Exciting Opportunity: Ontario Ski Team Seeking Men’s Head Coach!

Job Title: Ontario Ski Team Men’s Head Coach
Organization: Alpine Ontario Alpin
Position: Full time
Location: Collingwood, Canada
Reports to: AOA Executive Director

The Team

The Ontario Ski Team (“OST”) is a high-performance development program designed to prepare Ontario’s best FIS ski racers with the broad range of skills and characteristics needed to succeed at the highest levels of international competition. The primary athletic goals of the Ontario Ski Team are to help athletes maximize athletic potential and advance to the Canadian Alpine Ski Team (CAST). The primary benchmark events for the Ontario Ski Team are Nor am Cup and the World Junior Championships. Many graduating Ontario Ski Team athletes choose to pursue their athletic goals through National Collegiate Athletic Association or other elite university ski racing programs.

Position Summary

We are currently seeking an experienced and motivated individual to join our organization in the role of Men’s Head Coach, Ontario Ski Team. The role of the coach is to support the Ontario Ski Team athletes in reaching their athletic goals of both short-term and long-term athletic development oriented towards achieving performance benchmarks at FIS, Nor-Ams, and World Junior Championships. OST coaches should understand and promote the vision, goals, and culture of Alpine Ontario. This will involve being a team player and leading by example on and off the hill. All coaches are expected to embrace the demands of the job, which involves extensive travel nationally and internationally and representing Ontario at all events including FIS, Nor am, and other international competitions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Mandate Summary
• Lead and oversee the planning, implementation, management and coaching of the OST Men’s Ski Team racing program.
• Drive and elevate preparation and performance of OST athletes towards achieving top 10 results at Nor-Ams and WJC
• Graduate athletes to the CAST with the best possible preparation in all performance profiles according to ACA Gold Medal Profile metrics.

Experience, Qualities and Certification
• Coaching experience leading a performance FIS Program with Nor-Am/Continental Cup exposure.
• Demonstrable track record of success developing high performing ski racers and programs.
• ACA PL Certified or international equivalent.
• A highly motivated leader that thrives in team environments.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to motivate and inspire high performing athletes.
• Experience designing and/or implementing strength and conditioning programs.
• Experience implementing and using SSSMi resources, tools and metrics (S&C, data tracking, athlete wellness monitoring, mental performance support, IAPP use and tracking).
• Experience running high quality out-of-province and out-of-country training and race projects.
• Networking skills and contacts for North American, European, and Southern Hemisphere ski areas.
• Commitment to providing safe and inclusive environments for athletes to thrive.
• Commitment to following and furthering the AOA HP Plan, Vision and Objectives.
• Commitment to athletic excellence and athletic growth.
• Ability to perform, multi-task and meet deadlines under pressure or high stress environments.
• Demonstratable knowledge of boot-fitting and ski preparation is an asset.

Specific Responsibilities

Leadership, Coaching, Athlete Development, Management, and Inspiration
• Lead and oversee all aspects of the OST Men’s program including but not limited to coaching, yearly training and competition plan, technical and tactical strategy, mental performance planning, physical conditioning and SSSMi programs.
• Manage the Program’s budgets, fiscal reporting, and support reconciliation in collaboration with Alpine Ontario accounting team.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Alpine Ontario High Performance Plan.
• Maximize the potential of all OST athletes with the best preparation for performance at Benchmark events. (Nor-Am, WJC)

Staff and Program Management
• Manage and Monitor the OST men’s staff (assistant coaches).
• Provide, manage, and maintain a high-performance culture and daily training environments for athletes and coaches on the OST.
• In concert with the AOA HP Director and OST Women’s Head coach, develop clear and fair team and program selection criteria and processes that will ensure continued success in meeting the AOA High Performance Plan objectives.
• Ensure the clear communication and adherence to these policies.
• Maintain a high standard of communication and feedback to athletes/parents on an ongoing basis (in concert with team coaches).
• Oversee and Manage OST Men’s Coaching staff:
• Ensure that all staff responsibilities, authorities, and accountabilities are clearly defined, understood, carried out and evaluated.
• Provide ongoing performance feedback to team coaches both informally and formally (annual performance debrief).
• Participate in weekly or bi-weekly IST meetings with AOA, CSIO, ALC staff, and any external contractors.
• Work with Ontario Development Ski Team and AOA member clubs to foster system alignment and provide the best training and competition opportunities for Ontario athletes.
• Maximize use of AOA HP Program planning, monitoring and evaluation processes and tools including YTP’s, IPP’s, Goal Setting, Data Tracking, Wellness Monitoring, GMP Talent ID Evaluation, Video analysis catalogue.
• Assist and help lead research and innovation projects with assistance from AOA staff and stakeholders.

Athlete Management & Program Development
• Communicate clearly and consistently both formally and informally with OST athletes including goal setting, multi-year individual athlete performance plans, regular evaluations, progress reports and performance tracking.
• Work with AOA HP Director and Regional and club coaches to identify, recruit and retain Ontario’s best ski racers and create training or project opportunities to integrate new athletes.
• In conjunction with AOA High Performance Director and Club Head Coaches, provide leadership in:
• The development of tools and resources to elevate coaching and programming in Ontario.
• The development of training projects to give more athletes access to HP programming or environments.

Professional Development
• Develop an annual and long-term Professional Development Plan in concert with the AOA HP Director
• Demonstrate commitment to professional growth and coaching excellence.

Logistics and Equipment Management
• Plan and book all required travel and vehicle rentals, hotels, training space and race entries.
• Manage athlete equipment needs and liaise proactively with equipment representatives to secure the best possible equipment for team members.
• Ensure that individual athlete equipment is prepared optimally for training and competition.
• Ensure that vehicles used by the team are operated in a safe manner, kept clean, and that scheduled and required maintenance is completed in a timely fashion.
• Maintain an accurate inventory of all team equipment, ensure the equipment is operated in a safe manner and that maintenance is carried out as required.

Working Conditions
• Full Time position with constant travel required.
• Significant time working outdoors in winter conditions.
• Requires lifting, walking and skiing.
• Significant overtime required during peak periods to be taken as time in lieu as scheduling permits.

Please submit cover letters and resumes and three references to AOA Executive Director Patrick Biggs at pbiggs@alpineontario.ca. Note that only those being considered for an interview will be contacted. The position is expected to be filled by June 10th.

Thank you very much for your interest in working at Alpine Ontario. We look forward to meeting you! Alpine Ontario is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment within an exciting and challenging work environment.