Head Coach Job Posting
Title of Position: Head Coach – Whitby
Term: Permanent – Full Time
Start Date: August 2025
Remuneration: Salary and benefits are according to internal salary policy and based on experience.
Announcement Date: January 9, 2025
Closing Date: February 7, 2025
Okanagan Hockey Ontario (OHO) is seeking a full-time Head Coach to join our team in Whitby, Ontario. The successful candidate will play a key role in a world-class hockey development program, dedicated to fostering excellence in all aspects of student-athletes’ on-ice performance and off-ice development.
Our Mission:
To create an environment that gives every student-athlete the best possible opportunity to achieve and surpass individual potential through structure, support, knowledge and experience.
OHO Background:
Okanagan Hockey Ontario, a division of the Okanagan Hockey Group, is dedicated to fostering the long-term development of student-athletes in the classroom, on the ice and in our communities. Our athletes attend Henry Street High School and train, practice, and compete at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre. As a prep school environment, Okanagan Hockey Ontario emphasizes excellence both on and off the ice.
Summary of Responsibilities:
Reporting to General Manager, the Head Coach is responsible for the overall experience of the student-athlete. This includes but is not limited to:
- Development and implementation of all on-ice activities
- Work with other OHO staff on off-ice team activities and training programs
- Develop and implement weekly practice schedules and develop yearly practice plans
- Oversee on-ice practice sessions, develop team tactics and strategies, prepare players for games, manage the bench in game situations, and prepare written and verbal player evaluations
- Transport players as required to and from school, games, etc.
- Oversee the assistant coach and training staff
- Assist, attend and participate in meetings and conferences
- Monitor student-athlete’s academic and personal progress through evaluation and progress reports
- Maintain communication on school academics with school liaison
Qualifications & Requirements:
- Post-secondary degree or diploma or equivalent work/professional development experience.
- Hockey Canada qualifications: High Performance (HP1), Respect in Sport, Gender Equality, CATT and Safety Accreditation
- Strong communication, administrative, organizational and time management skills
- Fiscal responsibility – ability to manage and maintain budgets
- Experience working with youth from 12 – 19 years of age
- Head Coach or relevant experience at the AAA, junior, College or Pro levels
- Experience playing at higher levels is an asset
- Positive, professional and possess strong listening, written and verbal communications skills
- Ability to build positive relationships with your team and their families, as well as your colleagues
- Proactive, organized and prepared with flexibility to adapt your plans as needed, to ensure the needs of your student-athletes and the goals of the organization are being met
- Approachable and supportive (not only to the student-athletes on your team but also to your colleagues)
- Coachable and accepting of guidance from Hockey Operations staff
- Strong computer skills and experience working with Microsoft Office Suite – Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
- Experience with video editing and can pull together player footage – not only for review and coaching purposes but also to help student-athletes looking to move to the next level
- Class G Driver’s License and a current driver’s abstract required at time of employment
- Criminal record check and vulnerable persons check
Application Process
Qualified applicants are invited to submit their cover letter and resume to paulpascuzzi@okanaganhockey.com. Please note that only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.