Academy Head Coach & Head of Grassroots Swimming

About The St. James Performance Academy

The St. James Performance Academy (TSJ PA) is a premier holistic performance and education institution dedicated to developing the next generation of elite student-athletes. Combining rigorous college-preparatory academics, world-class athletic training, and a structured emphasis on executive functioning and life skills, TSJ PA equips students to thrive academically, athletically, and personally – preparing them for success in college, career, and beyond.

About The St. James

The St. James is the premier sports, wellness and active entertainment destination in the country, with 450,000 sq. ft. of developmental and competitive programs, teams and opportunities in more than 20 sports, and a wide range of premium fitness, wellness and entertainment experiences.  

Why This Role Matters

This dual-role position is at the heart of The St. James’ swim ecosystem—from first-time swimmers to college-bound athletes. As Academy Head Coach, you'll lead the development and execution of our high-performance swim program. As Head of Grassroots Swimming, you’ll oversee our instructional and club-level swim offerings. Together, these programs represent the full athlete pipeline under one roof—and your leadership ensures both systems thrive.

What Sets Us Apart

• Comprehensive Infrastructure: A 700,000-gallon competition pool and 6,000 sq. ft. water park supporting daily instruction, training, and competition
• Dual-Sector Oversight: Lead both elite performance and developmental swimming in one integrated system
• Built-In Resources: Access to performance training, recovery, nutrition, and academic support through internal partnerships
• Community-Centered Reach: Grow programs that serve Northern Virginia swimmers across all levels and backgrounds
• Strategic Leadership: Direct coaching staff, curriculum design, competition calendars, and talent pipelines

Key Responsibilities

Academy Swimming – Elite-Level Oversight

• Design and manage a high-performance training curriculum for year-round Academy athletes
• Develop personalized athlete development plans including technical, strength, mental, and tactical components
• Build a competitive meet calendar aligned with national qualifying standards (Futures, Juniors, Trials, etc.)
• Recruit, hire, and lead a staff of performance coaches; ensure consistency in methodology and standards
• Facilitate college recruiting and advancement through strong collegiate and professional swim network connections
• Partner with Academy academic leadership to support student-athlete success in both academics and sport

Grassroots & Club Program Development

• Oversee the design and delivery of swim lessons, developmental teams, age-group training, and seasonal clinics
• Build a scalable curriculum aligned with USA Swimming and LTAD (Long-Term Athlete Development) frameworks
• Establish family communication protocols and swimmer progress tracking tools
• Develop, hire, and mentor coaching and instructional staff across all age groups and skill levels

Operational Leadership

• Ensure facility usage supports both competitive training and community access
• Coordinate with internal departments (Aquatics, Performance, Events, Operations) for facility readiness and support
• Track athlete performance and retention metrics to inform program improvement and growth
• Represent The St. James professionally with families, schools, and the regional swimming community

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Sport Management, Education, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• Minimum 7 years of coaching/program leadership experience, with at least 3 in a senior-level or head coach role
• Proven track record of athlete development, team growth, and college-level placements
• In-depth understanding of elite stroke technique, training methodology, and competitive pathways
• Experience managing staff and scaling multi-tiered swim programming
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and travel as needed
• Passion for swimming and a belief in long-term athlete development

The Opportunity

This is a defining role in a regionally respected, multi-layered aquatics department. If you’re driven to elevate athletes, grow sustainable programs, and lead from both the deck and the boardroom—this is your platform.

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

For more information, please visit our website: http://www.thestjames.com

The St. James is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, expression or orientation, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position; however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

No unsolicited agency referrals please.