Head Coach: Rugby

Title: Head Coach: Rugby

Department/Location:  Athletics Department, Elsah
  Position Type:  Full‑Time, 10‑month

Summary

The Head Rugby Coach leads and manages the intercollegiate rugby program in accordance with national governing bodies, conference affiliation, 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 and programmatic success, but also on recruiting effectiveness, enrollment outcomes, student‑athlete retention, and sustained collaboration with Admissions. The Head Coach is expected to contribute meaningfully to institutional enrollment goals while fostering a high‑character, values‑based team culture that 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 a vibrant slate of student organizations and competitive teams—including a national champion rugby club, 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 individuals are valued, supported, and empowered to contribute meaningfully. We seek colleagues who embrace our mission and actively support student development, enrollment success, and community engagement.

Primary Responsibilities

Title: Head Coach: Rugby

Department/Location:  Athletics Department, Elsah
  Position Type:  Full‑Time, 10‑month

Summary

The Head Rugby Coach leads and manages the intercollegiate rugby program in accordance with national governing bodies, conference affiliation, 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 and programmatic success, but also on recruiting effectiveness, enrollment outcomes, student‑athlete retention, and sustained collaboration with Admissions. The Head Coach is expected to contribute meaningfully to institutional enrollment goals while fostering a high‑character, values‑based team culture that 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 a vibrant slate of student organizations and competitive teams—including a national champion rugby club, 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 individuals are valued, supported, and empowered to contribute meaningfully. We seek colleagues who embrace our mission and actively support student development, enrollment success, and community engagement.

Primary Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Team Development

• Leads the intercollegiate rugby program in compliance with national governing bodies, conference affiliation, and Principia College standards
• Builds and sustains a competitive, values‑based team culture that emphasizes leadership, accountability, and student development
• Designs and implements in‑season and off‑season training programs grounded in best practices for rugby performance, safety, and athlete well‑being
• Provides technical, tactical, and strategic instruction during training sessions and competition
• Recruits, supervises, mentors, and evaluates assistant coaching staff
• Develops practice plans, match strategies, and individualized player development goals
• Oversees equipment distribution, inventory, maintenance, and recovery
• Ensures readiness and coordination of practice and competition facilities
• Provides annual recommendations for program budgets, equipment purchases, and facility needs
• Works with the Director of Athletics to develop competitive and sustainable playing schedules
• Coordinates home match operations, including staffing, officiating, and statistics
• Organizes and communicates team travel itineraries in coordination with Athletics and Student Life
• Collaborates with Athletics, Alumni Relations, and Advancement to maintain positive alumni and community relationships
• Upholds institutional and sport‑specific expectations for sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and compliance; addresses and reports concerns promptly
• Completes required administrative, compliance, sport information, and committee assignments as needed

Strategic Recruitment & Enrollment Leadership

• Recruiting and enrollment are core leadership functions of this role and are evaluated based on both process and outcomes
• Designs, owns, and executes a comprehensive recruiting strategy aligned with Principia’s enrollment goals, academic standards, mission, and market priorities
• Identifies, recruits, enrolls, and retains student‑athletes who demonstrate academic readiness, character alignment, and rugby potential
• Maintains a collaborative, consistent partnership with the Office of Admissions, including shared planning, recruiting timelines, visit coordination, and yield management
• Documents recruiting activity within shared CRM and admissions platforms and contributes to data‑informed decision‑making
• Communicates clearly and professionally with prospective students, families, club and high school coaches via 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 mission‑aligned, student‑centered experience
• Demonstrates shared accountability for recruiting effectiveness through annual recruiting benchmarks and enrollment outcomes
• Contributes to consistency and alignment of recruiting expectations across head coach roles within Athletics

Student ‑ Athlete Support & Academic Integrity

• Monitors academic progress and supports student‑athletes experiencing academic, personal, or social challenges
• Ensures athletic participation enhances—rather than compromises—academic success and degree completion
• Communicates student concerns 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 growth, retention, and program improvement

Professional Advancement & Institutional Engagement

• Participates in coaching clinics, conferences, and continuing education opportunities
• Remains current on governing‑body regulations, recruiting legislation, and rugby‑specific best practices
• Engages with relevant professional organizations through membership, service, or leadership
• Demonstrates progress toward advanced education, licensure, or sport‑specific certification
• Contributes positively to Athletics Department initiatives and broader College life

Core Competencies

• Continuous Learning & Expertise:  Demonstrates mastery of coaching practice and pursues ongoing professional growth.
• Accountability & Results Orientation:  Effectively prioritizes, meets commitments, and delivers high‑quality outcomes.
• Communication:  Communicates clearly and professionally across audiences and situations.
• Collaboration & Collegiality:  Works effectively across departments and supports a respectful team culture.
• Proactivity & Ownership:  Anticipates needs, initiates solutions, and takes responsibility for outcomes.
• Inclusion & Belonging:  Values diverse perspectives and fosters a welcoming, inclusive environment.

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 rugby certification
• Three to five years of progressively responsible coaching experience preferred; comparable experience considered
• Demonstrated knowledge of rugby coaching methodology, recruiting practices, and governing‑body rules
• Evidence of ethical leadership, professionalism, and effective people management
• Proven ability to recruit, develop, and retain student‑athletes aligned with academic and institutional priorities
• Proficiency with CRM systems, recruiting platforms, and standard office technology
• Availability to travel and work evenings and weekends as required

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work and are not a complete list of responsibilities. Duties may 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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