Head of Skating

F

FIGURE SKATING IN HARLEM, INC.

Head of Skating

New York, NY
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Position Summary: The Head of Skating leads the on-ice experience at Figure Skating in Harlem, ensuring high-quality instruction, strong coach performance, student safety, and a positive, empowering environment for every student.

    This role is responsible for coaching standards, student development, coach supervision, testing readiness, performance outcomes, synchronized skating, and the annual ice show. The Head of Skating leads people and delivers the student experience on the ice.

    The Head of Skating and Skating Operations Manager are peer roles reporting to the VP of Programming & Student Affairs. The Head of Skating owns coaching quality, coach effectiveness, student placement/readiness, and on-ice execution; the Skating Operations Manager owns the systems, schedules, data, equipment, and logistics that make the program run.

    Core Responsibilities

    1. Coach Leadership & Management

    • Supervise, support, and develop a team of approximately 15 coaches.
    • Set and uphold coaching standards, instructional quality, student engagement expectations, and rink protocols across all programs.
    • Conduct regular on-ice observation, feedback, and coach evaluations.
    • Lead coach meetings, pre-session huddles, debriefs, and professional development.
    • Make recommendations on coach hiring, retention, assignments, and performance concerns in partnership with the VP of Programming & Student Affairs.

    2. On-Ice Program Execution

    • Serve as the visible on-site leader during skating sessions, ensuring structure, safety, pace, and flow.
    • Assess student skill levels and coach strengths to recommend appropriate groups and coaching assignments.
    • Ensure curriculum is delivered consistently and appropriately across levels.
    • Troubleshoot on-ice issues in real time and escalate operational or student concerns as needed.
    • Maintain high expectations while creating an encouraging, youth-centered rink culture.

    3. Student Development, Testing & Quality Control

    • Oversee skating skill assessment, testing readiness, and advancement recommendations in alignment with Learn to Skate USA / U.S. Figure Skating standards.
    • Partner with the Skating Operations Manager to ensure testing schedules, records, and advancement data are accurate and timely.
    • Monitor student progress across levels and identify gaps in instruction or advancement.
    • Intervene when students, groups, or coaches need additional support.

    4. Performance Teams & Advanced Skating

    • Oversee synchronized skating and performance teams, including technical standards, student readiness, and competition/performance preparation.
    • Coordinate choreography expectations and rehearsal quality with coaches/choreographers in collaboration with the Creative Skating Consultant.
    • Ensure strong technical, artistic, teamwork, and leadership development across teams.

    5. Ice Show

    • Lead the skating quality and student readiness components of the annual ice show by supporting the Creating Skating Consultant.
    • Collaborate with the Skating Operations Manager and Creative Skating Consultant on rehearsal schedules, run-of-show logistics, and coach assignments.
    • Ensure safe traffic patterns, clear coach responsibilities, and student readiness for all performances.

    6. Student & Family Experience - Skating Specific

    • Serve as the lead voice on skating-related student progress, readiness, advancement, and performance team expectations.
    • Partner with the VP of Programming & Student Affairs on parent communications involving student concerns, placement, advancement, behavior, or sensitive issues.
    • Provide skating-specific input for family-facing communications; the VP of Programming & Student Affairs remains the primary owner of overall family communication.

    Head of Skating Owns

    • Coaching quality, coach performance, and on-ice supervision.
    • Student experience and safety on the ice.
    • Student placement/readiness recommendations and skill gap interventions.
    • Performance team quality, synchro readiness, and ice show skating quality.
    • Final skating-quality input on which coach is best suited for which group or skill level.

    Qualifications

    • Minimum 3-5 years of figure skating coaching experience, with demonstrated ability to coach skaters across multiple levels.
    • Competitive skating background and/or formal coach certification preferred; U.S. Figure Skating, Learn to Skate USA, or PSA credentials strongly preferred.
    • Proven experience managing, supervising, or mentoring coaches/instructors.
    • Strong knowledge of figure skating curriculum, skill progression, and Learn to Skate USA / U.S. Figure Skating testing structures.
    • Experience with synchronized skating, ice shows, and/or performance teams.
    • Excellent communication skills and high emotional intelligence with students, families, coaches, and staff.
    • Commitment to youth development, equity, and inclusive programming.
    • Ability to work evenings and weekends as required by the skating season.
    • CPR/First Aid certification required or willingness to obtain upon hire.

    Candidate Profile

    • Strong skating leader with credibility among coaches and students.
    • Visible, steady on-site presence who can manage real-time rink dynamics.
    • Balances discipline, warmth, accountability, and encouragement.
    • Comfortable leading adults while remaining deeply student-centered. Collaborative partner who can work effectively wit