Overview

The Maplewood Club in Maplewood, NJ, is seeking an experienced Tennis Director in an independent contractor arrangement. This hands-on leader will combine an active on-court teaching presence with operational oversight of the har-tru courts, teaching staff, programming, and events.

Interested candidates should email a résumé to staffing@maplewoodclub.com.  Candidates may also include up to three links or attachments that showcase their teaching, programming, or leadership experience—for example, an Instagram profile, a YouTube video, or other relevant work.

Tennis Director — The Maplewood Club

The Tennis Director Role

The Board of Trustees seeks a Tennis Director who is committed to a successful long-term tennis program at MLC.  The Director should be visible, approachable, hands-on, and comfortable working in a collegial environment where members value both excellent tennis and a strong sense of community.

The Tennis Director leads all tennis operations during the core 6-7 month season, from April through late-October. The Director is responsible for programming, court management, team coaching, managing other pros and building an active, inclusive tennis community.  The Tennis Director will ensure that all activities outlined below are delivered to a high standard, whether provided directly or through qualified staff. 

We welcome the Director’s ideas for new programming including opportunities for new clinics, leagues, ladders, social programming, and special events. This might also include building pickleball programming.  

The Tennis Director reports to the Tennis Trustee/Tennis Committee and is accountable to the Board of Trustees.

Responsibilities

Har-tru court and facility oversight

• Ensure courts are well-maintained, working in concert with the Courts Trustee. 

• Open and maintain 6 har-tru courts each day during the season.

• Oversee watering/sprinkler systems and timing. 

• Communicate conditions and court closings after weather events, directly or through CourtReserve notifications. 

• Check court and net quality daily. Report maintenance issues.

• Enforce club tennis rules, including dress code, reservations and tournament deadlines.

• Coordinate with the club manager and caretaker to keep courts, pavilion, clubhouse, and grounds in order.

Tournaments and events

• Run all club tournaments, including Club Championships, Junior Championships, and World Team Tennis.

• Build draws, notify participants, and manage schedules.

• Run social tennis events: New Member events, holiday round robins, and seasonal socials.

• Post results and updates on the club website and bulletin board.

Club teams

• Coach the women's spring teams in the NJWTL, run weekly practices and oversee lineups.  Attend home matches and provide players with timely performance feedback.

• Support co-ed NJTL weekend league teams, coordinate match scheduling and line-ups.

• Organize junior teams and tournaments based on member interest.

Lessons and clinics

• Deliver private and group lessons for members.

• Run clinics for adults and juniors.

• Recruit, retain, and manage a robust group of assistant pros to reflect member demand.

Youth summer camp

• Operate the Club's summer tennis camp in compliance with all applicable New Jersey youth-camp health, safety, staffing, screening and insurance requirements. The camp is typically 9 weeks (June to August) with up to 40 campers each week and is offered to children of members and non-members.

• Must maintain, at the Director’s expense, all insurance required by law and any additional coverage reasonably required by the Club for youth program operations. 

Pro shop

• Oversee pro shop operations, including merchandise selection, sourcing, inventory management, display and sales.

• Maintain reliable, member-friendly pro shop hours.

• Provide racquet stringing services. 

Communications

• Encourage participation in club events and tournaments.

• Welcome new members and make level-appropriate introductions.

• Post lesson schedules, rates, and program updates on the club website and social channels.

• Submit a year-end financial summary of pro shop, camp and lesson activity.

Compensation and Contract Structure

MLC offers a competitive, performance-based compensation structure tied to private instruction, clinics, and programming. It is anticipated that a motivated professional would be able to build annual earnings of $110,000+ each season. 

Compensation estimates are based on the following elements (indicative of approximate %):

• Annual base compensation (25-30%)  

• Club program income  

  • Net income from teams and clinics (5-10%)

  • Net income from youth summer camp (50%+)

• Income from private and group lessons delivered directly by Director (10+%)

• Pro shop/racquet stringing income (2-5%)

Specific terms will be matched to the candidate’s experience, credentials, teaching track record, and ability to contribute. Actual earnings are based on coaching activity, bookings, programming, and revenue generated and are not a guaranteed salary. The Director may personally provide services or pay qualified teaching staff, while ensuring that programs and staffing meet member demand.  All programs, lessons and camp are subject to Club-approved pricing and payment system.

As an independent contractor, the Director is responsible for all applicable taxes and for maintaining appropriate insurance coverage. Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a self-sustaining basis; this position does not provide visa sponsorship.

Term and Renewal
The initial term of this agreement will be one year, beginning on or around March 1, 2027.  Following the initial term, the agreement may be renewed for successive two-year terms by mutual written agreement.  MLC intends to establish a long-term relationship with a Tennis Director, subject to successful performance and continued alignment with the Club’s needs and culture.

Members of the Board of Trustees will conduct a formal performance review midway through and again after the first season, and annually thereafter. The review will consider, among other factors, member satisfaction, quality and availability of instruction, program participation, staffing, responsiveness, financial performance, facility stewardship, and alignment with Club culture and policies.

Qualifications

• A minimum of five years or more of relevant experience is strongly preferred, including at least two years in a leadership or management position within a private club, resort, academy, or high-volume racquet-sports operation.

• Strong playing ability and coaching experience at a club or academy level.

• Friendly and approachable, with strong interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with both adult and junior players.

• Experience running adult programming, including teams, round robins, tournaments and clinics.

• Experience running junior programming, including camps and clinics.

• Technical expertise in har-tru courts and racquet stringing.

• Experience attracting and retaining a strong team of tennis professionals.

• Clear communicator both on court and in club communications.

• Demonstrated skill at resolving common sources of conflict (court use, doubles partnerships, line-ups and player leveling).

• Available for both weekday and weekend hours during the April–September season. 

• Certificate of insurance for personal liability, provided annually.

Required Credentials:  

• Current RSPA/USPTA or PTA certification

• USTA Safe Play Certification (annual)

• CPR/AED and First Aid

• Criminal, Certifications, and Employment Background check (before employment)

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The Club is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

The Maplewood Club is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We hire and promote without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by the NJLAD and federal law. Reasonable accommodations are provided upon request. Candidates must adhere to professional ethics and USTA Safe Play athlete safety standards.