Assistant Coach - Women's Rugby - job 1 of 2

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

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 Women’s Rugby 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.  Full-time, partial year (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.

Additional responsibilities:

In addition to the duties listed above, the Assistant Coach will, under the direction of the Head Coach, help run the inter-collegiate Women's Rugby program at Harvard. This role will help instruct and develop student athletes; assist in making strategic decisions in contest situations; assist in developing and implementing the recruiting strategy; and handle administrative responsibilities associated with the program operations, including recruiting logistics and planning, compliance, team travel details, and equipment ordering.  

Working Conditions:

• Evening and weekend work required.
• Frequent travel 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. 

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience
• Minimum of 1 year of rugby coaching experience, or 4 years of rugby playing experience, at the collegiate, national, professional, and/or Olympic level

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience working with Backs and/or S&C experience preferred
• Requires substantial sport-specific knowledge and knowledge of relevant issues.
• Understands the philosophy, principles and policies of college athletics (including the University Conflict of Interest and Commitment policy).

Certificates and Licenses:

• Valid driver's license needed.
• CPR and First Aid required.

• Appointment End Date: June 30, 2026
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 32.25 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, and DMV
• Other Information:

  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.

• NOTE - this role is not eligible for Paid Time Off (PTO).

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.