Fairgrounds Racket Club - Head Pickleball Professional, Markham ON

Fairgrounds; Toronto; On-site; CAD 20,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Complimentary Fairgrounds Unlimited -

Immediate family 50% membership off

Sponsorship opportunities for HeadPick

Job summary

Fairgrounds is seeking a Head Pickleball Professional in Canada to lead coaching and community growth at our new Markham location. You will drive energetic programming, host events, and mentor a growing coaching team, building a welcoming and inclusive culture for players of all levels.

The role emphasizes leadership, exceptional coaching, partnership with the GM, and ongoing development of club experiences across Canada.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Strong organizational, communication and event management skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary ambassador for pickleball at Fairgrounds Markham, creating a welcoming, high-energy atmosphere.
• Develop and refine the programming calendar in collaboration with the GM, delivering clinics, events and player development opportunities.
• Coach players across private, semi-private, group clinics, leagues and introductory programs with high standards of coaching.
• Plan and host tournaments, leagues and flagship events; manage sponsor activations and community engagement.
• Recruit, onboard and mentor coaching staff; schedule, monitor PodPlay availability and reconcile invoicing.

Skills

Leadership

Community building

Coaching

Scheduling platforms

Customer service

Education

NCCP Level 2 Certified Pickleball Coach

Registered with coaching organization

Tools

PodPlay

Job description

Our Purpose

At Fairgrounds, we believe sport has the power to bring people together. Our

Our Purpose

At Fairgrounds, we believe sport has the power to bring people together. 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. Alongside the General Manager, you will help open and grow the Fairgrounds brand in our upcoming location in Markham, ON. 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 our upcoming location - Fairgrounds Markham
• 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

• Private lessons
• Semi-private lessons
• 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.

Coach Management

• 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
• Challenges
• 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.
• 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 $20,000 CAD + + coaching OTE 70K
• Coaching revenue earned through lessons, clinics and specialized programming is separate and administered in accordance with Fairgrounds coaching policies.