This competition is open to all applicants however; internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.

While this position welcomes applications from individuals external to the university, current Academic Teaching Staff are first notified of available positions and will receive first consideration in accordance with the terms of the Academic Teaching Staff Agreement before considering external candidates for positions with a term 8 months or longer. Please login to verify your internal candidate status.

This is a Term position with an end date of June 30, 2027.

**Location -**This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

Golden Bears & Pandas Athletics provides a comprehensive Athletics program worthy of a large, highly ranked, research institution in Canada. Golden Bears & Pandas Athletics provide an impactful and meaningful experience in 12 different sports and 22 varsity teams for over 500 student-athletes across campus and academic disciplines each year.

In addition to the opportunities provided to student-athletes directly, Athletics is a multi-faceted organization, delivering equitable, diverse and inclusive services designed to impact important aspects of the University community and the community-at-large, including, but not limited to:

• domestic and international student recruitment
• enhancing the student experience
• campus community building
• university brand enhancement
• broad community engagement
• work-integrated learning

Athletics is searching for a Head Coach capable of leading and sustaining a high-performance hockey program, who has the ability to attract and retain the best hockey student-athletes in Canada. The successful candidate has the leadership skills required to deliver a program with a rich history and tradition to a championship-winning program in Canada West and USPORTS competition.

Reporting to the Director of Athletics, the Head Coach will be responsible for all duties associated with the successful operation of a highly competitive university hockey program, inclusive of activities related to coaching, teaching/mentorship, and service.

The Head Coach of the University of Alberta Pandas Hockey program is responsible for creating a team culture that reflects Athletics’ values, including the holistic development of the student-athletes (e.g., academics, well-being), engagement of alumni, and a program that positively contributes to the greater community.

Coaching will involve traditional coaching duties, but will also include program planning, development and logistics, technical research and development, financial management, generation and stewardship of annual revenues, sport development inclusive Pandas Hockey programming and summer sport camps and alumni development, recruitment and retention of top-level student-athletes, public relations and communications, athlete evaluation, and the supervision and/or mentorship of assistant and developing coaches. In addition, the Head Coach must at all times ensure compliance with Canada West Regional Association and USPORTS rules and regulations.

Service responsibilities include the provision of service to the coaching community, particularly at the University of Alberta, Canada West and USPORTS level and as required to Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada. They also include participation in the governance of the University, being a contributing member of the greater Student Success and Experience, Athletics communities, and dissemination of knowledge to the hockey community by making available the coach’s expertise and knowledge.

Student Success and Experience (formerly Office of the Dean of Students) holds student support at the heart of everything we do. We provide services focused on student well-being and flourishing both in the classroom and beyond. We offer a wide range of services, including career guidance, health and wellness resources, academic support, and assistance for students facing unexpected challenges or personal difficulties. We also work closely with faculty and staff across campus to ensure students receive coordinated support when they need it most.unexpected challenges or personal difficulties. We also work closely with faculty and staff across campus to ensure students receive coordinated support when they need it most.

Head Coaching Responsibilities

• Create practice and competitive schedule for the team
• Booking of required facilities
• Ensure travel, accommodations, and per diem are handled through the appropriate University staff
• Handle day-to-day team operations as necessary
• Financial management of the program
• Preparation of seasonal plan, including off-season training/competition
• Selection and direction of assistant coaches
• Attend Canada West and U SPORTS coaches meetings
• Create/implement strategies for alumni development
• Handle administrative requirements for eligibility, awards and scholarships, CCES seminar, and learning resource seminars in cooperation with the Associate Director of Athletics
• Recruit throughout the province, country and internationally as required
• Liaise with the Associate Director re: new equipment and facility upgrades
• Act as liaison with appropriate clubs, provincial and national sport associations
• Fundraising, including Support the Sport, casinos, bingos, dinners, etc.
• Involvement in Sports Camps, including Summer camps where appropriate
• Build the brand for the sport through social media, traditional media, public appearances, etc.

Service Responsibilities

Service contributions through one or more of the following:

• Contributions to the Profession

  • U SPORTS and Canada West coaches committee participation
  • Contributions to coaching development, including:
    • Mentorship
    • National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP)
    • Clinics and Workshops
    • International, National and Provincial Sport Involvement
    • Writing, Publishing, and Speaking Appearances

• Contributions to Athletics, Student Success & Experience, and the University of Alberta

  • Involvement in Standing and Ad/Hoc Committees
  • Involvement in Coach/Staff Members Committees
  • Administrative Responsibilities
  • Teaching Contributions (mentorship, academic courses, MCoach supervision, practicum)
  • Support to Research Projects

• Bachelor's Degree required

• Master's, MFA, or PhD Degree preferred

• NCCP Competition High Performance 1 (Comp-HP1) preferred

• Demonstrates currency and competency in the discipline or profession

• Maintains registration and is in good standing with their Professional body (if required)

• Recent experience, minimum of three (3) years, in University or professional-level coaching

• Demonstrates currency and competency in the profession of coaching

• Maintains registration and is in good standing with their professional body (e.g. National Coaching Certification Program and/or Coaches of Canada)

• Ability to employ varied coaching strategies

• Ability to design or select and administer effective assessments

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt communication style and to collaborate with colleagues

• Critical thinking and organizational ability

• Facilitation, negotiation and problem-solving skills and an ability to handle challenging student situations

• Technically proficient in the computer environment, with working knowledge of various applications

Application Instructions

Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume and cover letter.

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package*. Salary will be commensurate with experience in accordance with* Schedule D of the Collective Agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.