Director of Grassroots Tennis/Coach
Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program, New York, NY, United States
Director of Grassroots / Tennis Coach
Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program (HJTEP) is seeking a dynamic and organized Director of Grassroots / Tennis Coach to join our team at the Armory. This role is pivotal in shaping the foundational skills of our youngest athletes while contributing to the high-performance culture of our \"Landmark Facility.\" The ideal candidate has a passion for youth development and a proven track record of coaching success.
Position Overview
- Status: Part-Time
- School Year Hours: Monday – Friday (10:00 AM – 8:00 PM) | Saturday (11:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
- Summer Camp Hours: Monday – Friday (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
- Primary Focus: Grassroots 1 & 2, Futures, and Intermediate skill levels (ages 5–18).
Job Summary
As the Director of Grassroots, you will be the architectural lead for our foundational programs. You will organize all Grassroots classes, provide comprehensive weekly lesson plans to your coaching staff, and define clear progression stages to ensure optimum skill learning for every student. Beyond administrative leadership, you will provide high-quality on‑court instruction to players across various levels who are moving through the HJTEP pathway.
Key Responsibilities
- Curriculum Leadership: Develop detailed weekly lesson plans for the Grassroots division and lead regular briefing meetings with your coaching staff.
- Technical Instruction: Demonstrate advanced techniques, teach tactical awareness, and instruct players on proper biomechanical form.
- Collaborative Coaching: Work seamlessly with the broader coaching team to maintain program standards and a unified training philosophy.
- Player Assessment: Systematically assess player skills, strengths, and weaknesses; provide actionable feedback and performance assessments to facilitate growth.
- Mental & Physical Prep: Help athletes prepare for the rigors of competition and tournament play where applicable.
- Facility Stewardship: Maintain the tennis courts and equipment to the highest standards and ensure a safe, positive learning environment for all players.
- Class Organization: Maximize on‑court time through efficient organization and proactive class management.
Requirements
- Experience: Proven track record as a successful Tennis Coach with experience in youth development.
- Knowledge: Deep understanding of modern tennis coaching techniques, strategies, and the USTA Red Ball curriculum with consistent coaching education elevation.
- Soft Skills: Strong communication, interpersonal, and motivational skills; ability to inspire young athletes.
- Organizational Skills: Exceptional time management and the ability to organize staff and lesson schedules effectively.
- Certifications:
- Certification from a recognized organization (USTA Coaching, PTR, or RSPA) (Required).
- Safe Sport Certified (Required).
- First Aid/CPR/AED Certification (Preferred).
- Flexibility: Availability to work days, evenings and weekends as scheduled.