Head Cheer & Dance Coach

Position Summary:

Job Description:

Position: Western Colorado University invites applications for the full-time position of Head Cheer and Dance Coach.  The position reports to the Director of Athletics.

Responsibilities: The Head Cheer and Dance Coach provides leadership and oversight of the Western Colorado University Cheer and Dance Program, including planning, scheduling, and coaching of practices and performances, while managing logistics for home game and event appearances to ensure the cheer team represents Western Athletics at all home football, men's and women's basketball, and playoff games hosted by the university. This role coordinates with sport-specific coaches and the Athletics Facilities and Operations Coordinator to schedule cheer team attendance at 50% or more of volleyball, soccer, and wrestling home events, and includes appearances for the teams and mascots at enrollment functions and Alumni and Donor events. The position also oversees the operations of additional spirit teams, including the dance team, drumline, and mascot, coordinating halftime promotions in collaboration with corporate sponsors, while developing and promoting a positive team culture grounded in excellence, professionalism, and accountability, and establishing strong working relationships with Athletics staff, campus departments, alumni, and the broader community.

This position involves recruiting qualified and committed student-athletes in alignment with institutional and Athletics Department standards, developing annual recruitment plans, identifying prospects, ensuring alignment with retention goals, and evaluating incoming student-athletes for readiness and commitment to team values and university expectations. The position also supports the academic, physical, and emotional well-being of student-athletes by encouraging regular class attendance, monitoring academic progress, minimizing scheduling conflicts, and offering mentorship, life guidance, and connections to university resources as needed.

The Head Cheer & Dance Coach oversees the team budget in accordance with University and Foundation fiscal policies, manages expenses related to uniforms, travel, competition fees, and camp programming, and ensures cost-effective decisions in operations and event planning. Regarding compliance, the position requires maintaining current knowledge of and compliance with NCAA Division II, RMAC, and Western Colorado University regulations, completing mandatory Title IX and sexual assault prevention training, ensuring that team members meet training requirements and maintain conduct expectations, and representing the program at Athletics Department meetings and university committees as assigned.

Finally, the role leads program-specific fundraising efforts and participates in Athletics Department fundraising initiatives, plans and manages cheerleading camps, alumni engagement activities, and community outreach events, and coordinates with corporate sponsors to support promotional activities that increase program visibility and engagement — with fundraising efforts directed toward supporting a committed, competitive team capable of competing at a national competition each year.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree, three (3) years of experience in cheerleading, including competitive playing and/or coaching, valid driver’s license, excellent written and verbal communication skills, proven skills in program administration, team organization, and student-athlete recruitment, with a track record of effective planning and execution, and strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with student-athletes, staff, administrators, alumni, and community members.

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s Degree, five (5) years of coaching experience within a collegiate athletics program, fundraising experience, CPR, First Aid, and AED Certification.

Compensation: $50,000 - $53,000. This position is FLSA exempt. Western offers an excellent benefits package including shared premiums for a comprehensive health insurance plan, dental insurance, retirement plan, life insurance, and other insurance options. After one year of employment, Western provides free tuition for dependents enrolled full time in undergraduate programs for up to four years.

Application Procedure:  Apply online at www.Western.edu/jobs.

Required attachments for online application include a letter of application addressed to Kaylee Summers, Associate Athletic Director for Business Operations, resume, and contact information for three references.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information. Please direct questions to the search committee chair at ksummers@western.edu.

Application deadline is July 27, 2026.

Additional Information on Western and Gunnison/Crested Butte

Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of ~3,700 students. 47% of students are undergraduates, 33% are graduate students, and 80% receive some form of financial aid. Western students represent 17 countries, 50 states, and almost every county in Colorado. With an average class size of 17, Western’s faculty and staff share a strong commitment to personalized, rigorous, and immersive education. Visit http://www.western.edu to learn more about the university.

Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, about 200 miles southwest of Denver amidst over 2 million acres of public land and a vibrant ranching community. The Gunnison valley provides robust cultural programming and exceptional outdoor recreation. A network of dedicated community organizations enrich the lives of many in the tight-knit community. Living in the valley, one appreciates a vibrant culture of festivals, exhibitions, performances, wellness activities, and more. In the winter, many enjoy in skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and along dozens of miles of cross-country trails. In the summer, bikers, hikers, and runners explore 750-plus miles of singletrack trails, while others delight in fishing, boating, and paddleboarding at Blue Mesa Reservoir or on the Gunnison River and its tributaries. Pre-K-12 students are served by the highly-ranked Gunnison Watershed School District.

An Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS

It is the ongoing policy and practice of Western Colorado University to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants.  No person shall be discriminated against in any condition of employment because of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, marital status, or any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local law.

ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS:

Western Colorado University is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Western will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to the Office of Human Resources at [email protected] or (970) 943-3140.