Position Overview

The Head Women’s Rowing Coach is responsible for providing leadership and supervision for all aspects of an NCAA Division I women’s rowing program by recruiting academically qualified prospective student-athletes, developing and implementing effective training sessions, practices and race strategies, educating and coaching student-athletes, and supporting student-athletes in their personal, academic and athletic development at Merrimack College. This full-time position, reporting to an assigned sports administrator, is responsible for oversight of the women’s rowing program, including the novice and varsity teams, in accordance with NCAA Division I, Northeast Conference (NEC) and Merrimack College rules, regulations and policies.

Primary Responsibilities:

Position Overview

The Head Women’s Rowing Coach is responsible for providing leadership and supervision for all aspects of an NCAA Division I women’s rowing program by recruiting academically qualified prospective student-athletes, developing and implementing effective training sessions, practices and race strategies, educating and coaching student-athletes, and supporting student-athletes in their personal, academic and athletic development at Merrimack College. This full-time position, reporting to an assigned sports administrator, is responsible for oversight of the women’s rowing program, including the novice and varsity teams, in accordance with NCAA Division I, Northeast Conference (NEC) and Merrimack College rules, regulations and policies.

Primary Responsibilities:

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1. Oversee all aspects of the women’s rowing program, demonstrating effective communication and planning, strong organizational and administrative skills, sound decision-making and visionary leadership.

2. Responsible for the recruitment of quality student-athletes to meet specified enrollment goals, which includes evaluating talent, visiting and communicating with prospective student-athletes and parents/guardians, planning on-campus visits, and completing the appropriate forms and communicating with the athletic compliance office, as needed.

3. Responsible for recruiting novice rowers and maintaining a robust novice women’s rowing program, including attracting students from campus.

4. Determine athletic scholarship allocation for prospective student-athletes, working within requirements set and communicated by athletic administration.

5. Organize, plan and conduct effective and efficient team practices, both on and off the water, and individual skill instruction sessions with demonstrated ability to teach and instruct the sport.

6. Establish race schedule for the fall and spring seasons; communicate schedule with sports administrator in advance for approval.

7. Responsible for preparing individual student-athletes and specific boats for race competition.

8. Demonstrate sound fiscal responsibility in the management of the department- approved budget for the program.

9. Responsible for reaching annual fundraising goal either through philanthropic or other revenue generation, as determined by administration.

10. Engage with alumni, parents and friends to build a community of support for the program.

11. Participate in the development of the whole student-athlete -- athletically, academically and personally, regarding individual well-being and life skills.

12. Help monitor and ensure the academic progress of student-athletes.

13. Represent the program with the highest level of professionalism, sportsmanship and integrity.

14. Foster and maintain a culture that demonstrates a commitment to NCAA rulescompliance.

15. Foster and maintain a culture that demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as well as trust and mutual respect.

16. Supervise assistant coach and/or volunteer assistant coach, and develop an effective and cohesive coaching team.

17. Participate in departmental activities including staff meetings, compliance education, diversity, equity and inclusion training, guest speakers and other events/meetings.

18. Fulfill other specific areas of responsibility related to the program as assigned by the sports administrator and/or Director of Athletics.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

• Demonstrated success as a rowing player with appropriate knowledge of the sport and experience teaching and developing skills and ability.

• Commitment to supporting the academic success and overall well-being of student-athletes.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills and strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Excellent administrative and organizational skills including the ability to prioritize and complete tasks by established deadlines.

• NCAA collegiate playing and/or coaching experience preferred.

Application Materials Should Include:

• Resume

• Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission, our values, and our desire to be a more diverse, equitable and inclusive institution of higher learning.

This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Vaccinations and Remote Work 

This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.

The COVID-19 vaccine and booster for which an individual may be eligible are highly recommended for students, faculty and staff. Merrimack College does not require proof of COVID vaccination for enrollment, employment or to be a guest on our campus. 

Statement on Our Mission

Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building a culturally and racially diverse community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.

Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission and values and advance our work in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups. All candidates should describe in their application previous experience related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as how they will engage in fostering a culture that supports our Catholic and Augustinian mission and our values of diversity, equity and inclusion.

About Merrimack College

The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,000 undergraduate and some 1,400 graduate students from 32 states and 37 countries. The College features more than 100 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College comprises five schools: liberal arts, science and engineering, nursing and health sciences, the Winston school of education and social policy, and the Girard school of business. The College’s suburban 240-acre campus is approximately 25 miles north of Boston in the towns of North Andover and Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, coming in 34th out of 175 schools ranked in the Regional Universities North category in 2022. Merrimack also ranked 3rd in the Most Innovative Schools category. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.