DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION
RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB, HOUSTON, TX
DEADLINE: 5:00 P.M. (EST) FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2019
POSITION PROFILE
~ Please review the position profile and scroll to the bottom of the page to apply ~
the position - OVERVIEW
The River Oaks Country Club Tennis Program provides an extensive variety of Instructional Programs and Coaching options to the club’s 1,600+ members and their families. The Club is seeking a Director of Instruction (DoI) who will report to the Director of Tennis (DoT) and work with a staff of 10 full-time certified teaching professionals. This is a new and unique position, requiring a seasoned and experienced professional with demonstrable on-court success as a coach who is equally comfortable assisting with a member social event or playing a set of doubles with members.
The Club
Founded in 1923, River Oaks Country Club is located in Houston, Texas, one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Situated on 183 acres, four miles from downtown Houston, the Club provides its members with a complete offering of recreational and social amenities. The club’s facilities include a 1923 era Donald Ross designed golf course, golf teaching center, extensive tennis facilities which include eight clay and eight hard courts, aquatics, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and an elegant clubhouse offering a variety of member dining and banquet facility options. The Club has a long-standing reputation of providing members, their families and guests with an exceptional club experience and unparalleled service. Home to the US Men’s Clay Court Tennis Championships, River Oaks Country Club has hosted a professional level tennis tournament in its classic tennis stadium since 1931.
Long considered among the nation’s premier private country clubs, the club has a rich golf, tennis and social tradition, and holds a prominent position in the lives of its multi-generational membership. River Oaks’ 1,600+ members, each of whom has use privileges of all ROCC facilities, are actively involved in the city’s social, philanthropic and business activities. The Club maintains a healthy waiting list for membership, and an active advisory committee system.
position responsibilities
The DoI is an integral member of the River Oaks Country Club Tennis Department staff, and works alongside all tennis staff members to meet and exceed member expectations.
With the DoT and Head Tennis Professional (HTP), the DoI will oversee and/or deliver personally, the coaching of all club teams, provide oversight and guidance for the junior development program (recreational and competitive), and all member tennis skills development programs. Additional responsibilities include, but may not be limited to the following:
Responsible for the delivery of best-in-class, cutting-edge coaching and instruction for club members and their children.
Work with the DoT and HTP to develop all teaching and coaching programming and protocols.
Work alongside the DoT and HTP to evaluate, train and enrich the requisite skills of all teaching professionals.
Teach private and group lessons, clinics, team practices and other organized instructional programs as needed.
Ensure that River Oaks members and their families have access to the latest and most advanced player development processes, techniques, resources and training.
Frame and provide the aforementioned services across a wide range of player levels, ages and objectives – within a private club environment.
Work alongside the DoT and HTP to develop goals for the instructional component of the tennis program which align with the defined operational objectives of the club.
Communicate the instructional, coaching and player development goals of the program to members and the Tennis Professional staff.
Under the direction of the DoT and in partnership with the HTP, establish and foster a professional development program for the club’s teaching professionals and coaches.
ESSENTIAL EXPECTATIONS
Be appropriately visible within the Club operation being readily accessible to members and staff, including times when not actively coaching or teaching.
Demonstrate an understanding of the nuances of working in a member-owned private club.
Mentor and develop quality and highly regarded tennis Professionals.
Work with the DoT and HTP to create, foster and maintain an environment of quality and interactive professional engagement for the tennis staff.
Be a passionate ambassador for tennis, and for the club’s tennis program.
Display an acute awareness of developing trends in teaching and coaching, including the adoption and application of sport science, and the use of technology.
Work with the DoT and HTP to develop a consistent best-in-class coaching curriculum for the club’s inter-club Ladies teams.
Work with the DoT and HTP to develop a consistent, relevant and appropriate full-service instructional and coaching program for children of all ages and abilities, including children who do and do not wish to play competitively.
Coordinate with the DoT as directed, to ensure timely and accurate billing and reconciliation of member charges for instructional programs.
Personal Traits
The position requires high interaction with all members and family members. This includes those members and family members who play tennis and pickleball but who choose not to participate in instructional offerings, as well as parents of children participating in instructional programs.
Effective, diplomatic and nuanced communication skills are critical, along with the ability to be clear, concise, positive, creative, energized and passionate about the game of tennis, and the club’s overall racquet sports program.
