Founded in 1894, The Woodward School for Girls is an independent college preparatory school serving students in grades 6–12 and postgraduates in Quincy, Massachusetts. With approximately 75 students, Woodward offers a close-knit, mission-driven community focused on developing confident, capable young women. The school has experienced significant growth in recent years, 65% enrollment growth over five years, and is positioned for continued expansion through strategic programmatic investment, including in athletics.

Position Overview

The Woodward School for Girls seeks a dynamic, mission-aligned professional to serve as its Director of Athletics & Student Recruitment. This is a unique opportunity to lead a growing athletic program while playing a direct and meaningful role in the school’s enrollment efforts. The ideal candidate is a passionate coach, a natural relationship-builder, and someone who believes deeply in the transformative power of an all-girls education.

This position is part of the Institutional Advancement Team and reports directly to our Associate Head of School. The Director works in close partnership with the Director of Enrollment Management and sits at the intersection of athletics, admissions, and community engagement. Approximately 60% of the role is focused on leading Woodward’s athletic program; the remaining 40% supports the Admissions Office in recruiting and enrolling students, both student-athletes and the broader prospective student population.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience coaching and mentoring girls at the middle or high school level, strong relationship-building instincts, and the ability to move families through an admissions process with warmth, persistence, and genuine enthusiasm for what Woodward offers.

The Woodward Wildcats Athletic Philosophy

The Woodward Wildcats athletic program is built on the belief that participation in athletics and team sports provides tremendous physical, psychological, and social benefits. Lessons learned on the field or court include goal setting and follow-through, the value of practice and preparation, how to manage both disappointment and success, grace under pressure, sportsmanship, teamwork, time management, and decision-making. These life lessons and the positive relationships that form on a Wildcat team follow and sustain our scholar-athletes throughout their lives.

Key Responsibilities

Athletic Program Management (approx. 60%)

• Oversee all aspects of Woodward’s three varsity sports programs: soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball and potentially ultimate frisbee in the future.
• Manage scheduling, officials, transportation, and compliance for all athletic programs
• Hire, supervise, and support coaching staff across all sports
• Maintain a safe, positive, and competitive athletic environment aligned with the school’s mission
• Serve as the primary liaison between coaches, students, families, and school administration
• Manage the athletic department budget in partnership with the Business Manager
• Maintain and oversee all athletic facilities, ensuring safe and well-functioning environments
• Purchase and maintain athletic equipment across all programs
• Build community relations and serve as a visible, positive representative of Woodward athletics
• Plan athletic department fundraising initiatives in coordination with school leadership
• Organize and MC the annual Athletics Recognition Night each spring

Student Recruitment & Admissions Support (approx. 40%)

• Serve as a front-line admissions representative and actively participate in recruitment, interviewing, and enrollment efforts for grades 6-12 and Postgraduate.
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of prospective students through outreach to feeder schools, educational consultants, youth organizations, athletic clubs, community partners, and referral sources throughout Greater Boston and beyond. Manage assigned prospective families throughout the admissions process, providing consistent follow-up and personalized outreach to increase application completion and enrollment conversion.
• Represent The Woodward School for Girls at athletic showcases, tournaments, school fairs, community events, and other recruitment opportunities to generate qualified inquiries and applications.
• Support admissions event planning and execution, including open houses, shadow days, yield events, and admitted-student programming.
• Participate in applicant review and admissions committee discussions as appropriate.
• Assist with retention and re-enrollment efforts by helping families remain engaged and connected to the school community.
• Track recruitment activity, referral sources, and enrollment outcomes to help inform future admissions strategies.
• Meet annual recruitment and enrollment goals established by school leadership.
• Teach a weekly gym class, leadership class, supervise weekly clubs, supervise lunches and morning drop off on a rotating basis and other duties as assigned by the Head of School.

Qualifications

• Experience teaching, coaching, and mentoring girls at the middle school and/or high school level
• Established local contacts within the girls basketball community
• Proven ability to recruit, cultivate, nurture and coach student athletes of all ability
• A genuine belief in the power of girls’ athletics and girls’ education to build confidence, character, and community
•    Understanding and appreciation of soccer, basketball or volleyball at the high school or club level
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, build relationships, and work an enrollment or sales funnel
• Private school admissions experience preferred
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; comfortable making calls, following up, and engaging families at all stages of the admissions process
• Organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities across athletics and admissions
• Commitment to the mission of an independent, all-girls school environment
• Experience in an independent school or athletics administration setting preferred
•    Ability to recruit,hire and mentor other less experienced coaches and evaluate them
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or coaching certifications a plus

Compensation & Benefits

The Director of Athletics & Student Recruitment is a full-time position with a base salary of $53,000, complemented by a competitive benefits package. Woodward’s school calendar provides substantial vacation time during the school year and over the summer.

Additional earning opportunities include:

• Varsity coaching stipend based on qualifications and program need (one season)
• Outside camp and clinic work during scheduled school breaks
• Opportunity to create a summer athletics camp for additional salary potential

This is a rare opportunity for a motivated, people-first professional to build something meaningful at a growing all-girls school while making a direct impact on enrollment and the lives of young women.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to the Head of School at The Woodward School for Girls. Please send all materials to https://careers.nais.org/jobs/22335963/director-of-athletics-and-recruitment Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The Woodward School for Girls is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.