Academy Head Coach & Head of Grassroots Swimming
The St. James – Springfield, VA
Full-Time | Leadership Role | Elite & Developmental Program Oversight
Why This Role Matters
This dual-role position is at the heart of The St. James’ swim ecosystem—from first-time swimmers to college-bound athletes. As Academy Head Coach, you'll lead the development and execution of our high-performance swim program. As Head of Grassroots Swimming, you’ll oversee our instructional and club-level swim offerings. Together, these programs represent the full athlete pipeline under one roof—and your leadership ensures both systems thrive.
What Sets Us Apart
- Comprehensive Infrastructure: A 700,000-gallon competition pool and 6,000 sq. ft. water park supporting daily instruction, training, and competition
- Dual-Sector Oversight: Lead both elite performance and developmental swimming in one integrated system
- Built-In Resources: Access to performance training, recovery, nutrition, and academic support through internal partnerships
- Community-Centered Reach: Grow programs that serve Northern Virginia swimmers across all levels and backgrounds
- Strategic Leadership: Direct coaching staff, curriculum design, competition calendars, and talent pipelines
Key Responsibilities
Academy Swimming – Elite-Level Oversight
- Design and manage a high-performance training curriculum for year-round Academy athletes
- Develop personalized athlete development plans including technical, strength, mental, and tactical components
- Build a competitive meet calendar aligned with national qualifying standards (Futures, Juniors, Trials, etc.)
- Recruit, hire, and lead a staff of performance coaches; ensure consistency in methodology and standards
- Facilitate college recruiting and advancement through strong collegiate and professional swim network connections
- Partner with Academy academic leadership to support student-athlete success in both academics and sport
Grassroots & Club Program Development
- Oversee the design and delivery of swim lessons, developmental teams, age-group training, and seasonal clinics
- Build a scalable curriculum aligned with USA Swimming and LTAD (Long-Term Athlete Development) frameworks
- Establish family communication protocols and swimmer progress tracking tools
- Develop, hire, and mentor coaching and instructional staff across all age groups and skill levels
Operational Leadership
- Ensure facility usage supports both competitive training and community access
- Coordinate with internal departments (Aquatics, Performance, Events, Operations) for facility readiness and support
- Track athlete performance and retention metrics to inform program improvement and growth
- Represent The St. James professionally with families, schools, and the regional swimming community
What You Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Sport Management, Education, or related field (Master’s preferred)
- Minimum 7 years of coaching/program leadership experience, with at least 3 in a senior-level or head coach role
- Proven track record of athlete development, team growth, and college-level placements
- In-depth understanding of elite stroke technique, training methodology, and competitive pathways
- Experience managing staff and scaling multi-tiered swim programming
- Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills
- Ability to work evenings, weekends, and travel as needed
- Passion for swimming and a belief in long-term athlete development
The Opportunity
This is a defining role in a regionally respected, multi-layered aquatics department. If you’re driven to elevate athletes, grow sustainable programs, and lead from both the deck and the boardroom—this is your platform.
Apply Today
The St. James is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity, holistic development, and program excellence.