Encourage and facilitate member input and continually monitor, adjusting as needed, components of the instructional offerings after consultation with the DoT, to meet evolving member expectations.
A natural ability to easily establish respectful and collaborative relationships with the professional staff.
Exceptional verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills, including an ability to display active-listening, and demonstrate empathy.
A supportive leadership style and a sincere desire to mentor and develop an ambitious Professional staff.
Previous active involvement in the local, regional and national tennis community.
A willingness to be involved with the local tennis community including with the Texas Division of the USPTA, the Texas section of the USTA, USPTA, PTR and the Player Development Department of the USTA.
Remain abreast of, and on the leading edge of, ongoing advancements in the tennis teaching and coaching field, and remain acutely and intimately aware of new and emerging teaching and coaching protocols and processes, including the use of new technologies.
Personally, or through accessing the resources of other coaches, knowledge experts, or teaching professionals, ensure that the instructional and coaching program at ROCC has access to the latest information concerning strength and conditioning training, injury prevention, sports psychology, mental toughness and flexibility as well as proper nutrition and hydration protocols.
Continuously exhibit through attitude and delivery of exceptional programming, the most desirable and sought-after tennis instructional experience in the greater Houston area.
Qualifications: Experience / Education / Certification
Has previously competed as a touring professional or at a high collegiate level.
A current playing level of 5.5 or higher NTRP rating, or Male UTR 11+ rating or Female UTR 9+ rating.
The highest professional certification (USPTA Elite or Master Professional or PTR equivalent) with specialized certification in high-performance coaching or player development, or willingness to acquire such certification as a pre-condition of employment.
USTA High-Performance Coach, or equivalent international Certification.
At least 10 years of quality experience as a player coach, national coach, high performance coach, or high-performance focused teaching professional.
A college degree is preferred.
Has developed their own teaching and coaching skills through high-level play, and as a result of continued, focused continuing education which has focused on high performance and competitive play.
A well-rounded, mature approach to managing and leadership.
Recognized for being creative in developing teaching systems and coaching techniques which have resulted in demonstrable player development and success.
Current USTA Safe-Play certified, or willingness to complete as a pre-condition of employment.
Demonstrated participation in accredited Continuing Education programs.
Compensation / Benefits / Professional Support
A competitive compensation package is offered with this position.
The expectation is for the DoI to be actively ‘on-court’, for 30-35 hours over the course of an average work week.
A 401K plan is provided with a generous employer match.
An appropriate allowance for professional dues and continuing education.
The club offers a generous benefits package to include medical, dental and vision coverage, short and long-term disability insurance and life insurance.
Financial assistance and relocation support will be provided if the successful candidate must relocate to Houston.
Application Process & Deadline
Deadline to submit an Application is 5:00 p.m. (EDST) on Friday October 18.
Application must be made only through the Online Link below.
if you would like to apply for this position, Click on the blue button at the bottom of this page to apply.
You will be asked to complete a brief application, and to submit your Resume and Cover Letter, addressed to the attention of: Mr. Chris Gale, Director of Tennis, River Oaks Country Club.
Your Cover Letter should clearly articulate how your successful experience and skills are aligned with the position as defined in this Position Profile, and why you believe you are a great fit with the requirements of the role. You should also state why you wish to be considered for this position at this stage of your career, and why you believe River Oaks Country Club, and Houston, TX would be the right fit for you.
A thorough and professional review and interview process, managed by Search Consultants McMahon | 10s, will proceed the selection. It is expected that several candidates will be invited to participate in personal interviews at the Club between November 5 - 7.
When your Cover Letter is complete, please submit the letter, accompanied by your updated resume, as follows:
“Save As” each document (Word Document or PDF Format only) with a filename as:
YourLastName_YourFirstName_Resume
YourLastName_YourFirstName_CoverLetter
To Submit Your Application and upload Your Resume & Cover Letter, click on the button below.
Please note that the deadline for application is Friday October 18 at 5:00 p.m. (EST)
No telephone calls will be accepted by River Oaks Country Club staff concerning this position. Applications will be accepted only through the process noted above and any questions should be directed to Mark McMahon at McMahon | 10s.
If you have questions about this position, Click Here to email Mark McMahon
