Head Coach, Flames

Variety Village; Toronto; On-site; CAD 41,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

Variety Village in Toronto is seeking a Head Coach, Flames on a part-time, on-site contract. The role focuses on leadership, athlete development, and program excellence for the Flames Swim Team, with 9 hours weekly and responsibilities including coaching and overseeing pathways.

The candidate will mentor staff, plan training groups, manage competition logistics, and collaborate with aquatics staff to strengthen transitions from lessons to team programming.

Qualifications

• CPR, First Aid and AED certifications current.
• Experience coaching across abilities including para athletes.
• Proven leadership, communication and organizational skills.
• Experience mentoring other coaches.
• Knowledge of athlete development pathways in swimming.
• Commitment to inclusive, athlete-centered coaching.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Flames Swim Team program across training levels and groups.
• Oversee athlete development in pre-competitive, competitive and para pathways.
• Establish progression pathways, benchmarks and group structures.
• Monitor athlete development, performance and engagement.
• Foster a safe, inclusive, athlete-centred environment.
• Lead and mentor coaching staff and volunteers.
• Provide feedback, evaluation and professional development for coaches.
• Help plan program delivery and athlete management.
• Coordinate regular coaching meetings and uphold coaching standards.
• Support competition planning and meet participation.

Skills

CPR/First Aid/AED

Athlete development

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Mentoring

Para/Special Olympics experience

Education

NCCP Level 1 (Level 2 or higher preferred)

Tools

HyTek

Team Unify

Job description

Key Details:

Job Title: Head Coach, Flames

Type: Part-Time, Contract. September 2026 – June 2027

Hours: 9 hours per week plus administrationand competitions.

Location: 3701 Danforth Avenue, Scarborough, ON M1N 2G2. This is a fully on-site position.

Rate: $30.00 to$34.50 per hour (based on experience andqualifications).

Deadline: Submission of cover letter and resume are due no later than August 28th,2026.

Reports to: Manager, Programs

Vacancy: This is aposition to be filled.

AI Disclosure: Variety doesnot use artificial intelligence or automated tools to screen, assess, or makehiring decisions. All applications are reviewed by our hiring team.

Variety is committed to building an inclusive workplace that embracesdiversity, values differences, and supports the full participation of allemployees. We welcome applications from those who are passionate aboutcontributing to a workplace culture where everyone feels valued and included.We welcome applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenouspersons, persons with disabilities, 2S & LGBTQIA+ persons, and anyone whocan add to the diversity of our team.

About Us:

VARIETY GROUP OFCOMPANIES OVERVIEW

There are threecompanies that make up the Variety Group of Companies (Variety):

• Variety - theChildren’s Charity (Ontario)

• Variety Village

• Variety Club ofOntario – Tent 28

Variety- the Children’s Charity (Ontario) supports programming for children with adisability at Variety Village and throughout the province. Variety programmingis inclusive and powered by sport, transforming the lives of individuals andfamilies, while creating more inclusive communities across Ontario.

Variety-the Children’s Charity (Ontario) is funded through individual donors,corporate sponsorship, fundraising activities, federal and provincialgovernments, and foundations.

Variety - the Children'sCharity (Ontario) is part of an international charity that has been inoperation since 1928. The charity began in Pittsburgh and spread throughout theUnited States. The chapter in Ontario was the first chapter outside the UnitedStates and is now one of the 5 Variety Chapters in Canada. It was founded in1945, and the original mission of the charity was to build a school for boyswith a disability who could not receive an education in the mainstream schoolsystem. The school was called Variety Village.

VarietyVillage operated as a school until it became a centre of para-sport excellence.

Sincethe 1970s, Variety athletes and coaches have represented Canada at every summerParalympic games. Currently, Variety Village is a 170,000 square foot facilityand operates as a fitness centre for the general community as well as offeringprograms, training and camps for children of all ages and abilities.

Vision Statement:

“A Welcoming Community and World-Renowned Facility that Empowers All.”

Mission Statement:

“As a Charity, we embrace a people first philosophy, prioritizinginclusivity and support for all. Our Mission is to empower individuals toconnect, thrive, and achieve their personal bests.”

Values:

Inclusivity: We host events, deliverprograms, and create programs for all.

Respect: Wefoster a culture of mutual and equal respect.

Trust: Wecreate a safe and trustworthy environment for active participation and are atrusted source of expertise.

Empowerment: Wefacilitate personal growth and development.

The Opportunity:

The Head Coach, Flames is responsiblefor the overall leadership, development, and quality of the Flames swim teamprogramming at Variety Village. The role focuses on athlete development, coachleadership, and program excellence while fostering a positive, inclusive, andathlete-centred environment.

The Head Coach will directly coach oneor more training groups while overseeing program design and delivery across allteams. A key focus of this role is strengthening the pathway from swimminglessons into swim team programming, ensuring clear, inclusive progressionopportunities for athletes of all abilities and goals.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

ProgramLeadership & Athlete Development

• Lead the design and implementation of a cohesive, progressive Flames Swim Team program across all training levels and groups.
• Oversee athlete development across pre-competitive,competitive, and para swimming pathways within the Flames Swim Team.
• Establish clear progression pathways, benchmarks,and appropriate training group structures.
• Monitor athlete development, performance, andengagement throughout the Flames Swim Team.
• Foster a safe, inclusive, and athlete-centredenvironment that supports both development and enjoyment.

CoachLeadership & Mentorship

• Lead, mentor, and support the Flames coaching teamand volunteers.
• Provide regular feedback, evaluation,
• and professional development opportunities forcoaching staff.
• Support coaches in planning, program delivery, andathlete management.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability forcoaching standards and athlete experience.
• Lead regular coaching meetings and contribute to acollaborative team culture.

Coaching

• Directly coach one or more Flames Swim Teamtraining groups.
• Provide on-deck support and guidance to coachesthrough observation and feedback.
• Model best practices in inclusive andathlete-centred coaching.

Competition& Planning

• Oversee competition planning for the Flames SwimTeam.
• Support athlete and coach preparation forappropriate competitive opportunities.
• Coordinate meet participation, entries, andcommunication with families.

PathwayDevelopment & Collaboration

• Collaborate with aquatics and swim lesson teams tostrengthen the transition from swimming lessons into Flames Swim Teamprogramming.
• Support athlete identification, assessments, andplacements within appropriate training groups.
• Contribute to program growth through athleteretention and recruitment initiatives.

Administration & Operations

• Supportprogram planning, scheduling, and communication.
• Maintainathlete tracking, records, and program data.
• Collaboratewith Variety Village staff on strategic planning and program development.
• Provideinput on coach hiring, onboarding, and performance management.

Community & Culture

• Buildstrong relationships with athletes, families, and the broader community.
• RepresentVariety Village within the swimming community.
• Promotea culture of inclusion, respect, accountability, and lifelongparticipation in sport.

Safety & Professional Development

• Ensuresafety and Safe Sport principles are upheld at all times.
• Participatein staff training and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications:

• Current CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications.
• NCCP Level 1 (Level 2 or higher preferred).
• Experience coaching swimmers across a range of abilities,including para and/or Special Olympics athletes.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring or leading other coaches.
• Strong understanding of athlete development pathways in swimming.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Experience with swim software (e.g., HyTek, Team Unify) consideredan asset.
• Commitment to inclusive, athlete-centered coaching anddevelopment.