Director of Academics
Windy City Storm Academy | Palatine, Illinois
Position Overview
The Director of Academics serves as the leader and face of the academic experience at Windy City Storm Academy. This individual is responsible for creating a high-performance educational environment that supports elite student-athletes as they Study, Train, and Play while pursuing their academic, junior hockey, and collegiate goals.The Director of Academics will oversee the Academy's blended learning environment, providing individualized academic support while ensuring every student remains on track toward graduation and NCAA eligibility. This position plays a critical role in helping develop disciplined, accountable, and well-rounded student-athletes prepared for success both on and off the ice.Working closely with Academy leadership, coaching staff, families, and partner schools, the Director of Academics will foster a culture of excellence where academics are valued equally alongside athletic development.
Key Responsibilities
Academic Leadership
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all academic matters within Windy City Storm Academy.
- Manage and oversee the Academy classroom and daily academic operations.
- Create individualized academic plans for each student-athlete.
- Monitor academic progress and ensure students remain on pace toward graduation.
- Coordinate with online schools, partner schools, teachers, counselors, and families.
- Maintain accurate academic records and documentation.
Student Success
- Provide individualized coaching in:
- Study strategies
- Time management
- Organization
- Goal setting
- Accountability
- Executive functioning skills
- Help student-athletes balance rigorous academic and athletic schedules.
- Build positive relationships with students while maintaining high expectations.
NCAA & College Readiness
- Guide student-athletes through NCAA academic requirements and eligibility standards.
- Ensure students meet high school graduation requirements.
- Assist families with academic planning for junior hockey and college pathways.
- Work alongside hockey operations staff to support each player's long-term development plan.
Collaboration
- Work closely with Academy leadership to develop habits and behaviors that contribute to student success.
- Communicate regularly with parents regarding academic performance and progress.
- Collaborate with coaches to ensure academic success complements athletic development.
- Participate in Academy meetings, events, and professional development opportunities.
Qualifications Required
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to mentor, teach, coach, and motivate students.
- Knowledge of NCAA academic eligibility standards and high school graduation requirements.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive, Classroom, Gmail) and the ability to quickly learn additional educational software platforms, including the Academy's Learning Management System.
Preferred
- Experience working with student-athletes.
- Experience in online or blended learning environments.
- Understanding of junior hockey, NCAA recruiting, and college admissions.
- Experience working with international students and diverse educational backgrounds.
Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will be:
- Passionate about education and student development.
- Highly organized and detail-oriented.
- A relationship-builder who connects well with students, families, and staff.
- A proactive problem solver who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
- Comfortable working independently while collaborating across multiple departments.
- Committed to helping student-athletes maximize both their academic and athletic potential.
Why Windy City Storm Academy?
Windy City Storm Academy provides a unique environment where academics and elite hockey development work together to prepare student-athletes for success at the junior, collegiate, and professional levels. Our student-athletes benefit from individualized academic support, high-level hockey training, leadership development, and mentorship designed to help them excel both in the classroom and on the ice.If you are passionate about helping young athletes reach their fullest potential, we invite you to join our team and make a lasting impact on the next generation of student-athletes.
Position: Full-Time
Location: Palatine, Illinois
Reports To: Academy Director / Hockey Operations Leadership
Pay: $50,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
