Skate Canada

Position: High-Performance Director

Type: Full-time permanent, 35 hours per week

Reports to: Chief Sport Officer

Location: This position can be based out of our head office in Ottawa, Ontario, with a hybrid work model available for candidates residing in the Ottawa area. For candidates located outside of Ottawa, the role may be performed remotely, provided the successful candidate resides in a city with access to a major airport to accommodate frequent travel requirements.

Travel: The role requires extensive travel domestically and worldwide.

Application Details: We will review applications on a rolling basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply early.

Salary Grade: 6
Salary Range: MIN $105,880 to MID $132,350 to MAX $158,820*

*Skate Canada is committed to equitable and competitive compensation. We welcome applications from candidates with a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience. Final salary placement within this range will be based on the successful candidate's knowledge, skills, experience, and the needs of the role, while ensuring internal equity and consistency across the organization. We encourage candidates who are excited about this opportunity to apply, even if they do not meet every qualification listed.

WHO WE ARE.

A not-for-profit organization, Skate Canada is the oldest and largest figure skating organization in the world and is recognized by the Government of Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) as the governing body for the sport of figure skating in Canada. Skate Canada is committed to attracting, developing and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve.

OUR PEOPLE SHAPE OUR SUCCESS.

At Skate Canada, we're not just about skating-we're about creating a vibrant, inclusive community where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to thrive. As an equal opportunity employer, we celebrate diversity and warmly invite all qualified applicants to join our journey.

ABOUT THE JOB.

Reporting to the Chief Sport Officer, the High-Performance Director (HPD) is a member of the Senior Leadership Team and leads the High-Performance programming; programming that enables podium performances on the world stage in line with Skate Canada's strategy, vision, and values. The HPD is part of the Performance Excellence department and is well supported by PE staff.

The HPD is responsible for the development and management of the Train to Win stage of the Podium Pathway, including the implementation of the strategic direction of the High-Performance programing including leadership, planning, and management of the National Team, management of relationships with sport funding and performance partners, as well as people development, budgeting and administration. This is a full-time position that requires frequent travel domestically and worldwide.

LOCATION.

This position can be based out of the Skate Canada office in Ottawa, ON at 333 Preston St, where we offer a hybrid work model. However, due to the extensive travel requirements of this role, we are open to candidates working remotely, provided they reside within reasonable proximity to a major airport to support frequent travel needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES.

1. Manage all aspects of Skate Canada's High-Performance Programming andTrain to Win/Podium Pathway LTD stage, including but not limited to:

1. Oversee the management and delivery of international competition participation (including the Olympic Winter Games) - including but not limited to athlete and officials' selection, travel logistics, post event reporting;
2. Oversee the design and delivery of all High-Performance training camps and the athlete sport monitoring program, with input as required;
3. Working closely with the Integrated Support Team (IST) leads to oversee the planning and implementation of all Sport Science and Sport Medicine (SSSM) testing and monitoring;
4. Plans and oversees the implementation of the High-Performance budget which includes athlete funding in accordance with associated Skate Canada and OTP guidelines and agreements;
5. Oversee the compliance of Podium Pathway High-Performance programming and its participants with Skate Canada and ISU rules and regulations;
6. Implement and manage all risk mitigation strategies related to members of our National Team;
7. Utilizes data and demonstrates analytics competency to make evidence-based decisions that informs High-Performance strategic programming;
8. Act as the primary liaison between members of the National Team and Skate Canada.

2. Provide leadership and direction to the Skate Canada Performance Excellence Department and relationships with Canadian Sport Organizations and the ISU:

1. Lead the working relationship with Own the Podium's High-Performance Advisor for High-Performance programming;
2. Act as the lead to the ISU Grand Prix selection committee, maintaining relationships with key ISU individuals to benefit current and long-term High-Performance programming;
3. Provide input into the strategic and operational planning of the organization, in particular as related to the Skating to Win aspirations of the organization;
4. Act as the primary interface with the Canadian Sport Institutes;
5. Work closely with the NextGen Senior Manager to ensure optimal coach and athlete transitions in the Podium Pathway from NextGen to High-Performance Programming;
6. Fulfil duties as the staff lead, as assigned by the CEO, to Operational Committees within the portfolio;
7. Provide input to other functional areas of the organization which interact with athletes and coaches in Skate Canada's High-Performance programming, i.e. Communications, Marketing, Safe Sport, etc.
8. Manage and develop the direct report of the NextGen Senior Manager.

