The posting
The Pingry School, a prestigious K-12 coeducational, independent day school with a rich history dating back to its founding by Dr. John F. Pingry in 1861, stands at the forefront of academic excellence in the United States. With campuses located in Basking Ridge, Pottersville, and Short Hills, New Jersey, Pingry is celebrated for its academic programs, a student-written Honor Code that underpins our community values, and a comprehensive commitment to arts, athletics, community, and civic engagement. Our mission is to inspire in our students a lifelong passion for learning, personal development, and social responsibility, preparing them to be global citizens and luminaries of the 21st century. Rooted in relationships and guided by our foundational philosophy, Pingry is a vibrant community of more than 1,100 students hailing from over 90 towns across New Jersey and New York. At Pingry, we are united by a love of learning and a commitment to preparing students to navigate the complexities of the 21st century with confidence and integrity. For more information, we invite you to visit our website at pingry.org or connect with The Pingry School on Facebook, X, and Instagram to discover why we love school.
About Pingry Athletics Pingry Athletics is guided by four core commitments that shape how we coach, compete, and serve students:
- Ethical Competitiveness means pursuing athletic excellence through honor, character, and sportsmanship. We compete with purpose and place the common good of the team, program, and School above individual advantage.
- Student-Athlete Alignment reflects our belief that students should not have to choose between high academic achievement and athletic excellence. We view sport as an extension of the classroom and use competition to develop character, resilience, leadership, and personal responsibility.
- Athletics also serves as Pingry’s “Big Blue Thread,” connecting students, employees, families, and alumni across our K-12 community through shared tradition, school pride, and a strong sense of belonging.
- Through Operational Excellence and Predictability, the Athletics Department provides coordinated administrative support, resources, and professional development so coaches can focus on coaching, student mentorship, and the growth of their programs.
About the Pingry Fencing Program The Pingry Fencing program boasts a rich tradition of competitive excellence and skill development across multiple age levels. Competing in the rigorous Skyland Conference, the program fields highly competitive Boys and Girls Varsity teams, as well as robust Middle School developmental teams. Our fencing program is committed to producing well-rounded, efficient competitors who embody Pingry’s athletic values of integrity, sportsmanship, and resilience both on and off the strip.
Position Summary The Pingry School prides itself on a rich academic and athletic success history. Developing student-athletes of equal passion and character is a priority of our program. We offer over 83 different teams in the Middle and Upper Schools, and over 90% of our Upper School students play at least one interscholastic sport. From fielding championship teams to encouraging participation among our youngest students, we aim to cultivate athletic excellence. This is a part-time stipended coaching position.
The ideal candidate is an inspiring, communicative fencing professional with demonstrated technical expertise in Epee and Foil who thrives in a demanding educational environment. You seamlessly blend weapon-specific strategic knowledge with a genuine passion for student mentorship. Deeply connected to the New Jersey youth fencing landscape, you understand that true athletic success involves emotional and psychological development. Driven by ethical competitiveness, you are eager to collaborate with the athletic department to foster a culture of honor, character, and inclusive excellence on the fencing strip.
Requirements
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate young athletes towards achieving their personal and team goals.
- A thorough understanding of fencing techniques, strategies, and rules, with the ability to impart this knowledge effectively to student-athletes.
- Excellent communication skills, capable of providing clear instructions, constructive feedback, and constant encouragement to team members.
- Commitment to the Pingry School’s mission of scholarly exploration, personal growth, and social responsibility, and the capacity to instill these values in student-athletes.
- Willingness to collaborate closely with other coaching staff and school administrators to ensure the overall success of the athletic program.
- Adherence to all school policies and regulations, as well as the ethical standards and sportsmanship expected by the Pingry School and its athletic programs.
Qualifications
- Demonstrated coaching and/or competitive experience with Epee and Foil.
- Demonstrated experience in fencing, with preference given to candidates who have coached at the collegiate and/or high school level.
- Club coaching experience preferred.
- Competed at the collegiate level or possess substantial high school experience.
- Prior coaching experience, preferably within an educational environment that highlights a candidate's ability to foster athletic, emotional, and psychological development.
- Connected to the world of NJ Youth Fencing, high school and club.
- Ability to commit to the time requirements of the position, including the ability to travel to practices and games, some of which may be scheduled during weekends.
- Practices for Upper School Athletics commence at 3:30 pm, with varying end times.
- A deep commitment to upholding the values of honor and character and a keen ability to engage with and respect diverse groups further enrich our inclusive school community.
- Must have a valid driver's license.
The stipend for this position is $4,750. Final compensation will be determined based on experience, education, and internal organization and peer data at Pingry are also considered.
Pingry offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement plans with employer matching; life and disability insurance; tuition remission for employees' children; and access to wellness and professional development resources.
A full list of benefits is available at www.pingry.org/careers.
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply online at https://www.pingry.org/careers, demonstrating their alignment with Pingry's values and their vision for contributing to the Varsity Fencing team.
The Pingry School aspires to be an anti-racist community and is committed to the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Pingry is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Pingry School's employment policy is that individuals will receive equal opportunity in all matters pertaining to recruitment, employment, salary, promotion, and assignment, regardless of race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy status, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran, or other basis proscribed by federal, state, and local law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.
