directors, area park and recreation departments, and the Board of Directors.
• Abide by the ASCA and USA Swimming Code of Ethics.
• Enforce Team and LSC Policy and Procedures.
• Serve as a role model for the coaches and swimmers and ensures adequate representation of SWAT, including but not limited to attendance at the annual LSC meeting.
• Work in partnership with Wisconsin Swimming and other stakeholders and further develop the team's position as a leading program in Wisconsin.
• Work with group coaches to provide opportunities for family involvement. These opportunities include volunteering at meets, individual meetings, and special event participation.
• Lend leadership and guidance to the Swim America Director by supporting the Swim America program in planning lessons and supporting activities related to recruitment to the competitive swim program.
• Develop and maintain relationships with all outside vendors. This includes understanding current and future pool space needs to ensure they are met, managing SWAT hosted meets and end of year banquet, sponsorship plans, and meet schedules.
  Plan and lead allmember parent meetings (in accordance with bylaws).

Financial and Business Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of SWAT's financial and business functions ensuring budgeted goals are met while following all business guidelines.
• In conjunction with the business manager and treasurer, drafts monthly financial reports for Board of Directors.
• Proactively manages team expenses and deck management of assistant coaches, including
  compensation. Works in conjunction with business team members to achieve stated goals.
• Attend team Board of Directors meetings and provide monthly reports as to the status, policies and activities of the team and its staff.
• Develop and implement a program performance strategy while regularly analyzing and evaluating the overall SWAT team strategy to ensure alignment. This includes coordinating the athlete advancement process to ensure consistent implementation across all groups.
• Manage day-to-day operating issues including (but not limited to):
  • Manage facilities procurement
  • Recruit, retain, and grow the team
  • Drive regular staff meetings
  • Plan team practice schedule and meet schedule, including team and coaches travel, meet entry assignments, and other meet administrative duties
  • Other duties and responsibilities assigned by the Board of Directors.

Requirements / Qualifications:

• Five-plus years of coaching excellence at the Senior level (club/high school/YMCA) that features tangible improvement by elite and developmental swimmers preferred. Less experienced candidates will be considered.
• Member in good standing with USA Swimming and current on all certifications.
• Bachelor's Degree in a related field is a plus.
• Must pass USA Swimming and SWAT background check and drug test requirements.
• Extensive background in competitive swimming, stroke mechanics, and understanding of USAS rules and regulations.
• Prior experience in a leadership role of training, managing, and developing lead and assistant coaches is preferred.
• Excellent communication, organizational skills, and motivational skills with a strong sense of personal integrity.
• Experience using Captyn, Hy-Tek, and Meet Manager preferred.
• Track record of fostering a culture of team unity among swimmers, parents and staff.
• Vision for appropriate balance of distance, sprint, technique and strength/conditioning work throughout the entire program.
• Knowledge of strength and conditioning training, dryland, and functional movement.
• Strong understanding of overall balance of training and taper techniques, both in water and dry-land, for all age groups, abilities, specialties and body types.
• Enthusiasm for continuing coaching education.
• Legal authority to work in the USA with a valid driver's license and transportation.
• Required to travel periodically with athletes to "away" meets.
• Regularly required to walk and stand for long periods of time on the pool deck.
• Required to supervise competitive program coaching staff, Operations Manager, and Business Manager.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary commensurate with experience within the $70,000-$85,000 range.
• No health or retirement benefits available.
• Reimbursement for health insurance obtained outside of the club negotiable.
• Club issued laptop computer will be provided. There are no allowances for internet or phone service.
• If the Head Coach has children participating in the club, training fees may be reduced or waived at the direction of the Board of Directors.

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