PCN 542
The Director of Swimming and Diving is responsible for providing leadership and supervision for all aspects of a NCAA Division I swimming and diving program by recruiting academically qualified prospective student-athletes, developing and implementing effective training sessions, practices and game 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 swimming and diving program in accordance with NCAA Division I, Conference, and Merrimack College rules, regulations and policies.
Primary Responsibilities
● Oversee all aspects of the swimming and diving program, demonstrating effective communication and planning, strong organizational and administrative skills, sound decision-making and visionary leadership.
● Responsible for the recruitment of quality student-athletes to meet specified enrollment goals, which includes evaluating talent, visiting/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.
● Determine athletic scholarship allocation for prospective student-athletes, working within requirements set and communicated by athletic administration.
● Organize, plan and conduct effective and efficient team practices and individual skill instruction sessions with demonstrated ability to teach and instruct the sport.
● Responsible for preparing individual student-athletes and the team for competition.
● Build a competitive division 1 schedule; communicate schedule with assigned sports administrator in advance for approval.
● Demonstrate sound fiscal responsibility in the management of the department-approved budget for the program.
● Meet program revenue goals through establishing and conducting camps and clinics, working with alumni and the athletic department’s Friends and Family program.
● Collaborate with Athletics leadership on strategic growth initiatives (i.e. the possibility of enhancing participation opportunities by adding a men’s program), facility utilization, and program expansion.
● Currently responsible for oversight of the women's swimming and diving team with the possibility of adding oversight of a men's team in the future.
● Participate in the development of the whole student-athlete -- athletically, academically and personally, regarding individual well-being and life skills.
● Help monitor and ensure the academic progress of student-athletes.
● Represent the program with the highest level of professionalism, sportsmanship and integrity.
● Build a community of fans and friends, both on and off campus, to support and engage with the swimming and diving community.
● Foster and maintain a culture that demonstrates a commitment to NCAA rules compliance.
● Participate in departmental activities including staff meetings, compliance education, culture and belonging training, guest speakers and other events/meetings.
● Fulfill other specific areas of responsibility related to the swimming and diving program as assigned by the sports administrator and/or Director of Athletics.
Required Qualifications
● Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
● 1-2 years of experience coaching swimming and diving, preferably at the collegiate level.
● Demonstrated commitment to supporting the academic success, personal development, and overall well-being of student-athletes.
● Ability to cultivate a team culture rooted in fairness, honesty, respect, and sportsmanship, consistent with NCAA and institutional values.
● Genuine passion for swimming and diving, and for mentoring and developing student-athletes both in and out of the pool.
● Outstanding interpersonal, leadership and relationship-building skills, with strong verbal and written communication skills.
● Excellent administrative and organizational skills including the ability to prioritize and complete tasks by established deadlines.
● Strong work ethic and commitment to competitive excellence while upholding the highest standards of integrity.
● Demonstrated professionalism and the ability to positively represent the institution, athletics department and the program.
Application Materials Should Include:
Resume or CV
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 and our values.
Work Location
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.
This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.
Statement on Our Mission
Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building an accepting and respectful 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. All candidates should describe in their application how they will foster a culture that supports our mission.
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 4,100 undergraduate, 2,500 graduate students and 50 doctoral students from 48 states and 63 countries. The College features more than 160 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has six schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy, the Girard school of business and the graduate school of counseling and social work. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North 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, ranking 38th in the Regional Universities North category in 2026. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.
Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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