Chess Coach \& Program Coordinator (starting June 1, 2026\)
Location: Indianapolis, IN (IndyChess.org) Position Type: Full\-time, Salaried
About Indy Chess
IndyChess is a 501(c)(3\) nonprofit organization dedicated to making chess accessible to all people in the Indianapolis area. We believe chess is a powerful tool for developing critical thinking, patience, and confidence. We are looking for a dedicated Chess Coach \& Program Coordinator to help us manage our growing fee\-for\-service school programs (with 30%of spots reserved for scholarships) and deliver high\-quality instruction to our students.
The Role
This is a dual\-threat position designed for someone who loves both being on the "front lines" coaching school\-aged students and working behind the scenes to ensure our programs run smoothly. You will be a primary face of Indy Chess in schools and at our summer camps. There is no office to report to, as it is a hybrid role. The “workplace” are the schools and event venues, with other administration work done from home on a laptop. The position works a lot of evening and weekends, and a lot of mornings and afternoons, making the middle of the day (approximately 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) very flexible and open, especially during weeks when there is a weekend tournament. Here is a sample weekly schedule:
Sample 40\-hour/week Schedule during School Year:
Monday:*
7:00a\-9:00a School Teaching (includes travel to/from school)*
10:00a\-2:00p: Work from home coordinating programs/planning lessons*
2:30\-4:40p School Teaching (includes travel to/from school)*
Tuesday:*
7:00a\-9:00a School Teaching (includes travel to/from school)*
2:30\-4:40p School Teaching (includes travel to/from school)*
6:15\-8:15p Weekly Chess Night Kids Area*
Wednesday:*
7:00a\-9:00a School Teaching (includes travel to/from school)*
2:30\-4:40p School Teaching (includes travel to/from school)*
6:00\-8:00p Evening Beginner Chess Class (includes travel)*
Thursday:*
7:00a\-9:00a School Teaching (includes travel to/from school)*
10:00a\-2:00p: Work from home coordinating programs/planning lessons*
2:30\-4:40p School Teaching (includes travel to/from school)*
Friday:*
7:00a\-9:00a School Teaching (includes travel to/from school)*
10:30a\-12:30p Homeschool Chess Club Teaching (includes travel)*
2:30\-4:40p School Teaching (includes travel to/from school)*
Saturday: No obligations*
Sunday: 12:30\-6:30p Monthly Kids Tournament*
Key Responsibilities
Instruction \& Coaching
* School Year: Lead chess instruction at approximately 12 school\-based programs per week (one hour each). This would approximately be five before school programs, five after school programs, and two additional lunch or evening programs.
* Summer: Serve as a lead coach for IndyChess summer camps, including providing care at either before or after care (not both).
* Weekly Events: Manage and coach the kids’ area during Indy Chess Weekly Tuesday Chess Nights for approximately forty times per year (6:30\-8:00p).
* Curriculum Development: Assist in developing curriculum for camps and schools.
Program Coordination \& Outreach
* School Relations: Serve as a primary point of contact for schools; managing outreach, data collection, and regular email communication to administrators.
* Administration: Create and maintain student rosters and coordinate logistics for each school site, including consistent email communication to parents.
* Marketing: Create and distribute promotional fliers for programs and events.
* Digital Presence: Assist in keeping school\-specific information and registration links updated on the IndyChess website.
Tournament Organization \& Direction
- Assist annually with the weekend event organization and tournament direction of ten Scholastic Sunday chess events, ten monthly tornado events, the Club Championship (three days).
- Co\-tournament direct regional qualifier events hosted by Indy Chess for Scholastic Chess of Indiana (two one\-day tournaments in January and February)
- Direct weekly league nights approximately 20 days per year.
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
Qualifications
* Chess Proficiency: Strong understanding of chess tactics and strategy (USCF rating of 1400\+ preferred; must be able to teach beginners through intermediate players).
* Tournament Direction: While Indy Chess will help train a candidate to become a certified USCF tournament director, already having such certification and experience is preferred. The candidate is expected to pursue–through Indy Chess tournaments–eventual certification as a FIDE Arbiter.
* Teaching Experience: Proven ability to manage a classroom and engage elementary/middle school students is a plus, but training is provided.
* Organizational Skills: High attention to detail for roster management and scheduling.
* Communication: Professional email etiquette and the ability to represent Indy Chess to school administrators and parents.
* Computer Proficiency: Proficiency in the following sites and applications are a plus: Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Lichess Studies, Chessdotcom Classroom
* Digital Design: Basic graphic design (e.g., Canva.com) skills are a plus.
* Transportation: Reliable vehicle and driver’s license required for travel between school sites in the Indianapolis area.
* Physical: Must be able to carry 30 lbs. up and down stairs to take chess supplies into school and event venues.
Compensation \& Benefits
IndyChess offers a comprehensive and competitive nonprofit compensation package:
* Salary Range: $40,000 to $45,000 per year (based on a 40\-hour work week).
* Generous Paid Time Off: Six weeks of scheduled paid vacation (two weeks in August; two weeks in Dec/Jan; one week Spring Break; one week Fall Break), plus sick days.
* Health Benefits: $500/month health insurance reimbursement via a QSEHRA account.
* Retirement: SIMPLE IRA account with a 2% employer match.
* Travel Reimbursement: $200/month mileage reimbursement.
* Cell Phone/Internet Stipend: $25/month reimbursement for cell; $25/month reimbursement for Internet ($50 total).
* Free membership and free entry to any Indy Chess event.
How to Apply
Please send a resume and a brief cover letter outlining your chess background and experience working with children to Mike Chapuran, Executive Director at info@indychess.org as soon as possible. Please do not submit an application through indeed.com, as it will not be checked regularly. Candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis. EOE.
Pay: $40,000\.00 \- $45,000\.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Indianapolis, IN 46260