Head Rowing Coach

Recovery on Water (ROW); Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Recovery on Water (ROW) in Chicago seeks a Head Rowing Coach to lead practices, design seasonal and weekly training plans, and manage assistant coaches, coxswains, and volunteers. The role emphasizes safety, empathy for adult breast cancer survivors, and delivering a high-quality rowing experience.

You will coordinate program development with the Programs Manager, recruit and schedule coaches, and communicate with athletes to set goals and assess progress, while maintaining equipment and

Qualifications

• Minimum one year of coaching a competitive or community rowing program.
• USRowing Level 2 certification or willingness to acquire within six months of hiring.
• Valid driver’s license and comfort driving in the city; travel as needed.
• Passion for Recovery on Water’s mission and empathy for survivors.
• Ability to communicate with adults of varying ages and abilities.
• Experience coaching or volunteering with adult programs is a plus.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides).

Responsibilities

• Direct 8+ practices on the water weekly, serving up to 40 adult rowers.
• Manage logistics for 2-3 local and 1-2 travel regattas annually.
• Create seasonal and weekly training plans year-round that support goals.
• Maintain ROW fleet of boats and equipment.
• Direct and support all contract coaches and coxswains.
• Solicit and manage athlete feedback and communication.
• Attend weekly staff meetings and contribute to planning.
• Recruit, train, retain, and schedule coaches and coxswains with Programs Manager.

Skills

Coaching

Communication

Logistics planning

Team leadership

Google Workspace

Education

USRowing Level 2 Coach Certification

Job description

The Head Rowing Coach is responsible for the coaching and logistics of all rowing practices, creating seasonal and weekly training plans, and managing assistant coaches, coxswains and practice volunteers. The Head Coach manages practice and seasonal communication with our program athletes, to inform, teach, set goals and evaluate progress. In collaboration with the Programs Manager the Head Coach contributes to program development, delivery, quality control, and evaluation, to ensure ROW programs are safe and successful.

Because of the nature of our mission, this position is first and foremost about being able to communicate and empathize with adult patients and survivors of breast cancer. This position requires a high sense of emotional intelligence and the ability to work with novice and experienced rowers, while also giving them a good rowing experience.

Responsibilities

• Direct 8+ practices on the water weekly, serving up to 40 adult rowers each
• Manage logistics for 2-3 local and 1-2 travel regattas annually
• Create seasonal and weekly training plans year-round that support program goals
• Maintain ROW fleet of boats and associated rowing equipment
• Direct and support all contract coaches and coxswains
• Solicit and manage athlete feedback and communication
• Engage in professional development and related training when necessary
• Attend weekly staff meetings and contribute to ongoing planning
• Work with the Programs Manager to recruit, train, retain, and schedule contract and volunteer coaches and coxswains

Qualifications

• Minimum one (1) year of coaching a competitive or community rowing program
• USRowing Level 2 Coach Certification, or willingness to acquire withing six (6) months of hiring
• Valid driver’s license and comfort driving in the city. Experience trailering a definite plus.
• Passion for Recovery on Water’s mission
• Self-reliant, good problem solver, results oriented
• Ability to communicate at a high level and build relationships with adults of varying ages, backgrounds, and abilities
• Ability to learn or familiarize themselves with the symptoms, treatments, and side effects of all types of breast cancer
• Experience working or volunteering with programs (rowing or otherwise) for adults of varying abilities and skill levels
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, including Gmail, Docs, Sheets and Slides