Following the announcement of Frank Busch’s retirement from the position of National Team Director, USA Swimming is conducting a search for a dynamic leader to oversee and direct all aspects of USA Swimming’s National Team program.
A full job description is listed below.
Interested candidates should submit a resume and supporting materials to NTDSearch@USASwimming.org.
Position: National Team Director
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Mission: The National Team Director is responsible for overseeing and directing all aspects of the National Team program with the ultimate goal of ensuring that USA Swimming maintains its position as the #1 ranked swim team in the world.
To achieve this mission, the National Team Director will be expected to:
- Lead the U.S. National Team into and at international competitions
- Ensure that all athletes, coaches and staff are representing USA Swimming in a manner that is consistent with USA Swimming’s standards and values:
- Work with coaches and athletes to help ensure that athletes are prepared to deliver optimum performance in major international competitions
- Lead the team in displaying a positive attitude and team spirit through friendly, honest and forthright interactions
- Be professional in appearance and conduct
- Provide leadership, continuity, oversight and supervision in the development and implementation of the programs, services and projects of the National Team Division
- Develop a strong working relationship with National Team coaches
- Develop a strong working relationship with National Team athletes
- Create annual High Performance Plans for the USOC that will guide the National Team Division
- Work collaboratively with the USOC
- Lead, direct and motivate USA Swimming National Team staff
Travel: Travel to meets and training camps is critical to implement services and programs. Travel will also be expected to get to know the coaches and athletes, and find out how to best serve them.
Job Details: The National Team Director’s job consists primarily of the following.
Athlete and Coach Development
- Provide vision and leadership for America’s top coaches and elite athletes, with the focus on performance success at the Olympic Games and World Championships.
- Provide consistent leadership that ensures the perpetuation and continued growth of a National Team culture that has been historically characterized by the highest levels of personal accountability; medal-winning performance results; team spirit; and national pride.
- Develop and implement programs to help identify and mentor younger and less experienced coaches.
- Provide general oversight and philosophical direction to the National Junior Team program with the goal of maintaining a strong athlete pathway to the National Team and fostering the culture that characterizes the National Team program.
- Assume a strong leadership and communication role with Athletes’ Executive Committee and the National Team Athletes Committee. Ensure that athlete concerns and opportunities are recognized and advocate for those concerns, as appropriate.
- Assume a strong and vocal leadership role in support of USA Swimming’s anti-doping and education programs.
- Address disciplinary action on National Team trips.
National Team Division Support
- Work collaboratively and communicate regularly with the National Steering Committee and National Steering Committee Chair on all appropriate aspects of the National Team program.
- Work collaboratively with other Division Directors as a member of the senior staff team to creatively develop and achieve USA Swimming’s strategic plan and key objectives.
- Participate in senior staff meetings and lead the National Team’s efforts in the annual budget development process.-1
- Work in collaboration with Chief Executive Officer and others to effectively represent and lobby for the needs of the National Team program with domestic and international organizations.
- Perform duties, serve on task groups and take on special assignments as requested by the Chief Executive Officer.
- Direct and supervise the National Team Managing Director and National Team Division staff.-2
International Relations
- Accompany the Chief Executive Officer in all meetings involving the Pan Pacific Charter Nations.
- Attend all meetings of the International Relations Committee and participate in USA Swimming’s International Relations strategic planning and initiatives.
- Participate on the FINA Coaches’ Commission, if requested.
Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Leadership experience with a national level sports organization.
- Strong strategic planning skills.
- Demonstrated experience with development and implementation of High Performance Plans focused on high level success.
- Experience working in international sport.
- Proven relationship-building skills.
- Experience working with elite-level athletes and coaches.
- Proven financial management experience.
- Proven staff management experience.
- Ability to travel and work effectively while away from national office.
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or qualifications associated with the job; other duties may be assigned.
USA Swimming is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
[1] The National Team Division’s operating budget is approximately $10M/year.
[2] There are currently 14 employees in the National Team Division.
Press release courtesy of USA Swimming.