Spirit Teams Assistant Coach

Job Description Summary

The Assistant Coach of Student Spirit Teams is responsible for assisting the Director in the daily operations, training, and management of the university’s dance, cheer, pom, and mascot teams. This position will work with the Head Coach of Student Spirit Teams to create engaging routines, foster team spirit, support athletic and other university and community events, and maintain a positive, high-energy atmosphere representing Saint Leo University's brand and core values. The Assistant Director of the Spirit Teams reports directly to the Director of Student Spirit Groups.

Job Description

DUTIES AND TASKS:

• Prioritize the recruitment and retention of Spirit Team members.
• Assist in planning and leading cheerleading practices, conditioning sessions, and performances.
• Support in choreographing cheers, stunts, and dance routines for games, campus, and community events.
• Help maintain a safe environment by teaching proper technique and spotting during stunts and tumbling.
• Provide positive motivation and mentorship to team members.
• Assist with administrative duties such as attendance, uniforms, academic performance monitoring, transportation, and event planning.
• Attend specified games, practices, and team meetings as required.
• Uphold and enforce team rules, safety guidelines, and codes of conduct.
• Foster team spirit, sportsmanship, and respectful representation of Saint Leo University.
• Communicate regularly with the Director of Student Spirit Groups, parents, and team members using the approved language and professionalism provided by the Director.
• Take on additional responsibilities as needed for the success of the Spirit program.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Must be an ethical person with strong values of integrity and confidentiality
• Excellent customer service and communication skills
• Must be able to physically coach, instruct, and demonstrate dance and cheer team members on dance fundamentals, collegiate-level skills, game-day presence, sportsmanship, and leadership.
• Team Player
• Strong work ethic
• Strong knowledge of cheerleading (gameday), and mascot performance techniques.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse student groups and staff members.
• Certification in CPR, first aid, concussion, or willingness to obtain certifications
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to support team events and activities.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate and inspire students.
• Clean driving record and capable of driving University Vans

Knowledge:

• Basic cheer knowledge on a collegiate level
• Knowledge of current cheer techniques, safety protocols, and stunt progressions.

Skills:

• Strong administrative communication skills
• Strong customer service skills
• Excellent skills in group facilitation, conflict resolution, setting expectations, motivating a team, and proactively problem solving
• Choreography experience
• Patience and the ability to work with athletes of various skill levels.

Abilities:

• Ability to lift/move furniture weighing over 50lbs, and support heavy objects (i.e., stunts, tumbling mats, etc.) and demonstrate physical activities as required during coaching.
• Ability to remain patient and calm when mediating, providing feedback, and in other facets of the role.
• Ability to stand, walk, and engage in physical activity for extended periods during practices and events.
• Capable of working in outdoor and indoor environments during varying weather conditions.
• Ability to coach and lead a team or student group
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle/van

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 3 years of collegiate and/or professional dance, cheer, pom, or mascot experience).

ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term “qualified individual with a disability” means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of this position.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email and other electronic means, move about the office and University, handle various types of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe, and assess. The employee is occasionally required to lift to 10 pounds unless otherwise specified in the job description.

NOTICE:
The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Saint Leo University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student, and graduate success.

Why Work at Saint Leo?

What it’s Like to Work Here: Ask our employees and the one word they’d use to describe working at Saint Leo University is “Community.” Our team members all share the Saint Leo core values, positive attitudes, and problem-solving abilities, enabling them to provide excellent student centered service. Our mission is educating and preparing students for life and leadership in a challenging world.  Thank you for your interest in joining the Saint Leo PRIDE!

We are committed to providing our employees with the support they need. At Saint Leo, we offer an array of medical, dental, and vision packages as well as several add-on perks to make your benefits package truly customizable to you and your family needs. Available benefits based on employment status (Full Time vs Part Time).

• FREE Tuition - Employee, Spouse, and Dependents*
• Tuition Exchange Opportunity - Dependent of Employees*
• Generous Paid Leave - Sick, Vacation, and Holidays
• Comprehensive Group Health Plan (Medical, Dental, and Vision)
• Group Medical Plan includes Teledoc, Surgery Plus, Wellness Incentive Program and more!
• 100% Employer-Funded Health Reimbursement Account
• 100% Employer-Paid Short Term Disability Insurance
• 100% Employer-Funded Employee Assistance Program (healthcare and dependent options)
• Employer-provided life insurance
• Discounted On-Campus Dining Meal Plans
• Nationwide Pet Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Wellness Center

*Eligibility based on meeting required service period

2025 ICUBA Benefits Guide_St Leo