Job Description

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Head Coach, the purpose of this position is to use athletics as a tool to educate college students. By using inter-collegiate competition and all activities related to such competition, this position serves as a teacher and mentor to help build student character, prepare students for a constructive and effective life, and teach valuable life lessons including work ethic; discipline; resilience; persistence; teamwork and selflessness; goal-setting and goal achievement; overcoming adversity; and leadership. This position typically influences student-athletes for their entire four years at Harvard and plays a key role in shaping their personal development.

This position assists in planning, directing and coaching the women’s inter-collegiate softball program. Typically works with all student-athletes in the program.

This position typically requires experience coaching at the collegiate level or comparable experience. Comparable experience may include coaching/teaching at the professional level. Particularly for sports that are more prominent on an international level than in the United States, comparable experience may include playing in a professional or other high-performance environment, such as for a national team or at the Olympic level.

This is a one-year term position renewable at the discretion of the Head Coach and the Athletics Director. The role is full-time, with a partial-year schedule of 11 months.

Job Specific Responsibilities:

1. Athlete Team Management

• Focuses on developing student-athlete skills, helping to plan and execute practices, supporting in-game management, and coordinating a portion of team programming of particular importance. Helps team perform at competitive levels.
• Typically has some impact on developing the skills for a portion of student-athletes.
• Requires the ability to effectively communicate with students by generating enthusiasm through credible coaching.
• Assists in analyzing video for scouting opponents and team development.
• Assists in recruiting and retaining talent consistent with values of excellence and inclusion; assists in developing team enthusiasm for recruitment and retention.
• Supports culture of education through athletics. Assists in academic integration with team, as appropriate.

2. Operational Complexity

• Typically assists in the execution of strategy, logistics and operational direction of the team, with greater supervision. Where expenditures are permitted, operates within budget.
• Participates in professional activities, as appropriate. With instruction, follows trends and embraces innovation opportunities.
• Problems faced may be moderately complex.
• Requires the ability to communicate effectively with the coaching staff and athletics administrators.

In addition, the Assistant Coach will:

• Have overall knowledge of the game with ability to breakdown skills and think strategically.
• Be able to hit fungo to infield and outfield, throw center toss, and catch pitching warm-ups.
• Assist Head Coach in developing leaders and motivating students.

Working Conditions:

• Evening and weekend work required.
• Job requires work in extreme environmental conditions, including extreme heat and cold, rain, and high levels of noise.

Work Format: on-site

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift equipment associated with the sport (up to 25 lbs)

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Requires at least 1 year of softball coaching, collegiate softball playing and/or Olympic softball playing experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Requires substantial sport-specific knowledge and knowledge of relevant issues. Outstanding sport-specific technical, tactical, and strategic knowledge.
• Understands the philosophy, principles, and policies of college athletics (including the University Conflict of Interest and Commitment policy)
• Offensive or defensive expertise is preferred.
• Ability to break down, analyze, and synthesize film to use in practices with student athletes.
• Ability to identify qualified prospective-student athletes and willingness to travel to recruit is expected.
• Understanding of the role that athletics plays within the University and the ability to teach and support high achieving students is helpful.
• Basic proficiency in Excel, Google documents and Microsoft Word, internet, and email
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to relate with constituencies outside of the Dept of Athletics (Deans, Admissions, alumnae, parents) as well as Department administration and other coaches.
• Ability to work in accordance with the rules set forth by Harvard, the Ivy League, and NCAA.

Certificates and Licenses:

• Valid driver's license needed. A DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) check is required because you will be driving recruits as well as student-athletes during out-of-town travel.
• CPR and First Aid required.

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: 06/30/2026
• Standard Hours/Schedule: Approx. 32.25 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): N/A
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, and DMV
• Other Information: NOTE - this role is not eligible for Paid Time Off (PTO)

Harvard is a highly selective liberal arts college whose mission is to educate citizens and citizen-leaders for our society. The College is a residential institution of nearly 7,000 undergraduates and is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard is deeply committed to the intellectual, social and personal transformation of its undergraduates during their four years at Harvard.

The Department of Athletics offers 42 varsity programs for men and women, more than any other Division I school in the United States. We also offer extensive recreational and intramural programs.

Harvard employees have access to a competitive benefits package that includes multiple options for the health and well-being of our employees as well as ongoing professional development.

All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources. We regret that, due to the number of responses we typically receive, we may be unable to respond to phone calls or contact personally those applicants not selected for an interview.

We actively seek and welcome applications from diverse candidates and from those with a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society.

Work Format Details

This position is based on-site at a Harvard campus location. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 000. Corresponding salary information can be found in the job description above.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.