Director of Equestrian Program/Head Equestrian Coach
The Director of Equestrian Program/Head Equestrian Coach will possess a strong background in university-level equestrian operations, show facility management, herd management, and collegiate equestrian coaching. The position leads the overall operations of Alfred University's Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center at Maris Cuneo Equine Park including strategic planning, budget management, scheduling, daily logistics, horse care, and event logistics. The position may also be called upon by the academic units to collaborate on instruction/design of academic programs related to equestrian majors/minors. This may include overseeing instruction of riding classes and teaching equestrian related courses as requested by academic units.
The Director will lead a team of full- and part-time employees including head and assistant equestrian coaches/instructors/trainers, office staff, barn maintenance staff and work-study students. Additionally, the Director will hire independent contractors to assist with the care of the herd (e.g., farrier, veterinarian). In this role, the Director of Equestrian Program will be responsible for overseeing the upkeep and improvements of the equestrian center, supporting programming, ensuring equipment remains in good repair, managing events from start to finish, procuring horses, and providing support for the onsite boarding operations.
It is anticipated that the Head Equestrian Coach will lead the Western Team and serve as an assistant coach to either the Dressage or Hunt Seat Teams. Adjustments to those coaching positions will be based on the successful candidate.
Salary: $63,000-$75,000 depending on experience.
Essential Functions:
- Teaching and Coaching:
- Maintain an exemplary standard of conduct, which reflects the highest level of professionalism and good judgment.
- Provide a teaching and learning environment that is nurturing, intellectual, and supportive of individual differences.
- Develop strategies and techniques to best prepare the riders and teams for competitive shows and career aspirations.
- Oversee instruction of riding classes.
- Teach classes in riding and/or equestrian related courses.
- Coach a varsity riding team which will include selecting team members, teaching competitive riding skills, making entries for horse shows, arranging for team transportation and lodging, hiring judges, and attending all regular and post-season shows.
- Prepare, implement, and evaluate practice and competition plans that are effective for the sport and congruent with team/individual ability.
- Develop and employ a team philosophy that is supportive of the educational mission of the University and the athletic department.
- Direct student-athletes, coaches, and support staff to conduct themselves in such ways that bring credit to the team and Alfred University.
- Advising:
- Develop and maintain effective communication with student-athletes.
- Set high standards of ethical and moral conduct.
- Reinforce academic success as a priority.
- Monitor academic progress through communication with the Associate Director of Athletics.
- Encourage student-athletes to foster a positive relationship with their advisor, faculty, dean, and other areas of academic support.
- Monitor eligibility of equestrian student-athletes.
- Recruiting:
- Articulate and implement a recruiting plan consistent with Alfred University's mission.
- Cultivate a recruiting network including but not limited to attending the Equine Affaire annual recruiting events.
- Maintain the department's recruiting contact management system.
- Recruit students who coincide with the academic profile of Alfred University students and who are interested in the equestrian academic or intercollegiate programs.
- Maintain open communication with other Alfred University coaches regarding shared prospects.
- Be knowledgeable about admissions and financial aid processes.
- Meet recruiting goals as determined in collaboration with the Associate Vice President for Student Experience, Athletics, & Recreation.
- Facility and Herd Management:
- Oversee the upkeep and improvements of the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center, outbuildings, and turnout fields.
- Ensure equipment remains in good repair.
- Organize and manage all lHSA shows at the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center including post season shows.
- Lead the facility's maintenance and barn management teams to ensure a cohesive, clean, and efficient atmosphere.
- Responsible for the organization and coordination of the equestrian center calendar including practices, classes, events, and other programs.
- Assist with facilitation and operations of events, clinics, shows, and equestrian activities.
- Oversee all aspects of the care, daily management, and training of the horse herd.
- Oversee the documentation of equine care and health records.
- In collaboration with other AU equestrian coaches, select, train, care for, and manage the appropriate horses for the equestrian programs.
- Primary point of contact for vet, farrier, and other necessary services.
- Procure horses as budget, space, and need allows.
- Manage all aspects of the onsite boarding operations including taking applications, coordination of shipping schedules, maintaining records, and billing.
- Professional Development:
- Develop contacts with regional and nationally known professionals to aid in the improvement of the equestrian program.
- Maintain active membership in professional equestrian organizations related to collegiate competition.
- Pursue formal and informal educational opportunities.
- Participate in department professional development seminars.
