"Director of Spirit Squads and Community Engagement"

Job Description

Responsible for the overall leadership, direction, and administration of the university's spirit teams. This role includes planning and executing practices, game-day performances, recruitment, student-athlete development, travel coordination, and ensuring compliance with all institutional, conference, and NCAA regulations. Fosters a positive, collaborative, and high-performing team environment that promotes school spirit, student engagement, and academic success. The development and alignment of the Spirit and Traditions program vision, while enforcing all university and athletics policies related to academics, eligibility, strength and conditioning, and student-athlete wellbeing.

Essential Functions:

• Provides leadership, strategic planning, and vision for all campus spirit groups.
• Manages game day and competition activities in collaboration with the Director of Fan Engagement & Event Presentation, provides occasional coaching, ensures the preservation of school traditions, and enhances the fan experience across all venues.
• Promotes and organizes camps and clinics to coordinate the recruitment, evaluation, and selection process for spirit squad members and identifies potential areas of development.
• Manage scheduling and execution of all game day activities, public appearances, and community events, ensuring alignment with university branding, outreach efforts, and fan engagement goals.
• Coordinates equipment, uniform, and gear orders through approved vendors.
• Assists with budget oversight and contributes to planning and recommendations for future financial needs.
• Plans and manages all spirit-related travel, including football away games, bowl games, competitions, and other university events.
• Collaborates with OU Athletics Trainers to support the health and wellness of all spirit squad members.
• Develops and enforces team expectations, manuals, and codes of conduct, providing guidance and disciplinary action when necessary.
• Oversees and assists with the planning and execution of the OU Jr. Spirit Program and summer spirit camps.
• Ensures compliance with NCAA, conference, and institutional policies and procedures.
• Fosters a team culture rooted in leadership, accountability, integrity, and personal development by supporting individual spirit squad members in their growth and maintaining a balanced environment that encourages academic and personal success.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree AND: 1 year of experience coaching, managing, coordinating spirit programs, or closely related.

Equivalency/Substitution: Experience or a combination of education and related experience can be considered in lieu of degree. A one-to-one ratio is used to determine the number of years of experience required in place of a degree.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong leadership and team-building skills with the ability to motivate and develop student-athletes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work with faculty, students, staff, vendors, and the public.
• Knowledge of NCAA, conference, and institutional rules and regulations related to spirit programs.
• Ability to plan and execute game day and event logistics efficiently.
• Skilled in conflict resolution and maintaining discipline positively and constructively.
• Ability to teach with an emphasis on safety and performance.
• Organizational skills to manage schedules, travel arrangements, and equipment inventory.
• Commitment to fostering academic success and personal development among students.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Working Conditions:

• Frequent walking, standing, lifting, and physical activity during practices, events, and performances.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by event and game schedules.
• Regular travel to home and away athletic events, post-season games, tournaments, and university appearances.
• Exposure to indoor and outdoor environments in various weather conditions.
• Occasional lifting of equipment, uniforms, and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience or past involvement in coaching or managing spirit programs
• Experience managing a mascot program or other student organizations
• A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing program diversity
• Experience in planning and organizing trips for large groups or organizations
• Experience communicating with and overseeing large groups of students, including experience in managing and executing a fair and smooth tryout process
• 3-5 years' work experience related to spirit programs or other large on-campus groups