Athletic Director

Beverly Hills, Michigan, Detroit Country Day School seeks to hire its next Director of Athletics. The Director of Athletics will serve as the chief executive and strategic leader of one of the school's most visible and impactful programs. This individual will provide visionary leadership for a highly visible and mission-driven athletic program that balances competitive excellence, broad participation, character development, and student well-being. The AD will oversee an athletics department which includes 500,000 square feet of indoor space and 60 acres of property and which offers 87 different middle and upper school teams. An $8.6MM stadium renovation to be completed in October of 2026 and a $2MM XR “Hollywood” film studio which is used in digital media and broadcast classes (athletics content for social media and digital scoreboard) are amongst some newer innovations within the athletics program. The Athletic Director will: Develop and implement a clear strategic vision for Yellow Jacket Athletics that aligns with the school's mission, values, and "sound mind, sound body" philosophy. Recruit, develop, supervise, and evaluate coaches while fostering a culture of accountability and professionalism. Ensure consistent implementation of athletic policies, expectations, and standards across all teams, programs, and divisions. Strengthen communication and engagement with students, parents, coaches, faculty, alumni, and other athletic stakeholders. Evaluate participation trends, program offerings, and competitive goals to ensure the long-term sustainability and success of the athletic program. Partner closely with Admissions and school leadership to support enrollment efforts and promote the value of athletics within the broader DCDS educational experience. Oversee the athletic department budget, staffing structure, facilities planning, and operational effectiveness of the program. Champion the holistic development of student-athletes through leadership development, wellness initiatives, strength and conditioning, and college athletics guidance. Qualifications and Personal Attributes:

Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred. Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in athletics administration, independent schools, higher education, or a similarly complex organization. Demonstrated success leading large, multifaceted organizations through periods of growth, change, and strategic evolution. Strong understanding of independent school culture and the role athletics plays in advancing institutional mission, enrollment, student experience, and community engagement. Experience managing complex budgets, personnel, and organizational resources. Experience overseeing large-scale operational environments with multiple constituencies and competing priorities. Knowledge of current trends affecting independent school athletics, including student-athlete wellness, club sports, specialization, college recruitment, and changing parent expectations. Exceptional leadership presence with the ability to inspire confidence, build trust, and foster collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups. Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to assess complex situations and make thoughtful, data-informed decisions. Outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills. High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, integrity, humility, and professional maturity. A visible, relationship-oriented leadership style marked by approachability, authenticity, and strong listening skills. Ability to embrace and advance Detroit Country Day School's mission and its longstanding commitment to developing a "sound mind in a sound body.

To Apply: Carney, Sandoe & Associates (CS&A) is conducting this search on behalf of the school. Candidates interested in applying for the position of Athletics Director at Detroit Country Day School should immediately send a cover letter and resume to CS&A consultants Tim Green (tim.green@carneysandoe.com) and/or Rice Bryan (rbryan@carneysandoe.com). For more information, visit the CS&A website at www.carneysandoe.com. Interested candidates should submit materials by the end of September, if not before.