Working Title: Head Cheerleading Coach

State Role Title: Administrative and Professional Faculty

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

 

College/Division: Intercollegiate Athletics

Department: 300029 - Cheerleaders

 

Pay Band: N/A

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:  

 

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

 

Beginning Review Date: 05/31/2026

 

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

 

General Information:

James Madison University, a member of the NCAA Division I Sun Belt Conference, seeks a Head Cheerleading Coach to provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the University’s Cheerleading and Mascot programs. This position provides program-wide leadership, ensuring a safe, engaging, and competitive spirit program, overseeing all aspects of program culture, competitive performance, risk management, recruiting, administration, and student-athlete support.
The Head Cheerleading Coach will foster a safe, welcoming, and highly visible program that enhances the student-athlete experience, elevates game-day atmosphere, and positively represents the university at the conference and national levels.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Leadership & Culture

• Provide vision, leadership, oversight, and accountability for the cheerleading and mascot programs aligned with departmental and institutional values.
• Establish and enforce program standards related to conduct, sportsmanship, academic integrity, and team culture.
• Serve as the primary representative for the spirit program in coordination with athletics administration, campus, and conference.
• Create an inclusive and positive environment that supports the well-being and success of all participants.

Coaching, Performance & Competition

• Direct all cheerleading activities for football, men’s and women’s basketball, and designated Olympic sports.
• Design and implement safe, progressive training plans for all-girl and co-ed cheerleading and mascot participants.
• Oversee game-day performance planning to support fan engagement, traditions, and home-field advantage.
• Teach and evaluate skill readiness and approve stunting and tumbling progressions in accordance with USA Cheer and Varsity safety guidelines.

Safety, Risk Management & Compliance

• Serve as the program’s primary safety and risk management lead.
• Ensure compliance with USA Cheer National Safety Standards and maintain required certifications.
• Enforce Emergency Action Plans for practices, games, appearances, and competitions.
• Collaborate with Integrated Health and Sports Performance staff to support a holistic student-athlete experience.
• Operate the program in compliance with institutional, conference, and applicable NCAA and Title IX policies.

Recruiting & Roster Management

• Develop and execute a year-round recruiting strategy at the local, regional, and national levels.
• Build recruiting relationships with regional high schools, all-star programs, and club gyms commonly feeding Sun Belt institutions.
• Coordinate all tryout and selection processes, including materials, judging, and evaluations.
• Support prospective student-athletes through the admissions and onboarding process in collaboration with athletics administration.
• Manage roster size and composition consistent with institutional needs and resources.

Administration & Operations

• Manage the program within the assigned budget, including travel, equipment, and apparel.
• Coordinate scheduling, travel logistics, and team calendars using Teamworks and other systems.
• Maintain oversight of equipment inventory and apparel in coordination with Athletics Equipment Services.
• Supervise, evaluate, and mentor assistant coach and support staff.
• Coordinate camps, clinics, and fundraising activities in support of the program.

Student-Athlete Development

• Support academic success by monitoring academic progress and attendance expectations with the Office of Student-Athlete Services.
• Conduct regular evaluations and goal-setting discussions focused on performance, leadership, and personal development.
• Promote leadership development, wellness, personal growth, and prepare student-athletes as representatives of the university.

External Engagement & Visibility

• Collaborate with Athletics Marketing, Fan Engagement, and Creative Services to enhance game-day atmosphere and brand consistency.
• Coordinate mascot and spirit squad appearances for athletics, university, community, and donor engagement events.
• Support alumni engagement activities tied to the spirit program.
• Maintain appropriate social media presence consistent with athletics department guidelines.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum 3-5 years of collegiate cheerleading coaching experience or equivalent high-level coaching experience.
• Knowledge of all-girl and co-ed cheerleading, stunting, and tumbling techniques.
• Current USA Cheer Safety Certification (or ability to obtain upon hire).
• CPR/AED and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain upon hire).
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, scheduling, and team administration.
• Demonstrated experience in program fundraising, alumni relations, or external engagement.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and travel extensively.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree.
• Prior Division I (FBS) head coaching experience.
• Experience executing youth camps/clinics.
• Experience working within a comprehensive athletics department.

 

Additional Posting Information:

JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

 

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

 

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

 

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.