New England Innovation Academy (NEIA) Director of Athletics

New England Innovation Academy (NEIA) seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial, and student-centered leader to serve as its Director of Athletics. This is an extraordinary opportunity to build an athletics program from the ground up at a young and ambitious school entering its next phase of growth. As the first middle and high school in the nation founded on human-centered design principles, NEIA is guided by three strategic pillars: innovation in everything we do, sustainable expansion, and belonging for all. The next Director will play a pivotal role in advancing these commitments by shaping how athletics contributes to student growth, community identity, and the evolving culture of the school. Now in its fifth year, NEIA is entering a period of renewed focus and direction as it proceeds with developing best-in-class programming across all facets of the school. As the school continues to prioritize a more holistic and connected student experience, athletics has naturally emerged as an area with significant potential. Independent school families expect a thoughtfully designed athletics program as part of a well-rounded school offering, and NEIA is seizing this opportunity to build one that deepens community bonds, enhances student life, and strengthens the school’s visibility in a competitive marketplace. Reporting to the new Head of School, Dr. Durga Suresh-Menon, and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, the Director of Athletics will provide vision, structure, and operational leadership during a formative period in the school’s evolution. This leader will oversee all aspects of the athletics program for grades 6–12, collaborating across academic, residential, and student-support teams to create a connected and mission-aligned student journey. The role requires a steady, collaborative presence who understands how to support students who are bright, kind, creative, and wonderfully individual—learners who thrive when adults recognize their strengths and encourage them to explore, take healthy risks, and grow with confidence. This leader must balance strategic design with hands‑on implementation while building trust and coherence across a young and fast-evolving community. The Director of Athletics will step into a role defined by both vision and possibility. NEIA is making a $20+ million investment in a new athletics complex that will include outdoor fields opening in Spring 2026 and a state-of-the-art Athletics Center debuting in 2026. As the school anticipates NEPSAC membership and expands interscholastic offerings, the Director will have the rare opportunity to influence program design before facilities open, ensuring that systems, staffing, scheduling, culture, and community engagement are built intentionally from the start. This leader will architect an athletics road map that balances competitive aspiration with inclusive participation; establish standards and expectations that bring predictability and professionalism; and nurture a culture where students of all athletic backgrounds feel supported and encouraged. For a relational, strategic builder who thrives in entrepreneurial environments, NEIA offers the chance to create something lasting, meaningful, and foundational to the school’s future.

#J-18808-Ljbffr