Director, Innovation & Growth Strategy

NHL•New York, NY

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

The National Hockey League is seeking a Director, Innovation & Growth Strategy to lead research, strategic planning, and ecosystem development initiatives that strengthen the future of hockey participation globally. This role will identify, evaluate, and advance opportunities that improve access to the game, increase participant retention, and strengthen the connection between hockey participants and the NHL business. Working across internal departments and external stakeholders, the Director will develop evidence-based strategies and actionable recommendations addressing key areas impacting rink infrastructure, equipment manufacturing/retail, player development pathways, tournaments/events, technology, policy and alternative forms of the game. The ideal candidate combines deep credibility within the hockey ecosystem with a strategic, analytical, and entrepreneurial mindset. They are equally comfortable reviewing research, leading complex projects, facilitating stakeholder discussions, and presenting recommendations to senior executives.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of professional experience in strategy, consulting, sports business, research, analytics, participation development, or a related field.
Demonstrated knowledge of the hockey ecosystem, including youth participation, development pathways, and stakeholder landscape.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sports Management, Public Policy, Economics, Research, Analytics, or a related field.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize quantitative and qualitative data.
Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Proven ability to build relationships and influence diverse stakeholders.
Highly organized with strong project management capabilities.
Self-starter with the ability to work independently and proactively identify opportunities.
Curious, open-minded, and committed to evidence-based decision making.

Nice To Haves

Intellectually curious.
A strategic thinker with a commercial mindset.
Able to balance mission-driven objectives with economic and political realities.
Credible within the hockey community.
Data/Insights driven.
Entrepreneurial and proactive.
Comfortable navigating ambiguity and emerging opportunities.
Creative and innovative in generating new ideas and solutions.
Passionate about increasing access to hockey and strengthening the future of the sport.

Responsibilities

Lead research initiatives focused on understanding the current state and future opportunities of youth and amateur hockey participation.
Analyze participation trends, retention data, demographic shifts, consumer behavior, and industry developments.
Develop evidence-based recommendations that support long-term participation growth.
Conduct benchmarking across sports, youth development organizations, and recreation industries to identify best practices and emerging trends.
Translate complex research and data into clear insights and actionable strategic recommendations.
Evaluate challenges and opportunities across the hockey ecosystem, including: Rink infrastructure (Structures, components and business models), Equipment affordability and innovation, Youth development programming, Alternative and entry-level forms of hockey, Technology solutions, Policy and governance considerations, Events and community engagement.
Identify barriers to participation and retention and recommend scalable solutions.
Assess how NHL initiatives can better support participant growth and strengthen pathways into lifelong fandom.
Build and maintain productive relationships across the hockey landscape, including: National and regional governing bodies, Rink operators and facility owners, Equipment manufacturers and retailers, Technology providers, Youth hockey organizations, Community and grassroots leaders, Professional, collegiate, and amateur hockey stakeholders.
Facilitate collaboration among diverse stakeholder groups to align around common growth objectives.
Represent the NHL at industry meetings, conferences, workshops, and stakeholder forums.
Develop business cases and economic models to evaluate growth opportunities.
Assess the financial feasibility, scalability and long-term impact of initiatives related to infrastructure, programming, technology and equipment.
Evaluate potential partnership, sponsorship, funding and investment opportunities that support growth objectives.
Analyze public, private and non-profit funding models across youth sports and recreation industries.
Support the development of recommendations regarding resource allocation, investment prioritization and ecosystem development strategies.
Lead cross-functional projects from ideation through implementation planning.
Develop business cases, strategic frameworks, and recommendations for senior leadership.
Bring forward new business models, deal structures.
Manage multiple workstreams simultaneously while maintaining strong organization and attention to detail.
Establish KPIs and measurement frameworks to evaluate initiative effectiveness and participation outcomes.

Benefits

Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) which includes paid holidays, vacation, personal and sick days, plus an extra day off for your birthday.
Comprehensive health benefits to employees and their eligible dependents effective on their first day with no waiting period.
The NHL subsidizes a large portion of the health benefits costs, therefore your cost for medical, dental and vision coverage is minimal.
Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support mental, physical, and financial health.
Access to a digital wellness resource designed to improve health and happiness through courses in sleep, movement, and focus.
Comprehensive Childcare Leave: Primary caregiver is entitled to up to 12 weeks of paid Childcare Leave, at full pay. Non-primary caregivers are entitled to up to 6 weeks of paid Childcare Leave, at full pay.
Savings Plan which includes a 401K (pre-tax and Roth options) plus non-elective (employer) contributions.
Pre-tax commuter benefit plan.
Exclusive pricing from NHL Partners that include savings on travel, consumer goods and services, plus the NHL Store.
Opportunity to play hockey during Tuesday Night Skate at Chelsea Piers.
Opportunity to join Employee Resource Groups.