- Civic Engagement:
- Promote equestrian in area communities.
- Establish and maintain a positive relationship with interested segments of the community (e.g. youth groups, civic organizations, media).
- Host summer equestrian camps and clinics.
- Program Management:
- Comply with institutional and departmental policies.
- Be knowledgeable of and comply with all conference rules and regulations (i.e., IHSA, IDA).
- Hire, train, supervise, mentor, schedule, and evaluate full- and part-time staff and work study students to facilitate operations, programming, and facility maintenance.
- Effectively delegate daily tasks to appropriate team members.
- Collaborate with department staff and Student Experience staff.
- Develop competitive competition schedules.
- Effectively manage five operational and restricted budgets including oversight of purchases, expenditures, contracts, billing, assets, and revenue.
- Oversee the management of the equestrian program's social media accounts including contributing news and updates.
- Collaborate with Advancement staff to plan and implement fundraising activities and the stewardship of gifts.
- Develop positive relationships with alumni and parents of current, former, and prospective students.
- Assist in the maintenance and adherence of risk management procedures and policies, ensuring compliance with Alfred University policies.
- Remain current on industry standards and performance benchmarks and ensure that all equine related programming remains effective and current.
Other Duties & Responsibilities:
- Maintain a safe working environment within and around their facilities and associated equipment and supplies including, but not limited to, obtaining Safety Data Sheet (SDS) information pertaining to any hazards associated with their work environment.
- Safety: Participate in safety training and comply with safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
- Participate in all required assigned trainings.
- Highly effective written and oral communication skills.
- A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and a high degree of cultural competence and respect for a wide range of identities and experience.
- Contribute to the overall success of the University by performing other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Master's degree required.
- Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in an equine related field required.
- Three years of teaching experience in an equine related field preferred.
- A minimum of four years' experience with intercollegiate riding (preferably within IHSA), teaching lessons, and competing in horse shows required.
- A minimum of five years leading a team within an equine setting required.
- A minimum of eight years of horse experience required (i.e., ownership, stable employment, trainer, equine teacher /faculty /instructor).
- Ability to ride, train, and prepare horses for all levels of riders required.
- Proven working knowledge of equine health, wellness, and training.
- Ability to observe early signs of illness in horses as well as recognize potential hazards and prevent them.
- Proven working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., Outlook, Word, Excel)
- Familiarity with industry standards and practices.
- The position is physically demanding, requires the ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds and work outside in all weather conditions.
- Work will be performed at variable temperatures and may include exposure to sun and dust.
- Upon hire date, must have proof of a valid New York driver's license as driving university vehicles is required for travel in the performance of the essential functions of this position.
- Must be able to load and unload a horse trailer as well as tow a horse trailer.
- Must be willing to work evenings and weekends.
About the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center at Maris Cuneo Equine Park
The Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center at Maris Cuneo Equine Park is a spacious facility located within a five-minute drive from campus. The Equestrian Center includes offices, classrooms, viewing areas, a 200x80 foot indoor arena and two outdoor arenas (one 200x120 feet, one 100x100 feet). The 50 stalls accommodate both University-owned horses and student boarded horses. Alfred University owns nearly 400 acres on Lake Road with many acres used as turnout fields and horseback trails.
About Alfred University
Lighting the way for students since 1836. "We've always been a place for makers, especially those who make the future. Our commitment to independent thinking, creativity, academic rigor and community have made us a unique kind of leader since 1836."
Alfred University (AU) was founded on principles of social justice in 1836 by liberal, independent thinkers who placed high value on education for all citizens. The University has retained and built upon the strong values of its founders, developing as an institution of national and international renown that is responsive to the needs of contemporary society while remaining consistent with the spirit of its origins. Alfred University is the second oldest coeducational college in the United States as well as one of the earliest nineteenth century colleges to have enrolled African American and Native American students. It has a long-standing history of educating socially conscious students who make a difference in their professions and their communities.
Over the course of the twentieth century, Alfred University evolved into a complex institution offering a full range of programs in the liberal arts and sciences, art and design, engineering, business, education, counseling, and school psychology to its nearly 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students that live, learn, and play on a 232-acre campus located in an idyllic, creative valley in Western New York. Today, Alfred University focuses on a professional education with an emphasis on APEX (applied and experiential learning program). To learn more, visit alfred.edu.
Alfred University actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee, student or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Protected veterans, minorities and women are encouraged to apply.