Athletic Director

Athletic Director

Reports To: Franklin High School Principal

Work Year: 12 months per year

Salary Range: $120,000 - $130,000

Franklin Public Schools is seeking an experienced and accomplished Athletic Director to lead a competitive high school athletic program in Massachusetts. This is a 12-month leadership position for a professional with a record of building strong programs, developing coaches, and fostering a culture in which student-athletes thrive. Franklin Public Schools offers a competitive salary and benefits package, along with an administrative team committed to supporting the success of this role.

About Franklin Public Schools

Franklin Public Schools is a high-performing PreK–12 district in a growing, engaged suburban community 25 miles southwest of Boston. Franklin High School holds full accreditation from the Massachusetts Department of Education and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

The Franklin High School Panthers compete in the Hockomock League, one of the most competitive athletic conferences in the state, and have built a record of sustained excellence across nearly every sport. Recent program highlights include:

• Earned several Boston Globe Dalton Trophy awards, which are given annually to the Massachusetts high school with the best overall varsity athletic performance across all programs.
• Recent program champions include MIAA Division I state titles in Boys Basketball, Girls Volleyball, and Cheerleading, as well as multiple Division I State Final appearances.
• Frequent Hockomock League Championships across several sports
• Multiple MIAA Coach of the Year honorees across programs in recent years, with individual student-athletes earning Boston Globe All-Scholastic, Boston Herald All-Scholastic, and league MVP recognition across multiple sports each season.

The athletic program focuses on developing successful student-athletes. An Athletic Director will inherit a proud tradition and the community support to keep it growing.

Key Responsibilities

The Athletic Director oversees all varsity and junior varsity programs, reports to the FHS Principal, and works closely with district leadership to align athletic operations with the values and direction of Franklin Public Schools.

Program Leadership

• Display a passion for sports and an enthusiasm for coaching and mentoring.
• Leads with integrity, ethics, knowledge, responsibility, respect, courage, compassion, and a strong work ethic.
• Serves as the chief spokesperson for the district’s athletic program.
• Ability to manage relationships with coaches, school administrators, and the public with poise and composure.
• Strong analytical, administrative, and multitasking skills.
• A proven track record in creating and overseeing an athletic department’s strategic plan.
• Set the strategic direction for FHS athletics, developing and executing a long-range departmental plan aligned with the district’s mission and school improvement priorities.
• Partner with the principal to define the athletic program's primary goals, objectives, and priorities.
• Engage in proactive problem-solving with the principal to address potential issues and ensure the athletic program operates efficiently.
• Recruit, mentor, evaluate, and develop the coaching staff to maintain a culture of sportsmanship, accountability, and continuous improvement at every level.
• Serve as the primary liaison among student-athletes, coaches, families, fans, school administration, and the broader community, including the FHS Booster organizations.
• Represent Franklin High School in all MIAA matters, ensuring full compliance with eligibility rules and all other program requirements.
• Maintains a consistent focus on increasing student participation and promoting positive sportsmanship.
• Oversees the development, implementation, and annual review of the athletic department handbook and policy manual.
• Remains current on state and local policies, regulations, and requirements related to athletics and ensures timely implementation of updates and changes.
• Supervises, supports, and evaluates athletic staff, coaches, and the overall program, including summer athletic programs.

Operations

• Manage the athletic department budget in coordination with the School Business Administrator, maintaining transparent purchasing controls and compliance with district financial policies.
• Oversee student-athlete eligibility and physical examination tracking through a centralized system, ensuring all athletes are in compliance for participation in the season.
• Manage the vetting, contracting, and payment of game officials in compliance with district and state requirements, including W-9 and CORI documentation for all contractors.
• Administer the athletic fee collection program, including a written policy, hardship payment plan, digital payment tracking, and timely family communication.
• Provides regular updates on upcoming athletic events, student athletic achievements through multiple forms of communication (i.e. website, email, newsletter, Panther App, and social media).
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for all core athletic functions, and lead pre-season coaching staff meetings.
• Engage in regular communication and collaboration with school and district administration on matters involving student-athletes and/or the athletic program.

Facilities, Safety & Events

• Coordinate all athletic scheduling, facility use, and transportation logistics to ensure smooth operations for home and away contests.
• Maintain safe and well-kept athletic facilities in partnership with the Facilities Department, and assume supervisory responsibility for the conduct and safety of all athletic events.
• Coordinate athlete medical protocols with school health personnel and ensure all coaches are current on state-mandated training requirements.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience as a seated Athletic Director or senior athletic administrator
• Active DESE Supervisor/Director license.
• Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) or Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA) designation
• NIAAA Certification.
• Master’s degree in Athletic Administration, Education Administration, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated knowledge of MIAA regulations, Title IX, and Massachusetts interscholastic compliance requirements.
• Current certification in First Aid, CPR, and AED.

Preferred

• Head varsity coaching experience at the high school or collegiate level.
• Familiarity with FamilyID, ArbiterSports, or equivalent eligibility and scheduling platforms.
• Experience in a public school district, including familiarity with booster organization management.
• Demonstrated record of equity-centered athletic programming and anti-bias leadership practice.

What We Offer

• A competitive, benefit-eligible 12-month compensation package.
• A supportive administrative team and district leadership committed to your success.
• An engaged community with an active booster organization and strong family involvement.
• A championship-caliber program with competitive history, committed coaches, and the organizational backing to keep building.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Franklin Public Schools is committed to maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment in accordance with state and federal law, including based on age, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, pregnancy-related status, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual harassment, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information and/or disability.