Youth Basketball Program Specialist

Rock Entertainment Group•Cleveland, OH

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Picture this: you're the reason a six-year-old can't stop talking about practice at dinner. You're the person a gym full of kids sprints toward the second you walk in. That's the job. The Cavaliers are looking for a Youth Basketball Program Specialist to lead Cavs Youth Sports across the region — and at its heart, this job is about giving kids the chance to just be kids. Basketball is the setting, but what you're really building is joy: campers who can't wait to show up, kids who feel confident trying something new, and days full of running, laughing, and play. You'll build real relationships with schools and partners, and lead a squad of coaches who bring the same energy you do. High-energy days, genuine connection with kids and families, and the kind of organization that keeps a busy season running smooth. If you light up a room, know how to keep 30 kids active, laughing, and having the time of their lives, and can rally a coaching staff to bring their best every single day, keep reading.

Requirements

A genuine love for working with kids — you know how to earn their trust, hold their attention, and make them feel like the most important person in the gym.
High energy and a fun, contagious personality that makes every camp, clinic, and event more exciting the moment you show up.
Experience leading and managing a team of coaches or staff, with the ability to set a standard and keep people accountable and motivated.
Bachelor's degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
2+ years of experience in coaching, camp counseling, program administration, youth sports operations, community engagement, or a related field preferred.
Experience leading youth basketball or community-based programming strongly preferred.
Strong knowledge of basketball skill development and age-appropriate curriculum design.
Strong knowledge of early childhood development, with experience working with kids under the age of ten.
Reliable transportation and willingness to travel regionally as needed.
Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and other non-traditional hours based on programming and event needs.
Passion for youth development and community impact.
A natural knack for connecting with kids of all ages, energy levels, and skill levels.
Strong coaching presence with the ability to engage, motivate, and have fun with young athletes.
Proven ability to lead, coach, and manage a staff — building a team that shows up with the same energy you do.
Ability to manage a team of peers, leading with influence and setting the tone even without formal authority.
Comfortable serving as a liaison with parents, building trust through clear, warm communication.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
Highly organized with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong problem-solving skills and comfort with operational execution.
Team-oriented mindset with a willingness to collaborate across departments.
Professionalism, adaptability, and a high standard of accountability.

Responsibilities

Coach and lead youth basketball camps and clinics, bringing energy that makes skill-building feel like the best part of the kids' day.
Serve as Lead Coach for Cavs Academy and Cavalittles camps and clinics, Jr. Cavs partner activations, community events, and corporate partner activations.
Lead and manage a staff of coaches — scheduling, training, and setting the standard so every event runs on the same high-energy, kid-first playbook.
Get out into the community and build real relationships with schools, organizations, facilities, and local partners.
Drive growth by finding and landing new program opportunities, building partnerships, and boosting enrollment and reach for youth basketball programming.
Deliver a bi-weekly research plan with recommendations for new markets, facilities, and partnerships to the Cavs Youth Sports Leadership Team.
Process payroll for Cavs Academy coaches, on time and by the book.
Manage game-day activation plans, post-event reporting, and kiosk scheduling all season long.
Evaluate Cavaliers Academy development goals and build a training curriculum with a clear athlete development pathway.
Develop a basketball curriculum that reflects the C.A.V.S. way — flexible enough for schools, camps, clinics, and community settings.
Be the go-to liaison for the Corporate Partnerships team, keeping sold assets scheduled, communicated, and fulfilled.
Team up with procurement to keep basketballs, jerseys, and gear stocked for summer tour events, clinics, community programs, and Jr. Cavs initiatives.
Create, complete, and execute facility agreements, organized and on time.
Own Pep Assembly requests from prioritization through scheduling.
Champion equitable access to youth basketball, helping expand participation across diverse communities.
Build a positive, inclusive environment where confidence, leadership, sportsmanship, and long-term athlete development thrive.
Build real, lasting connections with young athletes, families, coaches, and community stakeholders.
Help grow not just athletes, but future fans and lifelong participants in the game.
Other duties as assigned.