Notre Dame Prep - Junior Varsity Cheerleading Coach

About Sacred Heart University As one of the nation’s largest Catholic universities and among the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn.

, campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. Nearly 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Computing & Engineering; School of Performing Arts; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; and the Dr.

Susan L. Davis, RN, & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts and, at the same time, cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change in their own lives, professions, and communities.

Sacred Heart University has earned national recognition for academic excellence, student success, career outcomes, and campus experience. The Princeton Review recognized SHU in its Best 392 Colleges: 2027 Edition and Best Business Schools: 2027 Edition, while additional national recognitions highlight the University’s commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers and lifelong success.

Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio; Division I athletics; and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance, and theatre . www.sacredheart.edu View SHU’s Faculty Experts Here To apply: Qualified candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, resume, or curriculum vitae, along with the contact information for three letters of reference, who will be contacted only if you are selected for an interview.

Only applications submitted via our Career portal will be considered. Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.

Position Summary

The Junior Varsity (JV) Cheerleading Coach will work collaboratively with the Head Coach of Cheerleading and the Cheer coaching staff to support the instruction, development, and coaching of student-athletes at Notre Dame Prep. This position plays an important role in fostering a positive, competitive, and inclusive team environment while promoting academic achievement, physical fitness, and sportsmanship.

The JV Cheerleading Coach will contribute to the team’s skill development, choreography, conditioning, and performances while helping ensure that the cheerleading program reflects the mission, values, and athletic standards of Notre Dame Prep. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, sound judgment, effective communication, and a commitment to student-athlete safety and personal development.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities Assist in planning, organizing, and conducting practices, training sessions, conditioning activities, and team events. Provide instruction, constructive feedback, encouragement, and motivation to student-athletes during practices, games, and competitions. Assist in developing and implementing team strategies, skill-building exercises, formations, and choreography to improve individual and team performance.

Demonstrate proper cheerleading techniques, jumps, motions, tumbling, and stunting skills, within the coach's qualifications and established safety guidelines. Assist with evaluating new student-athletes and identifying strengths and areas for development. Monitor student-athlete progress and provide recommendations to the Head Coach regarding individual and team performance.

Assist with team communications, including emails, announcements, schedules, and university approved social media platforms, to keep student-athletes and families informed. Help organize and supervise team-building activities, fundraisers, special events, and other program related events. Assist the Head Coach with managing equipment, uniforms, supplies, and other logistical needs.

Attend coaching staff meetings and contribute to season planning, program evaluation, and team development. Collaborate with the Head Coach and other coaching staff to ensure consistency in instruction, expectations, and team operations. Promote an environment that emphasizes respect, inclusion, accountability, discipline, teamwork, and good sportsmanship.

Monitor student-athletes' adherence to school and athletic policies, academic eligibility requirements, and conduct standards. Address student-athlete concerns appropriately and communicate relevant issues to the Head Coach and Athletic Director as needed. Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and serve as a positive role model at all times, both on and off the field.

Monitor student-athlete health and wellness before, during, and after practices, games, events, and competitions. Promote a safe training and performance environment by consistently reinforcing proper technique, conditioning, spotting practices, and established cheerleading safety standards. Recognize potential injuries or signs of distress and respond promptly.

Ensure injured student-athletes are removed from participation and referred to designated medical personnel. Ensure student-athletes are medically approved to return to practice, games, events, or competition following a physical injury. Report injuries, safety concerns, and other relevant incidents promptly to the Head Coach and Athletic Director.

Support the mission, values, and expectations of Notre Dame Prep. Other duties as assigned by the Head Coach Cheerleading, Athletic Director, or administration. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Requirements High school diploma or equivalent required. Coaching certification preferred. At least 1-2 years of coaching experience, cheerleading experience, or a combination of both, preferably at the high school or collegiate level.

Ability to complete and maintain First Aid certification. Knowledge of appropriate injury prevention, recognition, response, documentation, and reporting procedures.. Commitment to following school and athletic policies, emergency action plans, athletic trainer recommendations, and applicable cheerleading safety guidelines.

Strong Knowledge of cheerleading techniques, rules, safety standards, performance expectations, and competition strategies. Ability to actively participate in routine formation and demonstrate techniques, including various full-body motions, jumps, and choreography. Ability to safely perform, demonstrate, provide instruction, and supervise stunting and spotting techniques.

Ability to provide effective instruction and constructive feedback to student-athletes with varying skill levels and abilities Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, encourage, and inspire student-athletes. Effective verbal and written communication when interacting with student-athletes, parents, school administration, and the community.

Ability to work collaboratively with coaching staff, school administration, and officials. Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to coordinate practices, schedules, equipment, and team activities. Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle student-athlete concerns professionally.

Demonstrated commitment to fostering a positive, respectful, inclusive, and supportive team environment. Strong commitment to the academic and personal development of student-athletes. Ability to maintain professional conduct at all times and serve as a positive representative of Notre Dame Prep, both on and off the field.

Unusual Working Conditions Evening and weekend hours are often required for practices, games, competitions, and team events. Travel to away games, tournaments, or competitions will be required. The position involves physical activity, including standing or walking for extended periods, participating in routine formations, and demonstrating techniques and choreography.

Flexibility to assist with additional role responsibilities (e.g., recruiting, event planning) depending on the needs of the team and school. Pre-Employment Requirement All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a fingerprint-supported background check and a DCF/CPS background check.

Compensation

& Benefits: The salary range for this seasonal position is $1,500 to $2,000. Non-benefit eligible employees are unable to participate in the University’s employee health and welfare benefit programs; however, part-time, non-benefit eligible employees are eligible to participate in Sacred Heart University’s 403(b) retirement plan, but they are not eligible to receive the employer matching contributions, subject to the terms and eligibility requirements of the plan.

Temporary, per-diem, and seasonal staff are not eligible to participate in the 403(b) retirement plan. This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time.

This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied. Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.