VP, Hockey Development & Player Experience
United States Hockey League
3 days ago
Remote
United States
Overview
The United States Hockey League is seeking a Vice President of Hockey Development & Player Experience to serve as the League's senior hockey operations leader and chief steward of the USHL player experience.
Working closely with the President and Commissioner, member clubs, General Managers, Head Coaches, players, USA Hockey, the NCAA, the NHL, and other stakeholders, this position will lead league-wide initiatives that strengthen player development, player experience, hockey operations, competitive integrity, and club support across all USHL member organizations.
The United States Hockey League is seeking a Vice President of Hockey Development & Player Experience to serve as the League's senior hockey operations leader and chief steward of the USHL player experience.
Working closely with the President and Commissioner, member clubs, General Managers, Head Coaches, players, USA Hockey, the NCAA, the NHL, and other stakeholders, this position will lead league-wide initiatives that strengthen player development, player experience, hockey operations, competitive integrity, and club support across all USHL member organizations.
The successful candidate will combine strong hockey operations experience with a passion for player development, practical leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to build consensus across independent clubs while advancing the League's strategic priorities.
This position may be remote or based in a mutually agreed location, with regular travel required.
Key Responsibilities
League Stewardship & Hockey Operations
- Serve as the League's senior hockey operations executive, ensuring the quality, consistency, and integrity of the USHL hockey product.
- Oversee league hockey operations, including roster administration, player transactions, drafts, tenders, waivers, transfers, eligibility, and compliance with League rules and regulations.
- Lead policy development, operational standards, and best practices that support competitive balance, player development, and organizational excellence.
- Serve as the primary League liaison to General Managers, Head Coaches, USA Hockey, the NCAA, the NHL, international federations, and other hockey stakeholders.
- Lead General Manager meetings, prepare league communications, and support Board, Executive Committee, and Commissioner initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically, build consensus, and lead organizational change across multiple independent stakeholders.
Player Development & Performance
- Lead the League's player development strategy, establishing standards and resources that support long-term athlete development.
- Partner with clubs to advance best practices in strength and conditioning, nutrition, recovery, performance science, analytics, sports medicine, and player evaluation.
- Evaluate and oversee development vendors, technology platforms, consultants, and subject matter experts that enhance player performance.
- Develop annual work plans, pilot programs, performance reporting, and recommendations that continuously improve League-wide development initiatives.
Player Experience & Club Support
- Lead league-wide player experience initiatives, including orientation, leadership development, player wellness, education, life skills, NCAA transition, NIL awareness, mental performance, and player support resources.
- Develop player feedback systems, including surveys, exit interviews, and leadership forums, to evaluate and continuously improve the USHL player experience.
- Oversee the USHL Captains Program and peer leadership initiatives that strengthen communication, accountability, team culture, and player engagement.
- Provide clubs with practical resources, education, and best practices that support coaches, performance staff, billet coordinators, academic personnel, and player support contacts.
Player Safety, Officiating & Game Operations
- Support League initiatives related to player safety, officiating development, game operations, discipline, and education.
- Partner with the Director of Player Safety and officiating leadership to improve consistency, communication, and educational resources for clubs, coaches, officials, and players.
- Assist in maintaining League standards for game operations, playing environments, and competitive integrity.
Events & Strategic Initiatives
- Provide operational leadership for League events including the Fall Classic, American Cup, Frosty Cup, drafts, combines, showcases, and other development initiatives.
- Support strategic initiatives involving player development, expansion, technology, research, data analytics, and League growth.
- Prepare reports, presentations, recommendations, and performance metrics for the Commissioner, Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and external stakeholders.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field preferred; advanced degree an asset; equivalent executive experience considered.
- Significant experience in hockey operations, player development, league administration, club operations, high performance, player support, or related leadership roles.
- Strong understanding of junior hockey, NCAA hockey, USA Hockey, the NHL, player pathway development, and hockey governance.
- Demonstrated ability to build programs, establish standards, and lead initiatives across multiple clubs or stakeholders.
- Experience working with coaches, General Managers, players, officials, medical professionals, and performance staff.
- Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
- Sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to manage sensitive issues with professionalism and integrity.
- Comfort working with performance data, analytics, budgeting, vendor management, reporting, and strategic planning.
- Willingness to travel extensively throughout the season.
Reporting Structure
The Vice President of Hockey Development & Player Experience reports directly to the President and Commissioner and serves as a member of the League's senior leadership team. The position may oversee staff within hockey operations, player development, analytics, administration, and other assigned functional areas.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The USHL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
The USHL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.