PAC is seeking a collaborative, energetic, and experienced Head Coach to lead a 150-200 swimmer, year-round competitive program rooted in excellent swimming, team engagement, sportsmanship, mentorship, and an inclusive community.

About Portland Aquatic Club

Portland Aquatic Club (PAC) is a nonprofit, year-round competitive swim team training at sites throughout the Portland metro area. Guided by the mission "Building exceptional people through excellent swimming," PAC provides training groups for swimmers of all ages, from novice to national levels, with varying levels of commitment.

PAC is a community-based club supported by active swimmer and family involvement. The team culture emphasizes commitment, attendance, accountability, volunteerism, mentorship, sportsmanship, and the development of swimmers not just as athletes, but as people and community members.

PAC is committed to accessibility and inclusivity, with the goal of helping every swimmer experience the benefits of competitive swimming while removing barriers to participation wherever possible.

Position Summary

The Head Coach serves as the athletic and program leader for Portland Aquatic Club. This full-time role combines on-deck coaching, staff leadership, program administration, strategic planning, family communication, meet planning, and community engagement.

The successful candidate will develop and articulate a clear vision for PAC's competitive program while representing the club's mission and core values. The Head Coach will provide a high-quality experience for the full club, from developing swimmers through national-level athletes, and will serve as a role model for athletes and the public face of PAC.

The Head Coach will work collaboratively with the Board of Directors, coaching staff, administrative assistant, athletes, families, volunteers, partner facilities, and the broader swimming community to support swimmer development and long-term club success.

Core Responsibilities

Athlete Development & Program Leadership

• Develop, communicate, and implement a comprehensive coaching philosophy and long-term athlete development model across all training groups.
• Establish clear progression pathways from novice swimmers through senior and national-level athletes.
• Create a challenging, supportive, age-appropriate, and fun training environment for swimmers of every age and ability.
• Ensure consistent technical instruction, common language, lane etiquette, behavioral expectations, and group goals across PAC practice sites.
• Maintain a visible presence across all training groups and build relationships with athletes throughout the club.
• Recruit and retain swimmers with attention to PAC's commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
• Offer guidance and mentoring to athletes navigating the college recruiting process, where appropriate.

Direct Coaching

• Directly coach at least one training group.
• Design and oversee seasonal training plans and daily workouts using current, effective training methods.
• Provide technique instruction and individualized feedback at practices and meets.
• Meet with swimmers to discuss goals, progress, and specific concerns.

Competition Planning & Meet Management

• Develop the annual meet schedule for swimmers of all ages and ability levels.
• Oversee individual and team entries and ensure appropriate coaching coverage at all meets.
• Coordinate team and coach travel for championship and travel competitions.
• Attend key championship and highest-level competitions.
• Supervise athletes at meets in accordance with the team code of conduct.
• Provide swimmers with encouragement, specific praise, and constructive feedback before and after races.
• Build healthy relationships with clubs, coaches, officials, and leaders within Oregon Swimming, USA Swimming, and the broader competitive swimming community.

Staff Leadership & Supervision

• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, mentor, and evaluate assistant coaches.
• Manage coaching assignments, responsibilities, and professional development.
• Conduct annual performance reviews and goal-setting conversations with coaching staff.
• Hold regular formal and informal staff meetings to align practice plans, expectations, swimmer progression, and team culture.
• Directly supervise the Administrative Assistant, including setting priorities, clarifying responsibilities, supporting day-to-day execution, and conducting performance evaluation as appropriate.
• Partner with the Administrative Assistant on member communications, registration processes, meet administration, data management, onboarding, and operational follow-through.

Club Operations & Administration

• Manage day-to-day program operations in partnership with the Board and administrative support.
• Maintain regular office hours and clear guidance for how and when families, athletes, and staff may contact the Head Coach.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce team policies and procedures, including attendance expectations and swimmer discipline policies.
• Oversee club communications, including the team website, newsletters, social media coordination, meet information, publicity, team records, and athlete recognition.
• Support swimmer recruitment, retention, onboarding, parent education, team events, fundraising, and volunteer engagement.
• Plan and lead annual membership meetings as requested by the Board.

Board Partnership, Strategy & Financial Stewardship

• Participate in strategic planning in conjunction with the parent-led Board of Directors.
• Attend monthly Board meetings and lead all program-related or “wet side” discussions.
• Submit regular written or verbal reports to the Board, including updates on coaching, swimmers, meets, training-group progression, staffing, and key issues.
• Assist with preparation of the annual operating budget in partnership with the Board Treasurer.
• Manage expenditures in accordance with the approved budget and recommend investments in training equipment, staffing, technology, and swimmer development.
• Support fundraising, sponsorship, scholarship, and community partnership efforts.

Compliance, Safety & Professional Standards

• Ensure a safe, healthy, and positive environment for all swimmers, families, volunteers, staff, and guests.
• Maintain current USA Swimming coach membership and all required certifications.
• Follow and enforce USA Swimming Safe Sport, MAAPP, Athlete Protection Training, background check, and related compliance requirements.
• Model professional, ethical, athlete-centered coaching practices at all times.
• Complete required continuing education and support ongoing learning for the coaching staff.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum 5 years of competitive swimming coaching experience, preferably within a USA Swimming club environment.
• Demonstrated success developing swimmers across multiple ages and ability levels, from developmental swimmers through senior-level competition.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, and developing coaching staff.
• Strong technical understanding of competitive swimming and long-term athlete development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with athletes, parents, coaches, volunteers, and Board members.
• Strong organizational, administrative, and leadership skills; ability to balance on-deck coaching with program management.
• Experience collaborating with a volunteer Board of Directors or parent-led nonprofit organization.
• Knowledge of swim team management tools such as Hy-Tek, TeamUnify/SportsEngine, Commit Swimming, or similar platforms.
• USA Swimming Senior and Age Group ASCA Level 3 certification or higher preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Current USA Swimming coach in good standing or ability to obtain before employment.
• Current Safe Sport, MAAPP, Athlete Protection Training, CPR/AED, First Aid, Safety Training for Swim Coaches, and other required certifications.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.

Characteristics of the Ideal Candidate

• Leads with integrity, professionalism, humility, and accountability.
• Builds strong relationships with swimmers, families, coaches, volunteers, facility partners, and the broader swimming community.
• Balances high expectations with empathy, positive coaching, and respect for the whole athlete.
• Values technical excellence, long-term development, team culture, and competitive success.
• Communicates proactively, transparently, and consistently.
• Enjoys mentoring coaches as much as developing swimmers.
• Fosters resilience, sportsmanship, leadership, and healthy competitive spirit.
• Is excited to build upon PAC's strengths while helping shape the club's future.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following materials:

• Cover letter
• Resume/CV
• Statement of coaching philosophy
• Three current professional references with contact information

Applications may be submitted to: hiring@swimpac.org

Portland Aquatic Club is an equal opportunity organization committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all athletes, families, coaches, volunteers, and staff.