The New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) seeks a dynamic and outgoing person to be our next full time Youth & Introductory Program Director (Y&IPD). This role is responsible for NENSA’s youth programming including the New England Bill Koch League (BKL) and Festival, the Nordic Rocks school program, and Bill Koch League coach/leader education. This role is also responsible for Women’s XC Ski Day and additional Learn-to-Ski events and opportunities. The Y&IPD co-shares responsibility for Eastern U16 and High School Championships and all summer rollerski programming. An ideal candidate will be familiar with NENSA and the Northeast ski community, incredibly self-motivated, and able to work independently from home. This role requires strong, inspired leadership with a synergetic spirit to galvanize and work with our ski community. This position is highly collaborative and will work closely with many community stakeholders including venues, event organizers, clubs, school teachers, sponsors, donors, and the NENSA staff team. The Youth & Introductory Program Director is an empowered position requiring energy, vision, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask in advancing NENSA’s youth and introductory programs.
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Establish NENSA as the go-to resource for youth and introductory skiing information, events, and resources in the Northeast.
- Provide leadership, education, instruction and guidance to Bill Koch League (BKL) District Chairs, coaches, club leaders, event organizers, parent/caregivers, and athletes.
- Chair and work closely with the BKL and Junior Development Committees to facilitate communication and support member youth ski clubs and the state team leaders/coaches involved with Eastern U16 and High School Championships.
- Support member clubs and their parent/caregivers, coaches, and leaders in building an inclusive community through club visits, workshops, and coach/leader trainings.
- Manage all aspects of NENSA’s youth programs and events including the Bill Koch League, the Bill Koch Festival, the Nordic Rocks school program, youth learn-to-rollerski clinics and offerings, and the virtual XC Ski Bingo game.
- Oversee and coordinate all aspects of Women’s XC Ski Day including chairing the Women’s Day committee.
- Grow and manage accessible and inclusive community-based learn-to-ski opportunities and maintain and develop collaborative connections with organizations doing similar work.
- Alongside the Events Coordinator, coordinate and organize Eastern U16 Championships and Eastern High School Championships.
- Collaborate with the Competitive Program Director on coach education initiatives.
- Work with the Competitive Program Director to organize and run all NENSA summer programming including rollerski races, clinics, coaches education, and camps.
- Manage all youth and introductory community communications via email, social media, and regular newsletters as well as maintaining the youth and introductory program sections of the NENSA website.
- Track and manage all youth and introductory program and event data.
- Collaborate on additional community building programs, events, and projects as part of the NENSA staff team.
Additional key priorities, including but not limited to, the following:
- Assist the Executive Director with writing grant applications pertaining directly to youth programming.
- Assist the Executive Director with fundraising initiatives including the annual fund drive and auction.
- Branding and marketing through creating event posters, branded apparel, postcards, stickers, and other promotional items and marketing materials.
- Serve on ad-hoc committees as necessary.
- Complete US Ski & Snowboard L100 Coach Certification or higher (which includes SafeSport certification and background checks) by start date or as soon as possible following start date.
- Track and share relevant news and updates via the website, social media, and youth newsletter.
- Other duties as assigned as part of the NENSA staff team.
Qualifications:
- Passion for the sport of cross country skiing and the ideals of the NENSA mission.
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Familiarity with the ski community in the Northeast.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Docs Editors, WordPress, Constant Contact, and NEON (will train).
- Savvy social media user with demonstrated ability to effectively use Facebook and Instagram. Videography skills preferred but not required.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a fast paced, multidisciplinary team environment.
- Rollerski experience preferred.
- Must be eligible to work in the USA.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and vehicle.
- Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.
- Space to store a carload of NENSA gear and equipment.
Conditions: This is a remote position that requires the ability to work and communicate regularly and effectively from a remote home office. Frequent and extensive regional travel in and around the northeast is required. Some work takes place outdoors in variable and sometimes extreme conditions. Must be able to work weekends and evenings aligning with NENSA and community needs.
The Youth & Introductory Program Director is a full time salaried position. Salary for this full time position is $40k – $45k commensurate with experience. Benefits include paid vacation, a health care stipend contribution, a matching IRA fund, and travel expenses. This position reports to the Executive Director. Start date is negotiable, but we seek to fill this role as soon as possible. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume, and three references no later than May 6, 2023 to Heidi Lange, Executive Director via email at heidi@nensa.net.
