Head Coach —

Junior Rowing Program Position:

Head Coach, Junior Rowing Program Employment:

Full-Time Team Size:

Approximately 20-35 varsity and novice rowers

Reports To:

Tempe Junior Crew Board of Directors Location:

Tempe, AZ Start Date:

Dec 8, 2026 Team Overview Established in 2002, Tempe Junior Crew is Arizona's premier co‐ed competitive junior rowing program for young men and women between the ages of 13 and 18 years old. TJC rows in the desert on Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Arizona. Our athletes regularly compete at a high level each year in regional regattas and national championships, and our athletes have recently been recruited to continue rowing for some of the top collegiate programs in the country, including Stanford University, Purdue University, University of Virginia, University of Miami, University of Kansas, Loyola Marymount University and the US Naval Academy. Position Overview Tempe Junior Crew (TJC) is seeking an enthusiastic, experienced, and athlete-centered Head Coach for our junior rowing program . This is a full-time coaching position responsible for leading a small program of approximately 20-35 varsity and novice rowers. The Head Coach will oversee all aspects of the rowing program, including daily training, technical development, race preparation, athlete recruitment and retention, team culture, equipment coordination, and communication with athletes and families. Because of our program's size, the Head Coach will play a highly hands-on role. We are looking for a coach who enjoys working closely with individual athletes, developing rowers at different experience levels, and building a positive, inclusive, and competitive team environment. Key ResponsibilitiesCoaching & Athlete Development Plan and lead daily water and land-based practices for varsity and novice athletes. Develop age- and experience-appropriate training plans throughout the year including periods between rowing seasons. Teach and reinforce sound rowing technique, racing skills, training habits, and equipment practices. Provide individualized coaching and feedback to help athletes reach their potential. Develop novice rowers while continuing to challenge experienced varsity athletes. Prepare crews for local, regional, and/or championship-level competition as appropriate. Monitor athlete training loads, development, attendance, and progression. Promote appropriate strength, conditioning, mobility, recovery, nutrition, and injury-prevention practices. Program Leadership Establish and maintain a positive team culture based on respect, accountability, teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal growth. Set clear expectations for athlete conduct, effort, attendance, and commitment. Organize team lineups, boat assignments, practice groups, and race entries. Coordinate the season schedule, including regattas, and practices. Manage the program's day-to-day operations and help ensure that practices and competitions run safely and efficiently. Identify and lead the assistant coaches including assigning tasks and enforcing performance standards are met. Maintain appropriate records related to athlete participation, training, equipment, and competition. Recruitment & Program Growth Support recruitment and retention efforts to maintain a healthy program. Introduce new athletes to the sport and create an accessible pathway from novice to varsity rowing. Develop relationships with and help promote rowing within the broader community. Safety & Equipment Make athlete safety the highest priority in all on-water and land-based activities. Follow all applicable boating, weather, transportation, emergency-response, and youth-sport safety protocols. Inspect and maintain rowing shells, oars, launches, ergometers, and other equipment, coordinating repairs and maintenance as needed. Establish clear procedures for adverse weather, emergencies, equipment failure, and other on-water risks. Maintain current CPR/AED and first-aid certification, or obtain certification as required. Communication & Collaboration Communicate regularly and professionally with athletes and families regarding schedules, expectations, competitions, and program matters. Collaborate effectively with other coaches, the TJC Board of Directors, and the local and general rowing communities. Coordinate with boathouse, facility, transportation, and event personnel as needed. Provide timely information regarding athlete development, team needs, and program operations. Serve as a positive representative of TJC at practices, regattas, and community events. QualificationsRequired Significant coaching experience in rowing, preferably with junior/high-school athletes. Strong understanding of rowing technique, training principles, race preparation, and athlete development. Demonstrated ability to coach athletes with a wide range of experience and ability levels. Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Commitment to athlete safety and positive youth development. Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, afternoons/evenings, weekends, and occasional travel. Current CPR/AED and first-aid certification, or willingness to obtain certification. Ability to pass all required background checks and youth-sports screening. Preferred Experience as a head coach or program director. Experience developing novice rowers and building small programs. Collegiate rowing or competitive rowing experience. Experience with strength and conditioning for junior athletes. USRowing coaching education/certification or comparable training. Experience with regatta logistics, race entries, transportation, and travel. Familiarity with rowing-specific training and performance technologies. Ideal Candidate The successful candidate will be:

Athlete-centered:

Invested in developing young people as well as rowers.

Hands-on:

Comfortable coaching on the dock, in the launch, in the boathouse, and on land.

Adaptable:

Able to coach effectively with a small roster and varying levels of experience.

Organized:

Capable of managing practices, competitions, equipment, schedules, and communication.

Technically strong:

Able to identify and correct rowing technique while teaching athletes how to train effectively.

Collaborative:

Works well with families, administrators, assistant coaches, and community partners.

Positive and demanding:

Sets high standards while creating an environment where athletes feel supported and motivated to improve.

Program-minded:

Interested not only in race results, but also in building participation, retention, leadership, and a sustainable team culture. Compensation & Benefits Full-time, year-round position Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications How to Apply Please submit the following to president@tempejuniorcrew.org : Resume/CV Cover letter describing your coaching philosophy and interest in the position Three professional references [

Optional:

Coaching certifications] Applications will be reviewed beginning September 28, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. TJC is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all athletes and staff. We encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Pay:

$3,275.00 - $4,000.00 per month

Benefits:

Paid training Professional development assistance

Work Location:

In person