Manager - Wolves Athletic Club

The Manager of the Wolves Athletic Club (WAC) is a key member of the Free Play for Kids leadership team, responsible for all operations of Wolves Basketball, Soccer, and Hockey and the Jr Wolves program. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role leads the Sport Managers and the Jr Wolves Program Manager, owns the club’s curriculum and athlete development pathway, and serves as the club’s point of contact with its governing bodies and leagues. The ideal candidate is an experienced sport leader who puts athlete wellbeing first and champions Free Play’s mission to make sport safe, accessible, and inclusive for every young person.Regular evening and weekend availability is required.
Education and Qualifications:Minimum 5 years experience working with youth such as coaching, social work, in-school services, after-school programs, day homes, or as the
Minimum 5 years experience in sport leadership (club administration, program management, or senior coaching), including at least 3 years managing staff such as managers or head coaches
Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management, Kinesiology, Physical Education, Recreation, Education, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Coaching experience in Basketball, Soccer, or Hockey is required;
NCCP certification (Trained or Certified) is a strong asset
Sport-specific coaching accreditations are considered assets, including a Canada Soccer C, B, or A Licence;
Canada Basketball NCCP Competition-Introduction or Competition-Development certification;
and Hockey Canada NCCP Development 1 or higher
Strong working knowledge of amateur sport governance in Alberta, including registration, sanctioning, and league requirements
Experience developing curriculum and long-term athlete development plans
Knowledge of Safe Sport practices, including the Rule of Two, concussion protocols, and abuse prevention
Experience working with youth from diverse and underserved communities, and an understanding of the barriers to participation in sport
Experience managing program budgets, facility bookings, and event logistics
Excellent leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, including public speaking and working with parents, partners, and governing bodies
Ability to work evenings and weekends during competitive seasons
Proficient with G-suites;
experience with Amilia,Connecteam, and MOJO Sports is an asset
Valid driver’s license with no at-fault accidents, clear Criminal and Vulnerable Sector check, and Standard First Aid and CPR certification
Key Responsibilities:Club Leadership & Operations:Direct all operations and logistics for Wolves Basketball, Soccer, and Hockey, including season planning, tryouts, team formation, schedules, facility bookings, travel, equipment, tournaments, and special events.
Develop and manage annual club plans, budgets, and performance metrics aligned with goals set by the Board of Directors, CEO, and COO, and provide regular progress updates to the Chief Operating Officer.
Learn Free Play’s programming model, processes, and policies, and develop internal procedures that improve club efficiency, consistency, and quality.
Registration & Contribute What You Can (CWYC):Oversee club registration and work with families to remove financial and other barriers to participation.
Own all CWYC policy follow-through for Wolves Athletic Club and Jr Wolves families, ensuring families meet their commitments and working with them respectfully when commitments are missed.
Ensure all CWYC documents are received, complete, and stored securely and confidentially, and maintain accurate records for reporting to the Chief Operating Officer.
Lead, mentor, and evaluate the Sport Managers and Jr Wolves Program Manager, and oversee each sport’s head and assistant coaches.
Oversee coach recruitment, onboarding, certification, and ongoing development across all Wolves sports.
Regularly attend and evaluate practices and games to ensure coaching and session quality meet the standards of Free Play for Kids and the Wolves Athletic Club, using findings to guide feedback, coach development, and staffing decisions.
Coordinate shared coaching staff and coverage between Jr Wolves and Free to Play with the Director of Community Programs.
Build a supportive, people-first culture where staff, coaches, and volunteers feel valued and equipped to do their best work.
Lead the Wolves curriculum and athlete development plan across all sports, creating a clear pathway from Jr Wolves to Wolves club teams that aligns with the Free Play Sport to Life curriculum and provincial governing body standards.
Establish consistent standards for player assessments, progress tracking, and feedback, and use input from athletes, families, and coaches to inform club decisions.
Build a club environment that puts athlete wellbeing ahead of results, ensuring all programming meets Safe Sport, safeguarding, and concussion protocol requirements and all staff complete required training.
Respond to athlete, family, and staff concerns, including incident reports and complex behavioural situations, and connect families with support resources when needed.
External Relations & Organizational Development:Serve as the club’s point of contact with the Edmonton Minor Soccer Association (EMSA), Basketball Alberta, BHE, and Hockey Edmonton, managing all registrations, sanctioning, rosters, insurance, and compliance requirements.
Represent the club at governing body and league meetings, and keep leadership informed of rule, policy, and schedule changes.
Build relationships with community leagues, school boards, facility partners, and community stakeholders to grow the club.
Collaborate with the Chief Operating Officer, CEO, Board of Directors, and Director of Community Programs on the growth and future direction of the organization.
Free Play for Kids is an equal-opportunity employer. Diversity and inclusion are values of Free Play for Kids. Free Play for Kids welcomes applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.
Free Play for Kids respectfully operates on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional gathering place for diverse Indigenous peoples including the Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, Ojibway/Saulteaux/Anishinaabe, Inuit, and many others whose histories, languages, and cultures continue to influence our community.
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