Lead Basketball Instructor

Job Details: Job Location: Chelsea - New York, NY, Salary Range: $23.00 - $28.00Hourly, About Chelsea Piers:
At Chelsea Piers you will find colleagues who are passionate about what we do. Careers at Chelsea Piers offer unmatched facilities and proven career growth opportunities for people who are passionate about transforming the lives of our community through sports, fitness, and event experiences. We also offer excellent benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) matching; paid time off; transportation benefits; tuition assistance; a complimentary membership to Chelsea Piers Fitness; and other exciting venue benefits at Chelsea Piers.

About the Opportunity:
Chelsea Piers seeks a dedicated and skilled Lead Basketball Coach to join our Field House Basketball Department. In this role, you will be responsible for delivering high-level coaching and player development for classes and teams across various ages and skill levels, while executing the program's vision and culture. This is a dynamic and rewarding opportunity to shape the future of young athletes and contribute to a thriving multi-sport program. You will collaborate closely with your superiors and fellow coaches to ensure the highest quality programming. This role reports to the Basketball Director and Coaching and Development Manager. There are part-time and full-time positions available. Flexibility is essential, as travel, weekend, and afternoon/early evening availability are a must.

Core Responsibilities

This role centers on six key areas:

Teach high-level development classes across our full development class system, spanning all ages and skill levels
Run high-level Evolution Academy practices
Coach and manage Evolution Teams, grades 2–8, and run high-level Team practices — this includes required weekend and travel availability, including some overnight travel
Run high-level classes in other sports (most prominently tennis and volleyball)
Work camp programming during school breaks and summer, leading activities and groups across multiple sports, applying that same standard of enthusiasm, commitment, and structure
Party and event work is required for this role, regardless of scheduling format

As a Lead Basketball Coach, you will be expected to:

Deliver high-level coaching and player development across our full system of programming — development classes spanning all ages and skill levels, the Evolution Academy program, and the Evolution Team program — ensuring adherence to the program's vision and culture
While basketball is the primary focus of this role, coaches are required to assist with or coach other sports classes and programming as needed, with tennis and volleyball being the most prominent, bringing the same level of enthusiasm, commitment, and structure they bring to basketball
Candidates must maintain and exhibit strong class management, and build genuine connection with both kids and families — treating every interaction as an opportunity to build trust and deliver excellent service
Candidates must collaborate closely with fellow coaches to stay aligned on curriculum and coaching approach, communicating consistently so every class, practice, and team reflects the same standard and delivers the best possible experience for the kids
Be a steady, trusted presence in each player's development — going beyond the X's and O's to build real relationships, foster a sense of belonging, and help shape the player's overall experience in the program
Assist with administrative duties as needed or assigned, including:

Supporting communication and logistics for tournaments, game series, and special events
Maintaining accurate records of player progress and program activities

Note on scheduling structure: This posting covers multiple engagement types, and candidates should indicate which they're applying for:

Weekend only — Saturday and Sunday classes; party and event work required
Team only — dedicated to a single Evolution Team (grades 2–8), with required weekend and travel commitments, including some overnight travel; party and event work required

Qualifications: About You:

You are an enthusiastic, dependable, and professional coach with a passion for working with children ages 2–14. Basketball is your primary sport, and you're equally willing and able to assist with or coach other sports classes and programming, including camp — most prominently tennis and volleyball — bringing that same enthusiasm, commitment, and structure to every class you lead. You thrive in a demanding, fast-paced environment, and you love engaging with kids of all ages and abilities. Your coaching is driven by a commitment to development and a dedication to the program's vision, curriculum, and philosophies, and you bring strong class management and a genuine ability to connect with kids and families alike — serving as more than just an instructor, but a steady presence in each player's growth and experience. You bring the same enthusiasm, patience, and commitment to a 2-year-old just learning to dribble as you would to a well-established 10-year-old with strong skills — this role requires an equal ability and willingness to coach across the full range of ages and skill levels, not a preference for one group over another. You are comfortable working within one of several scheduling formats (weekend only, team only, part-time, or full-time), including camp programming during school breaks and summer, and working CP parties and events, which is required regardless of format. Team roles require weekend and travel availability, including some overnight travel. You will also have:

· Minimum of 5 years of experience coaching basketball at the youth, AAU, travel, and grassroots level

· A bachelor's degree or higher

· Experience or willingness to coach and manage teams grades 2–8

· Willingness and ability to assist with or coach other sports classes and programming, including camp, most prominently tennis and volleyball

· Strong knowledge of the game of basketball, current trends, and coaching techniques in youth basketball

· The ability to establish and maintain strong relationships with coaches, parents, and other basketball organizations

· Strong customer connection skills, with the ability to engage kids and families in a way that builds trust and reflects excellent service

· Willingness to work CP parties and events when not coaching, and engage with families and guests outside a standard practice/class setting

· Leadership skills to motivate players, parents, and coaches

· Willingness to implement, enhance, and maintain the program's core philosophies and tactics

· Excellent decision-making, problem-solving, and organization skills

· Ability to manage administrative tasks and be well-prepared

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills

· CPR and SafeSport certification

· A driver's license and car

If you are passionate about coaching, love working with kids, and can contribute to a thriving basketball program, we want to hear from you!