Head Coach, Pandas Soccer

This competition is open to all applicants; however, internal applicants will be given priority consideration based on minimum qualifications, or a combination of experience, skills, and abilities before external applicants are considered.

This position has an end date of June 30, 2028. 

Location - This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Campus Saint-Jean, and South 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 soccer program, who has the ability to attract and retain the best soccer 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 and sustainable university soccer program.

The Head Coach of the University of Alberta Pandas Soccer 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, which include program planning, logistics, financial management, recruitment and retention of top-level student-athletes, athlete evaluation and the supervision and/or mentorship of assistant and developing coaches. The role also includes generation and stewardship of annual revenues (i.e., team-level fundraising), youth and sport development, strong alumni relations, and positive community and media relationships. In addition, the Head Coach must at all times ensure compliance with Canada West 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 Alberta Soccer and Soccer 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 soccer community by making available the coach’s expertise and knowledge.

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 Pandas alumni and 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; and
  • 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 committee; and
• Administrative responsibilities
• Teaching contributions (mentorship, academic courses, MCoach supervision, practicum)
• Support to research projects

• Canada Soccer C Diploma required
• Canada Soccer B Diploma (or in progress) preferred
• Bachelor's Degree preferred
• Master's, MFA, or PhD Degree 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. 
 

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.