Head Coach Men’s Hockey

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Job Summary

Queen’s University Athletics & Recreation is seeking a dynamic, student-athlete centred leader to serve as Head Coach of the Men’s Hockey program—one of the most historic and visible programs in Canadian university sport.
Established in 1875, the Queen’s Men’s Hockey program is deeply rooted in tradition and competitive excellence. As one of the earliest intercollegiate programs in Canada, it continues to play a prominent role within the U SPORTS and the Ontario University Athletics (OUA). The program has sustained success at the provincial and national level, strong alumni engagement, and a deep connection to the Kingston community through its presence at the Kingston Memorial Centre.

The Head Coach is responsible for the overall leadership, direction, planning, and performance of a high-performance varsity program of approximately 30 student-athletes, supported by a team of assistant coaches and staff. The role includes multi-year recruitment planning, development of elite training and competition strategies, and the cultivation of a high-performance culture aligned with Queen’s Athletics & Recreation priorities.

The Head Coach plays a critical leadership role in advancing student-athlete experience, competitive excellence, alumni engagement, and philanthropic growth, while fostering strong relationships with the Kingston community.

In addition to sport specific coaching duties, the incumbent will assume leadership and/or supporting roles in the development and implementation of education, training, special projects and/or administrative functions. The Head Coach will support evolving sport trends, programs, and services within high performance sport that will enhance the holistic needs of student-athletes and the overall high-performance environment. Community interaction, I-EDIAA and revenue generation are key strategic priorities for the department of Athletics & Recreation. Further, the Head Coach fosters community engagement and cultivates relationships with alumni and Queen’s hockey supporters.

The schedule for this position requires the Head Coach to regularly work evenings and weekends, according to the program needs.

Have a question? Want to read the formal position description? Reach out to us at ARCHR@queensu.ca

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Promote a culture of inclusion that embodies A&R values, with a commitment to the university’s equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion initiatives designed to foster an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming work environment for individuals with diverse backgrounds and identities.
• Demonstrate leadership that fosters a culture of integrity, respect, collaboration, accountability, and inclusion within the program, while ensuring adherence to Queen’s University policies, Safe Sport principles, OUA and U SPORTS regulations, and all applicable standards of conduct.
• Foster a safe, respectful, and athlete centred environment that supports the holistic well being and development of student athletes and contributes to a positive culture within the team and program staff.
• Perform all coaching duties consistent with the operation of a successful Varsity Team program, including recruitment, team selection, personnel management, team performance planning, creating individual skill acquisition and performance plans, tactical and technical preparation, practice planning and preparation, competition preparation, management and evaluation, scouting, scheduling, budgeting, athlete performance target, evaluation framework and feedback mechanism, program evaluation, equipment and uniform purchase coordination, maintenance of regular contact with athletes, etc.
• In collaboration with the Director, High Performance Sport Programs, design and implement a comprehensive high-performance plan that is conducive to positioning Queen’s at a competitive level to achieve provincial and national prominence.
• Stay current with knowledge, trends and practices that are necessary to build and maintain a competitive program.
• In collaboration with the members of the high-performance unit, support and assist in implementing programs and services that support student athletes, including maintaining accurate athlete records and databases, recruiting processes and protocol, admission cycle protocols, awards, bursary and scholarship protocols, academic support, eligibility, doping controls and other OUA/U SPORTS competition requirements.
• Work in conjunction with other members of the A&R units to support athlete performance in each of their respective areas, such as injury prevention, management and rehabilitation, development of individual strength and conditioning programs, academic support programs, etc.
• Work with other A&R Units including, Recreation & Active Living, Finance & Administration, Facilities, Advancement and Marketing Communications & Events to generate revenue in support of specific of program operating costs. (eg. camps, performance academies, clinics, etc.)
• The Coach is an integral member of the A&R team and as such is expected to support the priorities and initiatives of the department, participate in department activities, attend events, and contribute to the work of the department.
• The Coach will enhance the profile and reputation of the Hockey program as a premier program in Canada.
• Undertake other duties as required in support of the Department.

Required Qualifications:
• Minimum 3-year post-secondary education completion. University degree preferred.
• Previous coaching experience (5+ years) working in a provincial and/or national sport high performance environment. Three years in a Head Coaching role preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of sport coaching systems and strategies, the ability to teach/coach/prepare for practice and competitions at an elite level in the sport they are coaching.
• Experience developing (ages 18-25) high-performance athletes toward provincial, national, and international standards.
• Fully certified as a Performance Coach (i.e. Level 3 equivalent) NCCP, and actively pursuing Advanced Performance Coach or High-Performance Coach (i.e. Level 4/5) status, preferred.
• Evidence of completion of prior education on Safe Sport through the Coaching Association of Canada as well as Concussion Awareness training and injury management.
• Demonstrated leadership, program development and athlete development skills at a high-performance level.
• The successful candidate must be (or become upon hiring) a Chartered Professional Coach (ChPCs) or Registered Coach with the Coaching Association of Canada, preferred.
• Satisfactory Criminal Records Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening required.
• Valid Province of Ontario Class G driver’s license required.
• Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Skills:
• Strong customer service orientation with a demonstrated passion for the university and its people.
• Must have full technical knowledge, a demonstrated ability to analyze, and be current in all of the rules and regulation that govern the sport they are coaching.
• Demonstrated skills/abilities in planning and organizing, taking initiative, problem solving and exercising good judgment. Ability to maintain tact and composure in a highly competitive environment.
• Demonstrated strong leadership and team building skills. Must be able to deal with crisis management related issues and manage public relations interactions with media, alumni, and University officials. Teamwork and team building are essential to this role and the ability to collaborate within a collegial environment is paramount.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills; instructional, coaching, and motivating skills; influencing and team building skills. Including the ability to think creatively and work in a team-based environment.

DECISION MAKING:
• Athlete identification, recruitment, awards, selection, playing time.
• Development of team tactics, strategies, practices, and competition schedules.
• Setting and monitoring team goals, expectations, conduct, and discipline.
• Selection and directing coaching and team support staff.
• Must become knowledgeable in the OUA and U SPORTS rules that govern the sport programs around recruiting, athletic scholarship, eligibility compliance rules.
• Public and media relations with respect to information/ accessibility to the program.
• Prepare budgets making decisions on what equipment, supplies and services are needed for the program.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen's is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized persons, Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at hradmin@queensu.ca.