Youth Program Director & Assistant Rink Manager

Trine University - Fort Wayne; Angola (IN); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Insurance

Paid Vacation and Sick Time

Retirement Benefits

Job summary

Trine University - Fort Wayne is seeking a Youth Program Director to lead and develop Thunder Youth Hockey and Skating programs. This role focuses on teaching life lessons through sports while ensuring high-quality experiences for participants. Responsibilities include managing budgets, recruiting coaches, overseeing rink operations, and promoting skill development.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management or related field, with a minimum of 2 years in youth sports. Competitive salary and a robust benefits package are offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree Required in Sports Management, Education, or related field.
• Minimum of 2 years experience in youth sports programs.
• Strong understanding of youth hockey development models.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement long-term vision for Youth Hockey Programs.
• Assist in the recruitment of volunteer coaches.
• Oversee Learn to Skate programs and coach development.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organization

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management or related field

Tools

Zamboni

Job description

Summary

The Youth Program Director will lead Thunder Youth Hockey and Skating programs, with a focus on teaching life lessons through the game. These programs emphasize teamwork, respect, accountability, and having fun while fostering a positive environment for all participants. The program is built on long-term athlete development, preparing players and coaches to succeed both on the ice and in life. This role also supports daily rink operations and game event management to ensure a safe, organized, and high‑quality experience for all participants and patrons.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Youth Program Director Responsibilities

• Develop and implement long-term vision and objectives for Youth Hockey Programs, working closely with the community, YMCA, and local schools.
• Develop and implement annual revenue and expense budgets for youth programming.
• Assist in the recruitment of volunteer coaches and facilitate participation in the coach selection process.
• Facilitate and participate in coach development within the Youth Hockey Program.
• Ensure the Youth Hockey Program promotes age-appropriate skill development at all levels.
• Assist in the assignment of ice times across all teams and levels within the Youth Hockey Program.
• Assist with the planning, coordination, and coaching of summer hockey camps.
• Oversee Learn to Skate programs, including communication with participants and staff.
• Hire and train work study students to assist in teaching hockey and skating during the school year.
• Direct, manage, implement, and develop ongoing policies and procedures for all youth hockey programming, with emphasis on risk management and safety of all participants and staff.
• Oversee all hockey-related equipment used within the Youth Hockey Program, with an emphasis on safety and quality.
• Direct the planning and execution of marketing efforts for all youth programs.
• Assist the Rink Manager with daily rink operations and overall facility management.
• Open and close the rink as assigned, ensuring proper setup, safety checks, and secure shutdown procedures.
• Operate, or be willing to learn to operate, ice resurfacing equipment (Zamboni).
• Perform, or be willing to learn, skate sharpening and basic equipment maintenance.
• Assist with game operations for youth, high school, ACHA, and NCAA hockey events, including scorekeeping, clock operation, and event setup/breakdown.
• Support supervision of rink staff and part-time employees during assigned shifts.
• Perform duties with limited supervision and make sound independent decisions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree Required:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Education, Recreation, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in ice-related youth sports programs, including hockey and/or skating instruction, or coaching.
• Hockey & Skating Knowledge:
  • Strong understanding of youth hockey development models (e.g., age-appropriate skill progression, long-term athlete development) and basic skating instruction principles.
• Leadership & Program Management Skills:
  • Demonstrated ability to lead programs, manage staff/volunteers, and coordinate multiple schedules and events effectively.
• Operations & Facility Experience (Preferred):
  • Experience with or willingness to learn ice rink operations, including ice resurfacing (Zamboni), skate sharpening, and general facility maintenance.
• Communication & Organizational Skills:
  • Excellent communication, organization, and customer service skills, with the ability to work with athletes, parents, coaches, university staff, and community partners.

Trine University offers a comprehensive benefit package designed to provide a variety of choices to best fit your needs and the needs of your family. Some benefits offered include:

• Life Insurance – a variety of voluntary life options are available along with an employer‑paid employee life policy valued at 1½ times annual salary
• Financial Insurance – employer paid Long Term Disability and voluntary Short‑Term Disability, Accident, Hospital Indemnity, and Critical Illness options are available
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Retirement – after one year of full‑time service you are eligible for an employer contribution of 5% and up to an additional 5% employer match
• Education – after 6 months of full‑time service, undergraduate education benefits are available for employee, spouse, and dependent children

The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Trine University is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, genetic information, citizenship status, military status, or any other basis prohibited by law, unless such basis constitutes a bona fide occupational qualification. Trine will comply with its legal obligation to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and for religious beliefs.