Director of Hockey
Essence of the Position
Athol Murray College of Notre Dame has one of the most elite hockey programs in Canada for students who desire an excellent academic and athletic experience. 听The Hockey program at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame prides itself on development. 听The development of our student-athletics; their skills and training; the development of our teams and coaches; and the development of our people as persons on the pathway to growing in virtuous character; are all aspects of what constitutes a Notre Dame student who plays hockey.
The Director of Hockey is Athol Murray College of Notre Dame鈥檚 key strategic, operational and relational leader as it pertains to the delivery and success of the College鈥檚 hockey program. 听The individual in this position, with the support of the College President and College Executive team, is responsible for implementing the strategic direction, organization, administration and management of the Hockey program at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame.
Reporting to the College President, the Director of Hockey is one of the key leaders at the school entrusted with the delivery of the school鈥檚 mission and vision for our students. As part of the College Leadership team, the Director of Hockey is tasked with ensuring that the hockey program is a significant component of an exceptional educational and boarding experience with a balance of strong academic, athletic and spiritual growth in a safe and caring community.
The Director of Hockey not only is the Director of the Hockey office staff and coaches, but is the person responsible for ensuring that the objectives of the hockey office align with the school鈥檚 goals and processes for academics, athletics, spiritual life, boarding life, student health and wellness, enrolment, development, finance, facilities and community engagement.
The Director of Hockey must be comfortable working in a very competitive market and must have the abilities, work ethic, experience, intelligence and engagement to keep the Notre Dame hockey program at the forefront of current trends. 听In short, this is a key position at the College entrusted with much responsibility and opportunity, as the number of student- athletes, parents, staff and stakeholders that one will encounter will afford this individual breadth of reach and influence.
The Hockey Program 鈥� a snapshot
Male: One Junior A, two U18 AAA, two U18AA, one U18A, one U17 Prep, one U16 prep, one U15 prep and one U15AA.
Female: one U18AAA, one U18AA.
The Director of Hockey collaborates with the Principal who is responsible for the teachers who coach hockey and also collaborates with the Nurse Manger who is responsible for the athletic therapist and training room.
Key responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Strategic Leader:
1. 听 听Developing an annual and multi-year strategic plan for Notre Dame Hockey which includes:
a. 听 听Player development, retention, recruitment, and placement.
b. 听 听Coaches – professional development, recruitment, and placement.
c. 听 听Overall vision for the hockey program, its growth and development and positioning in the marketplace.
d. 听 听Development of goals (longer term, 5 years), strategies (medium term, 2-5 years) and actions (short term, one year) that will guide and direct the hockey program.
a. 听 听Overseeing the recruitment and retention of all Notre Dame Hockey teams for each academic school year to ensure sustainability for the program.
b. 听 听Developing scouting and recruiting network to be the face and voice of the Notre Dame College Hockey Program.
c. 听 听Scouting of potential prospect players having a minimum of 100 leads.
d. 听 听Creating and maintaining a list of names for potential student athletes after each recruiting trip.
e. 听 听Providing scouting information including rosters, names, birthdates, contact information, etc.
f. 听 听Following up with prospects to develop and maintain the scouting database.
g. 听 听Communicating with the Enrollment Management department and recruiters for new student prospects and registrations.
h. 听 听Collaborating with other Notre Dame departments i.e. Marketing and Communications, Academics, etc. as part of the recruitment and retention plan.
a. 听 听Directing the technical development of all teams by mentoring and developing a yearly plan, play book and regular evaluations of coaches.
b. 听 听Developing and formatting a curriculum for all hockey teams and players with the Principal/Director of Academics; taking feedback from staff and staff who oversee their own pods.
c. 听 听Placement of coaches for all teams and participate in the evaluation of those coaches.
d. 听 听Participating in player evaluation, selection, development; create benchmarks for player evaluation and progress.
e. 听 听Organizing and enhancing coaches鈥� development by providing them with the opportunity to attend seminars, off-ice development sessions and organize guest coach appearances.
f. 听 听Providing support to all coaches both on and off the ice when required.
g. 听 听Touching base with pod leaders who are the designated liaisons of their leagues in their pods.
h. 听 听Developing a library of coaching resources and professional development opportunities for all coaches.
a. 听 听Ensuring sufficient staffing in the hockey office and volunteer coaches occurs which includes participating in interviews and final selection of newly hired staff in consultation with Human Resources and the President.
b. 听 听Overseeing the administration function of the hockey office by ensuring job descriptions are in place for employees, management of and adherence to goal setting, monitoring job performance, conducting employee evaluations and other related matters such as vacation day tracking, etc.
c. 听 听Leading and coordinating regular meetings with all hockey office staff and coaches.
a. 听 听Having continuous communication with all hockey office staff, coaches and specific staff members at the College. 听This includes basic daily operational conversations as well as more difficult crucial conversations that are meant to improve ownership, performance, accountability and responsibility.
b. 听 听Ensuring staff have responsibilities and goals outlined on an annual basis and that the goals are aligned with the goals of the hockey department and school.
c. 听 听Creating and executing a communication plan with coaches, student athletes (hockey players) and their parents/guardians; participating in on-going communication with players and parents/guardians both present and future.
d. 听 听Being the main contact in resolution of conflicts that may arise in staff, parents, players, coaches鈥� situations or disciplinary issues directly for all teams on campus.
e. 听 听On-going communication with players and parents both present and future.
f. 听 听Being the face of the Notre Dame Hockey Program and participating in external communication with the media, scouts and coaches, general managers of University, College, Junior and Professional programs.
g. 听 听Communicating team schedule(s) and player movement information so all departments are in the loop.
h. 听 听Coordinate and communicate with other departments when required.
i. 听 听Contacting potential student athletes (letters, phone calls, meetings, etc.)
a. 听 听Assisting with providing support for graduating players in finding them a suitable level of hockey post Notre Dame.
b. 听 听Assisting the Enrollment Office with campus day visits.
c. 听 听Promotion of the Notre Dame hockey program, current players through social media.
d. 听 听Providing input, as requested, to the Financial Assistance Committee.
a. 听 听Reporting directly to the President and providing strategic input reporting to the Leadership team.
b. 听 听Attending Board of Regents meetings and works in concert with the Board and/or with any Board Committee as directed by the President. 听Also provides hockey reporting to the Board of Regents for each Board meeting.
c. 听 听Attending student (award evenings, graduations, concerts, etc.), alumni, and College and public events as appropriate.
d. 听 听Attending to any special assignment mutually agreed upon with the President.
e. 听 听Taking the initiative to participate in Professional Development opportunities provided by the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools or any other similar organizations.
These competencies describe the required behaviors and expectations for this position:
Conflict Management: Successfully mediates conflict and disagreements between team members and other colleagues in a constructive manner to minimize negative personal impact. Has the ability to settle disputes equitably and anticipates and takes steps to prevent counter-productive confrontations.
The ideal candidate will possess:
鈥� 听 听Three (3) to five (5) years鈥� experience in a managerial role.
鈥� 听 听Hockey knowledge and experience in a hockey organization.
鈥� 听 听Previous hockey playing and coaching experience is mandatory.
鈥� 听 听Excellent computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
鈥� 听 听Must have a clean Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector.
鈥� 听 听Must have a valid driver鈥檚 license.
鈥� 听 听Ability and willingness to travel.
鈥� 听 听Display a commitment to Notre Dame鈥檚 Catholic nature, philosophy, principles, mission, history and strategic plan.
鈥� 听 听A willingness to interact with the student body in a positive manner (i.e. coaching, student clubs, etc.).
To apply, submit your cover letter and resume to听sports.careers@notredame.ca