Fairgrounds Public Racket Club - Head Pickleball Professional

Push Operations; Toronto; On-site; CAD 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee benefits

Complimentary Fairgrounds Unlimited

Family membership discount

Sponsorship opportunities

Job summary

Fairgrounds Public Racket Club seeks a Head Pickleball Professional to lead coaching and community initiatives at Fairgrounds Leaside in Toronto. You will design and deliver clubs, clinics and events, while mentoring a coaching team and elevating player experiences across all skill levels.

Responsibilities include programming, events, member engagement and partnerships. The role requires NCCP Level 2 certification, 3–5 years coaching, and a passion for growing pickleball across Canada in a

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience mentoring or managing coaches.
• Strong organizational, communication and event management skills.
• Experience building and growing a pickleball community.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow the pickleball community as the face of Fairgrounds Leaside.
• Develop programming calendars with the GM, run clinics and events.
• Coach through groups, leagues, specialty clinics and high-performance sessions.
• Plan tournaments, engage sponsors, and manage member experiences.
• Oversee scheduling, coach onboarding and invoicing processes.

Skills

Leadership

Community building

Communication

Event management

Education

NCCP Level 2 Certified Pickleball Coach

Tools

PodPlay

Job description

Fairgrounds Public Racket Club - Head Pickleball Professional

• Leaside Toronto, ON
• Full-Time

Job Description

Our Purpose

At Fairgrounds, we believe sport has the power to bring people together. Our Head Pickleball Professional is much more than a coach - they are the face of our pickleball community, an ambassador for the sport, a mentor to our coaching team, and a driving force behind creating exceptional player experiences every day.

This full time role is responsible for developing an energetic, welcoming and inclusive pickleball culture while delivering world-class coaching, innovative programming and unforgettable events. The Head Pickleball Professional plays a key leadership role in growing the Fairgrounds community and helping establish Fairgrounds as Canada's premier destination for pickleball.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Community Building

• Serve as the primary ambassador for pickleball at Fairgrounds Leaside.
• Create a welcoming, high-energy atmosphere that encourages participation, friendships and community.
• Lead by example, demonstrating professionalism, positivity and exceptional customer service.
• Recruit, onboard, mentor and manage the pickleball coaching team.
• Foster a collaborative coaching culture focused on continuous improvement and member experience.
• Represent Fairgrounds within the local pickleball community and act as a champion for the growth of the sport.

Programming & Player Development

• Develop, maintain and continually refine the pickleball programming calendar in collaboration with the General Manager.
• Deliver innovative clinics, lessons, events and player development opportunities for all skill levels.
• Host DUPR rating sessions and new member onboarding experiences.
• Identify opportunities to improve the player journey and increase participation.

Coaching

Provide exceptional coaching through:

• Group clinics
• Leagues
• Introductory programs
• High-performance training
• Community events
• Corporate programs
• Specialty clinics

Maintain the highest coaching standards while creating a fun, encouraging and motivating environment for every player.

Events & Community Engagement

• Assist in the planning and hosting of tournaments, leagues and flagship Fairgrounds events.
• Create memorable player experiences that build excitement and strengthen the Fairgrounds community.
• Support sponsor activations and special events as required.
• Manage pickleball WhatsApp groups and facilitate member matchmaking and community engagement.
• Encourage player participation through regular communication and relationship building.
• Recruit and assist in hiring coaching staff.
• Schedule, mentor and support the coaching team.
• Ensure all coaches maintain professional standards.
• Manage coach availability through PodPlay.
• Approve schedule adjustments when necessary.
• Review and reconcile coach invoicing monthly.
• Provide ongoing coaching education and best-practice sharing.

Operations & Administration

• Enforce coach scheduling requirements and PodPlay availability standards.
• Submit weekly updates, including:
• Wins
• Action items
• Monitor lesson quality and member feedback.
• Ensure programs begin and finish on schedule.
• Support club initiatives and operational excellence.

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will demonstrate a passion for coaching, leadership and community building, along with the following qualifications:

• NCCP Level 2 Certified Pickleball Coach (or an equivalent recognized coaching certification).
• Registered and in good standing with the appropriate provincial and/or national coaching organization.
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of progressive pickleball coaching experience, including private lessons, group instruction, clinics, leagues and player development.
• Proven leadership experience, including mentoring or managing other coaches.
• Demonstrated ability to build and grow an engaged pickleball community.
• Strong organizational, communication and event management skills.
• Experience using scheduling and booking platforms (such as PodPlay) is considered an asset.
• Passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences and creating a welcoming, inclusive environment.
• A commitment to continuous learning and helping grow the sport of pickleball across Canada.
• Employee Benefits
• Complimentary Fairgrounds Unlimited Membership.
• Fairgrounds will actively pursue sponsorship opportunities for the Head Pickleball Professional.
• Immediate family members receive 50% off Fairgrounds memberships.
• Opportunity to help shape the future of pickleball across all Fairgrounds locations in Canada.

Compensation

• Base salary of $30,000 CAD + + coaching OTE nearly 70K
• Coaching revenue earned through lessons, clinics and specialized programming is separate and administered in accordance with Fairgrounds coaching policies.