3. Budgeting and administration; develops revenue and expense budget for High-Performance programming:

1. Ensures the HP budget submission reflects the Association's objectives and initiates corrective actions as necessary;
2. Develop yearly work plan for High-Performance programming outlining clear goals and objectives/KPI's;
3. Manage the completion of all required sport funding applications and all reporting/accountability requirements (including Sport Canada, OTP, etc.) as related to High-Performance programming.

4. Culture and people development: build a team approach and maintain positive and effective working relationships with key stakeholders, in particular:

1. Train to Win identified Senior athletes and National Team members and their coaching teams;
2. SSSM leadership team;
3. Chair and members of the Operational Committees within the responsibilities of the position;
4. Funding and delivery partners, in particular the Canadian Olympic Committee and Own the Podium;
5. Section Technical leadership as appropriate.

5. Perform the duties stated as a responsible employee of the Association observing and supporting all policies and procedures as set by the Board of Directors and observing all policies and requirements as outlined by Skate Canada.

6. Perform additional duties as required by the Chief Sport Officer and to support the achievement of Skate Canada's objectives.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Displays a solid sense of direction and purpose aligned with the vision, guiding principles and goals of Skate Canada;
• Displays the ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and behaves in an honest, trustworthy manner maintaining consistency in words, actions, and honoring commitments;
• Ability to build and engage a team;
• Demonstrates self-awareness, ensures accountability, and able to manage conflict;
• Displays a passion for the sport and a comprehensive understanding of all stages of the Long Term Development Framework and the role of coaches, officials, and volunteers in the development of skating and skaters;
• Continually makes efforts to understand member and stakeholder needs in an inclusive and adaptable manner;
• Displays excellence and inspires excellence in others, ensuring quality, accuracy, and raising the standards for delivery.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, AND KEY SKILLS.

• Undergraduate degree in sport management, education, or demonstrated equivalent experience and development.
• Minimum seven to ten years' progressive experience in high-performance sport, athlete development, program/team management and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience as a skater and/or coach at the International level.
• Understanding of the Canadian sport system and the roles of the key stakeholders of Sport Canada, Own The Podium, and the Canadian Olympic Committee.
• Skills and knowledge specific to developing and delivering the Own the Podium funding.
• Skills and knowledge of the MS Office Suite is required.
• Familiarity and knowledge of Skate Canada Core Programs.
• Ability to coach, guide, and handle difficult situations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent skills in organizational management with the ability to coach staff, manage and develop a team; set and achieve objectives, and manage a budget.
• Excellent coalition building skills with an ability to communicate and work effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Passion, idealism, integrity, positive attitude, and self-directed.
• Experience working with volunteers is an asset.
• Possesses a high standard of professional integrity with the ability to handle sensitive information in a professional and confidential manner.
• Olympic Games experience (coach, athlete, support staff) is considered an asset.
• Must hold a valid passport to accommodate international travel.
• Possession of a valid driver's license is required.
• Fluency in English is required, fluency in French is considered an asset.

ADDITIONAL JOB REQUIREMENTS.

• Additional travel for the purposes of meetings and events.
• Ability to work overtime as required to meet the fluctuating needs in a timely manner.

Please note: The successful candidate will be required to undergo a criminal background check as a condition of employment.

COMMITMENT.

This is a full-time, permanent position.

COMPENSATION.

• The salary range for this position is MIN $105,880 to MID $132,350 to MAX $158,820 annually, with a comprehensive benefits package available.
• Health, Vision, Dental, LTD, STD and Life Insurance (employee premiums covered by Skate Canada; family dental coverage is optional and available at employee expense).
• RRSP matching.
• Fitness benefit - $350 annually.
• Paid volunteer time - 4 hours monthly.

TIMELINE.

Applications will be accepted until 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Friday, September 11, 2026. However, we will review applications as they arrive and candidates are encouraged to apply early.
For inquiries, please contact careers@skatecanada.ca.
Please clearly indicate "High-Performance Director" in your cover letter.

We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

Skate Canada is committed to ensuring our recruitment and selection processes and work environment are inclusive and barrier-free. At Skate Canada, we celebrate the diversity of all employees and believe that having a team of individuals with different backgrounds, views, experiences, and capabilities working together makes us stronger and better as an organization.

This posting is for an existing vacancy. Skate Canada will use AI tools to support the selection process.