Head Coach: Men's Soccer

Title: Head Coach: Men’s Soccer

Department/Location:  Athletics Department, Elsah

Position Type: Full-Time, 10-month

Summary

The Head Men’s Soccer Coach leads and manages the intercollegiate men’s soccer program in accordance with NCAA, conference, and Principia College policies. This position holds shared leadership responsibility for the strategic recruitment, enrollment, development, and retention of student‑athletes who align with Principia’s academic standards, institutional values, and enrollment priorities. The role is evaluated not only on competitive success and program management, but also on recruiting effectiveness, enrollment outcomes, and sustained partnership with Admissions. The Head Coach is expected to contribute meaningfully to institutional enrollment goals while fostering a team culture that reflects Principia’s mission, supports student success, and enhances campus life.

Who We Are

At Principia College, our globally focused curriculum encourages students to examine diverse perspectives and become creative changemakers who contribute positively to their communities and the world. Academic rigor is paired with real‑world experience through study abroad programs, internships, capstone projects, and an active slate of student organizations and competitive teams—including a world‑renowned mediation team, top‑ranked solar car team, and the nation’s oldest student‑run public affairs conference.

Principia employees are part of a collaborative and inclusive academic environment where every individual is valued, heard, and supported. We seek colleagues who embrace our mission and contribute meaningfully to student development, enrollment success, and community life.

Title: Head Coach: Men’s Soccer

Department/Location:  Athletics Department, Elsah

Position Type: Full-Time, 10-month

Summary

The Head Men’s Soccer Coach leads and manages the intercollegiate men’s soccer program in accordance with NCAA, conference, and Principia College policies. This position holds shared leadership responsibility for the strategic recruitment, enrollment, development, and retention of student‑athletes who align with Principia’s academic standards, institutional values, and enrollment priorities. The role is evaluated not only on competitive success and program management, but also on recruiting effectiveness, enrollment outcomes, and sustained partnership with Admissions. The Head Coach is expected to contribute meaningfully to institutional enrollment goals while fostering a team culture that reflects Principia’s mission, supports student success, and enhances campus life.

Who We Are

At Principia College, our globally focused curriculum encourages students to examine diverse perspectives and become creative changemakers who contribute positively to their communities and the world. Academic rigor is paired with real‑world experience through study abroad programs, internships, capstone projects, and an active slate of student organizations and competitive teams—including a world‑renowned mediation team, top‑ranked solar car team, and the nation’s oldest student‑run public affairs conference.

Principia employees are part of a collaborative and inclusive academic environment where every individual is valued, heard, and supported. We seek colleagues who embrace our mission and contribute meaningfully to student development, enrollment success, and community life.

Primary Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Team Development

• Leads the intercollegiate men’s soccer program in compliance with NCAA, conference, and Principia College standards.
• Develops a competitive, values‑based team culture that supports student success both on and off the field.
• Designs and implements in‑season and off‑season training programs grounded in best coaching practices and athlete well‑being.
• Provides technical, tactical, and strategic instruction during practices and competition.
• Recruits, supervises, mentors, and evaluates assistant coaches.
• Prepares training plans, match strategies, and individualized player development plans.
• Oversees equipment distribution, inventory, care, and recovery protocols.
• Ensures readiness of practice and competition facilities and manages home game operations.
• Provides annual recommendations for program budgets, equipment, and facility needs.
• Works with the Director of Athletics to develop competitive and sustainable season schedules.
• Coordinates match‑day operations, including staffing, statistics, and officiating logistics.
• Organizes team travel and communicates itineraries to Athletics and Student Life.
• Maintains positive relationships with alumni and community stakeholders in collaboration with Athletics, Alumni Relations, and Advancement.
• Ensures adherence to sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and institutional expectations; reports concerns or violations promptly.
• Completes required administrative, compliance, sport-information, and committee responsibilities.

Strategic Recruitment & Enrollment Leadership

• Recruiting and enrollment are core leadership functions of this position and are evaluated on both process and outcomes.
• Designs, owns, and executes a comprehensive recruiting strategy aligned with Principia’s institutional enrollment goals, academic expectations, mission, and market priorities.
• Identifies, recruits, enrolls, and retains student‑athletes who demonstrate academic readiness, character alignment, and competitive potential.
• Maintains ongoing, collaborative partnership with the Office of Admissions, including shared planning, communication strategy, visit coordination, and yield management.
• Actively participates in shared recruiting systems, timelines, and expectations, including CRM documentation and data‑informed decision‑making.
• Communicates consistently and professionally with prospective students, families, clubs, and high school coaches through phone, email, social media, and in‑person engagement.
• Develops and leads camps, clinics, and recruiting events that advance enrollment objectives in both traditional and emerging markets.
• Coordinates on‑campus visits with Admissions and Athletics to ensure a cohesive, mission‑aligned, student‑centered experience.
• Demonstrates shared accountability for recruiting effectiveness, with performance evaluated through agreed‑upon recruiting and enrollment outcomes as part of the annual review process.
• Contributes to consistency and alignment of recruiting expectations across head coach roles within the Athletics Department.

Student** ‑ ***Athlete Support & Academic Integrity*

• Monitors academic progress and supports student‑athletes navigating academic, personal, or social challenges.
• Ensures participation in athletics enhances—rather than compromises—academic success and degree completion.
• Communicates student concerns promptly and collaboratively with the Director of Athletics and appropriate campus partners.
• Upholds Principia’s conduct expectations and addresses issues with professionalism, care, and consistency.
• Conducts end‑of‑season evaluations and senior exit interviews focused on development, retention, and program improvement.

Professional Advancement & Institutional Engagement

• Attends coaching clinics, conferences, and professional development opportunities.
• Remains current on NCAA regulations, recruiting legislation, and soccer‑specific best practices.
• Participates in relevant professional organizations through service, leadership, or scholarship.
• Demonstrates ongoing progress toward advanced education, licensure, or relevant professional certification.
• Engages fully in campus life and contributes positively to the Athletics Department and broader College community.

Core Competencies

• Continuous Learning & Expertise:  Demonstrates mastery in your area of responsibility and seeks opportunities for professional growth and development.  
• Accountability & Results Orientation: Manages time and priorities effectively, meets commitments, and consistently delivers high-quality outcomes. 
• Communication: Shares information clearly and concisely; listens carefully to others and adjusts communication style for different audiences and situations
• Collaboration & Collegiality: Works cooperatively across departments and teams; values input from others and contributes to a positive, respectful environment.  
• Proactivity & Ownership: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and drives projects forward with minimal supervision while taking responsibility for outcomes.  
• Inclusion & Belonging: Demonstrates respect for all people; values diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of inclusion, belonging, and mutual respect.  

Minimum Qualifications

• Student of Christian Science preferred.
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements 
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred or progress toward relevant certification.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible collegiate coaching experience preferred; comparable experience considered.
• Demonstrated knowledge of soccer coaching methodology, recruiting strategy, and NCAA rules.
• Evidence of strong leadership, ethical conduct, and people‑management skills.
• Proven ability to recruit, develop, and retain student‑athletes aligned with academic and institutional priorities.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, recruiting platforms, and Microsoft Office (or comparable tools).
• Ability to travel and work evenings and weekends as required.

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work, but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia.  

Compensation and Benefits  

We offer a competitive starting salary range for this position: $55,000 - $65,300 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes: 

• Generous Employee Tuition Discount:  Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded). 
• Relocation:  Principia provides a relocation imbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles. 
• Professional Development:  Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support. 
• Comprehensive Benefits : Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more. 

Equal Opportunity

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status. 

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists. 

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