Coordinator, Youth Hockey Development

Job Title: Coordinator – Youth Hockey Development

Department: Amateur Hockey

Location: Chicago / United Center (In-Office)

Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm / Monday – Friday

Status: Exempt

Reports to: Vice President, Affiliates

# Direct Reports: n/a

Compensation: The annual budgeted salary for this position is $50,000-$55,000. Offers are made within this range and are based on relevant experience, skills, and qualifications.

The Chicago Blackhawks are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, local law, ordinance, or regulation and will not be discriminated against on these bases.

Role Summary:

The Chicago Blackhawks are seeking a dynamic and highly motivated professional to join our team as a Youth Hockey Development Coordinator. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining strategic relationships with ice facilities and hockey organizations to advance the Chicago Blackhawks’ youth hockey growth initiatives. Your efforts will directly contribute to growing our Little Blackhawks program, expanding our arena network, strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, and driving impactful events & programming that supports the organization’s goals and objectives. If you are passionate about making a meaningful difference in the hockey community, and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, this is an exciting opportunity to play a vital role in growing the game of hockey and the Blackhawks brand.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Identify, engage, and cultivate strategic partnerships with ice facilities and hockey organizations to enhance the Blackhawks’ presence and influence across Illinois and surrounding markets.
• Oversee the execution of key youth hockey programs, such as Little Blackhawks Learn to Play, the Blackhawks GOAL program, and other programs while ensuring high-quality implementation at partner facilities.
• Assist in the planning and execution of the new initiatives such as NHL Street to provide entry-level opportunities for new participants through on and off-ice programming.
• Work with internal teams to create and implement innovative programming that increases participation and retention, while enhancing the Blackhawks’ grassroots impact.
• Develop innovative strategies to promote the Chicago Blackhawks brand and increase its presence within the youth hockey community.
• Collaborate with partners to develop joint marketing and promotional campaigns that drive awareness and participation in youth hockey initiatives.
• Work closely with the Blackhawks Business Strategy & Analytics team to track fandom journeys, measure program effectiveness, and analyze engagement data.
• Develop and implement key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the success of partnership and program initiatives, including participation rates, retention figures, and revenue growth.
• Generate reports to provide insights and recommendations for continuous program improvement.
• Assist in negotiating and establishing partnership agreements, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and alignment with the organization’s strategic vision.
• Work collaboratively with internal stakeholders to leverage the arena network for broader business objectives, including ticket sales, memberships, and merchandise promotions.
• Adhere to all organizational policies and procedures to ensure a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all program participants and partners.
• Support all departmental initiatives, including on-site execution at events, tournaments, and special activations.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree.

• Preferred 2-4 years of program and league management experience.

• Strong knowledge and understanding of the game of hockey, particularly at the youth level.
• Previous experience in organizing and coordinating sports programs, preferably in hockey.

• Strong organizational and administrative skills, with attention to detail.

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

• Proficiency in using software for scheduling, registration, and data management.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

• A demonstrated ability to manage effectively towards outcomes.

• Ability to work flexible hours including nights and weekends.

• Demonstrates organization’s core values of integrity, curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and originality.

What It’s Like Working Here:

The Chicago Blackhawks experience isn’t just on the ice. Our office, located in the United Center, promotes a fun, engaging, fast-paced and collaborative atmosphere where we can celebrate both hockey and each other. Our commitment to curating an environment where all individuals feel empowered to bring their best self to work each day can be seen throughout our organization. Whether you are a job seeker looking to join the organization, a current member of our amazing team, or someone looking to help support our mission, our goal is the same – to reimagine the potential of hockey through memorable, inclusive experiences.

Perks and Benefits:

Competitive total rewards package, full benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401k matching, paid life insurance), employee assistance program (EAP), comprehensive PTO package, social events, volunteer opportunities, and learning and development. Employer-paid breakfast, lunch, parking, on-site gym and training classes, employee ticket program, and more.

The Team:

The Chicago Blackhawks started their journey as one of the NHL’s “Original Six” professional ice hockey teams in 1926. Members of the Central Division in the NHL’s Western Conference and six-time Stanley Cup Champions (1934, 1938, 1961, 2010, 2013, 2015), the team calls the United Center home.

Each day the Team works to uphold our mission to reimagine the potential of hockey. At its core, the team and greater organization uphold its mission through its core values centered around integrity, curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and originality. They are fiercely dedicated to evolving and delivering new and legendary fan experiences and captivating new and diverse audiences, both on and off the ice. As part of their unwavering commitment to drive impact and purpose in the Chicago community, the organization opened the Fifth Third Arena (the team’s official practice facility and community space for youth hockey development), continues to make expansions to the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, and acquired the AHL team the Rockford IceHogs.

The Chicago Blackhawks continue to grow in its commitments to honor and celebrate Black Hawk's legacy by offering our platforms, making meaningful contributions, collaborating with Native American people, and reimagining ways to support the many Native American people and communities they live amongst and alongside. They engage in this work through their formal partnership with Black Hawk’s ancestral tribe, the Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma, which the tribe established with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021.