Director of Basketball  / Coach / Admissions Associate

Position Description:

Applewild is opening a new 50,000 square foot athletic and wellness center in November 2026. When this fully-funded new facility is open, it will feature two basketball courts, a 6-lane swimming pool, 4 squash courts, a strength and conditioning room, virtual golf, visiting team locker rooms, full commercial laundry, as well as a gorgeous new student center. This state-of-the-art facility allows our school to offer unparalleled athletic offerings in keeping with our mission to nurture curious learners and empower them to lead with confidence, courage, and humanity. To leverage this opportunity, the school is prioritizing the growth of key athletic programs.  We want to have strong programs that will attract serious and talented athletes to our school. We seek ambitious and entrepreneurial coaches to direct the development of these key programs. The position may be full or part-time, and the coach may utilize Applewild’s facilities for club/AAU team development. 

• Coach a sport. Either boys or girls teams in Basketball, Soccer, Lacrosse, or Volleyball. Develop and execute high-quality workouts and skill development practices.
• Prioritize player safety, well-being, and sportsmanship at all times. 
• Serve as a positive role model and mentor for students, promoting collaboration, self-control, respect, and teamwork.
• Work with AAU and other “feeder” programs to ensure the Applewild day and junior boarding program is known amongst coaches and parents seeking high quality athletic and academic preparation for secondary school.
• Identify opportunities for the School to be “seen” by coaches, parents, and prospective athletes. This may include finding the appropriate social media, training facilities, sponsorships, event participation, as well as networking with influential people/programs. 
• Recruit and retain high-character, high-ability student-athletes who embody Applewild’s values both academically and athletically. The coach will have generous merit and financial aid scholarships at their disposal which are designed to support the coach’s ability to secure ‘right fit’ athletes. The coach is expected to work closely with Admissions to deploy these resources strategically.
• Research and evaluate prospective student-athletes’ academic and athletic credentials.  
• Build and maintain strong relationships with recruits, families, and external partners through consistent communication and campus/program visits.  
• Develop and execute camps, clinics, and other outreach or program development activities as necessary. This may include hosting or developing an AAU program on-site. 
• Assist with day-to-day athletic program operations, including equipment management,  scheduling, and travel coordination.  

• Depending on full or part-time status, complete a secondary duty within the school commensurate with experience. This may include teaching or filling another duty needed by the school. 
• Strong communication, organization, and leadership skills. 

Qualifications:

• Available for some evening and weekend responsibilities. 
• Valid Driver’s license and clean driving record. Must be willing and able to drive students in 15-seat passenger vans. 
• Must pass background check (CORI, SORI/ Fingerprintining)
• National or regional coaching certification preferred  
• CPR and First Aid Certified (Applewild offers certification course)  
• Able to comfortably navigate our hilly campus, and to pick up 50-pounds.
• A college degree is required.
• Preference given to those who have 3+ years of working with students aged 10-15.
• Preference is given to individuals who played their sport in college

Applewild is a day and junior boarding school on 42 acres in North Central Massachusetts. We serve 370 students from infancy through the 9th grade. Our residential program serves students in grades 3-9 and we have 70 beds available and students from around the world and across the country are welcomed each year. 

Compensation:

Compensation is based on experience, skills, and the job responsibilities ultimately negotiated. The hourly range is $25-55 per hour (or full-time salary of $40-60k plus incentives). Additional benefits available include health insurance, retirement plan, PTO, reduced infant, toddler, preschool, prekindergarten tuition, tuition remission for mission-aligned children for grades K-9th, and on-campus housing is possible. 

To express interest, send a cover letter and resume to Amy Jolly, Head of School (employment@applewild.org). 

About Applewild School

Applewild has been a cherished community institution since 1957 serving day (toddler-9th gr) and junior boarding (4th-9th) students. Our main campus is in Fitchburg, Massachusetts which is approximately one hour from Boston. In 2014 we opened a satellite location in Devens which serves toddlers through pre-K). We also have "Foundations at Applewild", which is located on the Fitchburg campus and serves students in grades two through grade nine with diagnosed language-based learning disabilities. We are thankful to draw a broad range of students from over 32 towns and several countries. Our core values and competencies lay the foundation for a culture that encourages respect, honesty, compassion, and fairness. Our faculty have invested in their professional growth to create an educational environment that is deeply metacognitive --- our goal is to teach children to be the protagonists in their own educations. At Applewild, we know that once children feel emotionally safe and valued for who they are, then children will avail themselves to deeper and more authentic learning experiences. When considering adult additions to our community, we are very interested in growing our d...iversity and in diverse perspectives and experiences. We seek smart, creative, and thoughtful professionals who are interested in trying new things knowing that some failures are intrinsic to cultivating a culture of progress. We are looking for professionals who care deeply about developing the next generation for a future we know will be marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. Intellectual curiosity, cognitive agility, passion, and emotional resiliency are paramount for success. We are committed to offering a progressive but proven curriculum, so professionals seeking to join our community must be keen on teaching using student-centered and project-based learning. We are a small school so everyone wears multiple “hats” to meet the needs of our community. The School is accredited through the Association of Independent Schools of New England and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and The Association of Boarding Schools. Applewild School is an equal opportunity employer and as such does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We welcome individuals that add to the diversity and vibrancy of our community.

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Connections working at Applewild School