Director of Cheer and Dance Program

Position Summary

The Director of Cheer and Dance Program provides leadership, organization, and oversight for Fresno Pacific University’s Cheer and Dance programs, which operate as club sports under the Department of Athletics. This position is responsible for recruiting, training, and coaching student-athletes; developing performances for campus and community events; and enhancing the game-day environment at FPU athletic contests.

The Director fosters school spirit, student engagement, and community connection through creative programming and faith-centered mentorship. The role develops outreach opportunities including youth cheer and dance camps, halftime exhibitions, and appearances at local schools, churches, and community events – all designed to strengthen the visibility and mission of Fresno Pacific University.

This position collaborates closely with Student Life and Athletics to enhance campus engagement, coordinate spirit-related events, and ensure that all activities reflect the mission, vision, and values of FPU.

Essential Functions

Program Leadership

• Provide direct oversight and supervision for the Cheer and Dance Team as FPU club sports programs.
• Lead all aspects of recruiting, training, and supervision of student participants and team leaders.
• Develop and implement practice and performance and competition schedules, choreography, and conditioning programs that promote safety, teamwork, and excellence.
• Establish a minimum roster of 30 student participants for Fall 2026 with growth to 40 in subsequent years.
• Supervise and mentor assistance coaches, graduate assistants, and student leaders as assigned.

Position Summary

The Director of Cheer and Dance Program provides leadership, organization, and oversight for Fresno Pacific University’s Cheer and Dance programs, which operate as club sports under the Department of Athletics. This position is responsible for recruiting, training, and coaching student-athletes; developing performances for campus and community events; and enhancing the game-day environment at FPU athletic contests.

The Director fosters school spirit, student engagement, and community connection through creative programming and faith-centered mentorship. The role develops outreach opportunities including youth cheer and dance camps, halftime exhibitions, and appearances at local schools, churches, and community events – all designed to strengthen the visibility and mission of Fresno Pacific University.

This position collaborates closely with Student Life and Athletics to enhance campus engagement, coordinate spirit-related events, and ensure that all activities reflect the mission, vision, and values of FPU.

Essential Functions

Program Leadership

• Provide direct oversight and supervision for the Cheer and Dance Team as FPU club sports programs.
• Lead all aspects of recruiting, training, and supervision of student participants and team leaders.
• Develop and implement practice and performance and competition schedules, choreography, and conditioning programs that promote safety, teamwork, and excellence.
• Establish a minimum roster of 30 student participants for Fall 2026 with growth to 40 in subsequent years.
• Supervise and mentor assistance coaches, graduate assistants, and student leaders as assigned.
• Provide full oversight of Sunny, the university mascot, including scheduling appearances, supervising and training designated performers, managing costume care and maintenance, and maintaining performance standards that reflect the mission and values of FPU.

Game Day & Campus Engagement - Enhance the game-day atmosphere at home athletic events through coordinated performances, crowd engagement, and themed activities. - Collaborate with Athletics Marketing, Game Operations, and Student Life to create a vibrant and engaging fan experience. - Plan and direct performances at university functions such as Flight Night, Homecoming, and other Campus events promoting school pride. - Coordinate mascot involvement at Athletic contests, campus functions, and community events to enhance engagement and school spirit.

Community Outreach & Events - Develop youth cheer and dance camps, halftime exhibitions, and appearances at local schools, churches, and community gatherings. - Coordinate community performances and service events that build positive visibility for FPU. - Partner with University Advancement and Admissions to incorporate the Cheer and Dance Teams into outreach, recruitment, and promotional activities.

Administration & Compliance - Manage operational budgets, scholarship budgets, roster requirements, inventory, and purchases for uniforms, equipment, and supplies. - Ensure adherence to university club sport policies, risk management procedures, and safety standards. - Maintain accurate rosters, participation records, and travel documentation. - Collaborate with Student Life and Athletics Administration to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and mission.

Other Responsibilities - Attend department meetings and professional development opportunities. - Support the overall mission of FPU Athletics and Student Life through active participation in campus initiatives. - Demonstrate a commitment to serving and inspiring students and colleagues in a context of a Christian University, integrating your Christian faith into your role and responsibilities. - Embrace the mission, vision, and values of Fresno Pacific University, affirm the FPU Faith Expectations, and support the ideals and practices articulated in "The Fresno Pacific Idea” - Uphold and advance Fresno Pacific University’s commitment to Christ-centered higher education, holistic student development, and serving diverse communities. - Complete tasks timely with work that is comprehensive, complete, and accurate - Communicates clearly, listens attentively, and seeks to understand others - Collaborates productively with colleagues of varying skillset - Other job duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

• Experience coaching or directing cheer, dance, or spirit programs.

• Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and mentor student-athletes.

• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Commitment to the Christian mission and values of Fresno Pacific University.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in kinesiology, education, sports management, or related field.
• Experience directly collegiate or high school-level cheer or dance programs.
• Background in choreography, event planning, or campus engagement.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and travel as required.

Environmental Conditions:

• Indoors in gymnasiums, dance studios, and offices, with some exposure to excessive noise, dust, fumes, vibrations, and temperature changes at least eighty percent (80%) of the time.
• Frequent evening and weekend commitments for practices, games, competitions, and community appearances.
• Frequent computer use at a workstation, up to eight hours per day.
• Frequently work at a fast pace with unscheduled interruptions.
• Drive personal or University vehicles to appointments.
• Public contact position requiring professional apparel, personal hygiene, and grooming.

Physical Demands:

• This position typically functions indoors in an office environment with moderate noise associated with athletics and business office equipment. The position does involve travel for meetings and events.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: demonstrate cheer, dance, and stunt skills, remain in a stationary position, be able to move about to access file cabinets/office machinery etc., operate a computer and keyboard and other office productivity machinery such as calculators/copy machines/printers. The employee is occasionally required to position self to reach items on the floor and in high cabinetry.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Employee must be able to communicate with others to exchange information including both over the telephone and in-person communication with callers and community members and be able to read a computer screen and paper documents.
• Reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities will be provided in accordance with law.

University Information

$70,304 is the annual salary for this role and reflects what Fresno Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition to compensation, FPU offers competitive benefits package.

Reserving its rights as a religious institution, Fresno Pacific University is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age or disability, or other classes protected by applicable law. Committed to excellence and actively supportive of cultural diversity, FPU invites individuals who contribute to such diversity to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you should contact FPU’s Human Resources Department at hr@fresno.edu. As a religious institution, the University will administer the equal opportunity employment policy consistent with the Fresno Pacific University statement of faith, the FPU Idea and the University’s governance by the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.

**This information is accurate as of December 9, 2025**

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