Featured image: National Ski Academy
The National Ski Academy (NSA) is an independent boarding school with a mission to provide an environment to maximize individual potential through the pursuit of alpine ski racing excellence, academic achievement, and personal growth. It was established in 1986 by coaching legend Jurg Gfeller, who is still an integral part of the organization.
2025/2026 will be an exciting year as we look to evolve our athletic programming. As part of our program expansion, we are seeking an Athletic Director to oversee and implement an extraordinary world class Alpine program, for U16, FIS and PG. The Athletic Director will be instrumental in NSA’s future program as we continue to be the Canadian high-performance ski racing academic destination for our top young athletes.
Job Summary
As a member of the Leadership Team of the National Ski Academy (NSA) you will be responsible for the overall on and off hill athletic program at NSA. This position will coordinate the program planning, in collaboration with the coaching team, for the U16 and FIS programs. You will create and foster an inspiring team environment where student athletes can realize their full athletic potential through strength and conditioning, nutrition, sports psychology, and on-snow opportunities. You will also serve as a mentor for all NSA coaches.
About the NSA
The National Ski Academy offers an ideal balance for our student athletes. In addition to elite ski racing programs, the NSA prides itself on its comprehensive academic programs and “education that travels”. We are an Ontario Ministry-inspected private school offering courses at the university level for grades nine through twelve. Our home at 200 Oak Street in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada provides the facilities necessary for Canadian and international alpine athletes to pursue their ski racing dreams. Tornaveen, the 12,000 square foot mansion, offers a gymnasium, weight room, tuning facilities, classrooms, study hall, boarding facilities, and a kitchen with a full time chef.
Application Process
Candidates will be reviewed upon submission. Please send a resume and covering letter to Sarah Marriott (smarriott@nsa.on.ca) by April 23.
National Ski Academy: Athletic Director
Responsibilities
• Oversee all components of National Ski Academy’s athletic program including the preparation and implementation of a yearly training plan, which integrates the development of performance enhanced capacities for the Academy, as well as an introductory plan for new athletes entering the program;
• Plan and execute an exceptional, comprehensive elite athletic program for U16 through to Post Grad (both male and female) athletes (including camps, training, and races);
• Foster a working relationship with the Escarpment clubs, AOA, and other national and international programs to advocate for NSA’s athletic/academic programming;
• Create Program budget and monitor program spending;
• Ensure timely and consistent communication with athletes, coaches, NSA staff, and parent community;
• Coordinate logistics for transportation, accommodation, nutrition, training blocks, tuning space, and race entries (and/or any additional requirements for training, camps, and travel);
• Oversee the hiring, management and evaluation of all Alpine, conditioning, and mental training coaches;
• Ensure appropriate levels of training, professional development, and feedback occur for all coaches;
• Understand the racer landscape to always be actively engaging with and recruiting top student athletes for NSA;
• Plan and oversee a robust and athlete focused strength and conditioning program that spans the year including summer months, camps, racing blocks and academic blocks;
• Plan and oversee an integrated mental preparedness program to support each athlete;
• Monitor and review progression plans for all athletes with coaches and coordinate changes as required;
• Work with coaches to provide athlete written reports in addition to ongoing verbal and video coaching and feedback;
• Provide leadership when dealing with athletes who break the code of conduct and take disciplinary actions as appropriate including communication with parents as required; • Work closely with Executive Director & Education Director to ensure academic and athletic schedules complement each other;
• Ensure adherence and annual implementation of safety policies with staff and athletes;
• Perform coaching duties;
• Plan activities to create a socially interactive team environment to promote inclusivity of all teammates (i.e.: Saas Fee cup, group hikes, team dinners etc.);
• Monitor and ensures all equipment requirements for training, dryland and tuning are available and in working order (i.e.: gates, timing, video equipment, trailers, gym equipment), and oversees management of gymnasium and tuning facilities;
Qualifications and Experience
• Performance Level 3 or 4 Canadian Ski Coaches Federation – fully certified coach (or international equivalent);
• Currently in good standing with ACA;
• Management experience, proven leadership ability, highly organized with an attention to detail;
• Ability to prepare and manage budgets, including budget oversight experience;
• 5 years of experience coaching high performance athletes at Nor Am Cups and proven track record of developing athletes to higher levels;
• Demonstrates passion and enthusiasm, and can motivate, lead, and empower others to achieve shared goals; ability to look at situations from different points of view;
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated experience working with different stakeholders in a team environment;
• A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards in a diverse workplace;
• Vulnerable Sector Police clearance;
• Ontario Class F Driver’s License;
• Conditioned to withstand the physical demands of on hill training including but not limited to moderate to heavy lifting, and long exposures to inclement weather;
• Fluency in other languages (i.e. French, Spanish, German) would be an asset.
Please send a resume and covering letter to Sarah Marriott (smarriott@nsa.on.ca) by April 23.
About the Author: Ellie Hartman
