MORNINGSIDE UNIVERSITY

Head Competitive Dance Coach

Full-Time | Athletics | Sioux City, Iowa
Reports to: Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics

Lead the Next Chapter of a National Championship Program

Morningside University seeks an accomplished recruiter, teacher, and leader to build on its national championship legacy and establish sustained excellence in competitive dance.

The 2022 NAIA Competitive Dance National Champion, Morningside offers the opportunity to shape the program’s next chapter: recruit exceptional student-athletes, develop their potential, and unite them as one team capable of competing for national championships.

We value the disciplined work that sustains success: purposeful preparation, individual improvement, shared accountability, and a student experience that advances academic achievement, leadership, and graduation.

The Head Coach will lead the program’s competitive direction, recruiting strategy, athlete development, and daily operations while partnering with the Head Cheer Coach to support Morningside’s Spirit Squad.

What You Will Lead

Recruiting and Roster Development

• Execute a year-round recruiting strategy that attracts student-athletes capable of advancing the program’s competitive standard while meeting established enrollment and roster goals.

• Build relationships with high school and studio programs, maintain a strong regional presence, and develop additional recruiting markets.

• Identify talented, coachable, academically prepared students who put the team first and contribute to campus life.

• Maintain an organized recruiting pipeline and partner with Admissions and Financial Aid to guide prospects and families through visits, admission, scholarships, and enrollment.

Athlete Development and Competitive Preparation

• Translate a multiyear program vision into annual objectives, individual development plans, and purposeful daily practices.

• Teach and refine technique, synchronization, musicality, performance quality, and mental preparation.

• Develop or secure choreography that advances the team’s strengths and competitive potential.

• Use video, scoring criteria, and judges’ feedback to measure progress and improve execution.

• Coordinate conditioning, recovery, and injury prevention with appropriate athletics personnel.

Team Culture and Student Success

• Build a unified team defined by trust, preparation, discipline, and shared responsibility.

• Establish clear expectations, provide direct and constructive feedback, and develop leadership throughout the roster.

• Create a positive student-athlete experience that supports team cohesion, individual growth, and strong roster retention.

• Monitor academic progress and collaborate with faculty and student-support personnel to support persistence toward graduation and student-athlete well-being.

• Encourage campus involvement and community service while modeling the NAIA Champions of Character values.

Program Leadership

• Manage budgets, scholarship recommendations, scheduling, travel, equipment, and program personnel.

• Partner with the Head Cheer Coach in coaching and developing Morningside’s Spirit Squad, including game-day appearances, campus events, performances, and other university spirit initiatives.

• Coordinate shared practices, performances, and appearances with the Head Cheer Coach and athletics leadership within a schedule that supports academics, athlete well-being, and competitive preparation.

• Collaborate on fundraising, alumni engagement, and program promotion.

• Uphold university, conference, and NAIA requirements and represent Morningside with professionalism and integrity.

Who We Seek

The strongest candidates will demonstrate:

• Proven recruiting results, with clear evidence of their contribution to attracting, enrolling, and retaining talented student-athletes or participants.

• Measurable athlete development, including the ability to improve individual skills and translate that progress into team performance.

• Successful team building, with evidence of establishing a cohesive culture and elevating competitive results.

• Strong communication, planning, relationship-building, and resource-management skills.

• The ability to collaborate across dance and cheer to strengthen school spirit and the campus experience.

• A commitment to academic achievement, student-athlete welfare, and Morningside’s educational mission.

A bachelor’s degree and successful competitive dance coaching experience are required. Collegiate recruiting experience, knowledge of NAIA competition, and contributions to conference championships or national-level performances are strongly preferred. Accomplished head coaches and exceptional assistants prepared to lead are encouraged to apply.

The position requires travel and evening and weekend responsibilities.

How Success Will Be Measured

Success will reflect recruiting results, athlete development, team cohesion, academic achievement, roster retention, progress toward graduation, effective Spirit Squad collaboration, responsible program management, and progress toward sustained national championship contention. Annual objectives will align with the program’s starting position and available resources.

Apply

Submit a cover letter, résumé, and contact information for three professional references to employment@morningside.edu. Highlight your recruiting results, your specific contributions to athlete and team development, and your approach to building sustained competitive excellence. Finalists will discuss their vision and development plan for Morningside competitive dance.