Head Cheerleading Coach - Athletics

The department of Athletics at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Head Cheerleading Coach.

About the Opportunity

This position will report to the Senior Associate Athletics Director, Marketing and work collaboratively with WVU Athletics Marketing, the Mountaineer Marching Band and Pep Band, the WVU Dance Team, and additional partners across the department to enhance game day and fan engagement experiences.

What You'll Do

• Responsible for the comprehensive direction, leadership, and development of a high-performing collegiate cheer program representing WVU Athletics at games, events, and community appearances.
• Schedule, organize, and supervise all cheerleading practices, strength and conditioning sessions, and skill-development activities.
• Develop, teach, and refine game day material, sideline routines, timeouts, and halftime performances.
• Coach proper stunt progressions, tumbling techniques, crowd-leading skills, and safety protocols.
• Oversee preparation and participation in special events, as approved by WVU Athletics.
• Coordinate and manage all travel logistics, clinics, community appearances, and annual tryouts.
• Lead and implement a recruiting and selection process that aligns with WVU Athletics standards.
• Ensure adherence to safety regulations, risk-management best practices, and NCAA/WVU policies.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive culture for student-athletes.
• Maintain effective communication with team members, Athletics administrators, and campus partners.
• Assist with managing the cheer program budget and associated expenses.
• Support the personal and athletic development of student-athletes, ensuring they represent WVU with professionalism and Mountaineer spirit.
• The coach must maintain strong communication with student-athletes, Athletics administration, and campus partners; manage logistics such as travel, clinics, and tryouts; and demonstrate flexibility to work non-traditional hours associated with games, practices, and special events.
• Must maintain strong communication with student-athletes and the Head Coach, demonstrate professionalism, and exhibit flexibility to work non-traditional hours associated with games, practices, community engagements, and special events.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the Head Coach.
• Maintain knowledge of and comply with all rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines of West Virginia University, the Big 12 Conference, CSC, and the NCAA; must adhere to NCAA Bylaw 11.1 Conduct of Athletic Personnel. Failure to adhere to these policies will result in appropriate disciplinary action including possible suspension and termination.
• Represent the University on the highest professional level with dignity, integrity, and strength of character and will exhibit ethical behavior; must respect the rights and dignity of individuals with sensitivity to problems that may arise from racial and ethnical differences.
• Demonstrate a cooperative attitude towards all sports within the intercollegiate athletic program.
• Possess the ability to adapt to any situation, make decisions and work independently; position must have the ability to build and maintain relationships with student-athletes, coaches, staff members and contractors; required to use creative abilities to develop new techniques and approaches in dealing with many issues controlled by this position; responsibilities of the position are ever-changing and require constant research and education.
• Manage sensitive and confidential information related to student-athletes, coaches and staff utilizing discretion and correct decisions. Failure to use proper discretion at required level could result in major and significant embarrassment to the University and/or have a significant impact on image, revenues, and eligibility of student-athletes.
• Manage professional and personal time to handle time sensitive issues, tight deadlines, extended hours beyond the normal workday, weekend work, regular travel in-season, and on-call availability.

Work Hours: 19.5 Hours per Week

• Bachelor's degree
• A minimum of four (4) years of experience involving:
  • Cheerleading coaching experience, preferably at the collegiate or competitive all-star level.
  • Collegiate cheerleading experience (coaching or athlete) strongly preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of cheerleading techniques, including stunting, tumbling, safety rules, and game day performance.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively to meet deadlines and achieve program goals.

• Ability to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and travel for games, practices, and events.

• Current certifications or ability to obtain AACCA/USA Cheer safety certification, CPR, and First Aid.
• Maintain high standard of ethics and integrity related to intercollegiate athletics
• Demonstrated knowledge of Division I (FBS) intercollegiate athletics
• Demonstrated knowledge of NCAA and conference guidelines, policies, rules, and regulations with the ability to interpret, apply, enforce and explain such policies and rules
• Maintain knowledge of state and University policies and procedures
• Exhibit strong creative, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability in public speaking skills
• Demonstrated ability to function professionally under high stress and confrontational circumstances
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan and organize work; Proactive attitude towards work and assignments
• Demonstrated ability to maintain and develop personal contacts with outside groups, i.e. student-athletes, coaches, professional representatives, fans, media, donors, University community
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Ability to stay abreast of information impacting the affected area
• Ability to maintain proper unit attendance and punctuality standards, work extended hours including nights and weekends (often with extensive walking and standing) when necessary
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage personnel
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments
• Ability to communicate effectively and comprehensively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to function as a liaison for Athletics with several administrative departments within higher education and at the conference and national level
• Demonstrated ability to operate compliance software programs
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial aid and eligibility requirements of student-athletes
• Demonstrated ability to prepare educational and monitoring plan for NCAA rules compliance
• Ability to participate in an investigation, including the preparation and submission of reports to the NCAA

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.