Head of Officiating / Head of Officiating

About IIHF

The IIHF, founded on May 15, 1908, in Paris, France, is the governing body of international ice hockey. With 84 member associations, each serving as the national governing body for their respective countries, the IIHF manages the international rulebook, oversees player transfers, and establishes officiating guidelines. Additionally, the IIHF runs various development programs aimed at expanding the reach of hockey worldwide. The organization also governs ice hockey in the Olympic Games and coordinates the IIHF World Championships across all levels, including men's, women's, U20 juniors, U18 juniors, and U18 women. Each season, in collaboration with local organizing committees, the IIHF oversees approximately 25 different World Championships across five categories.

Position: Head of Officiating (f/m/d) 100%

As the Head of Officiating, you will play a pivotal role in the development and leadership of the IIHF Officiating program. Your responsibilities will include crafting and executing strategic plans, collaborating with Game Officials, and engaging with various stakeholders to enhance the standard of officiating on an international scale. To strengthen our Sport Department, we seek an expert in North American officiating to complement our existing European ice hockey knowledge. The Head of Officiating will report directly to the Sport Director and will execute the following key responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction and daily operations of the IIHF Officiating Section.
• Enhance officiating standards, consistency, and excellence across all IIHF tournaments.
• Develop elite referees and linesmen from the IIHF's global network.
• Promote greater integration and collaboration between European and North American officiating practices.
• Oversee official assignments for IIHF competitions in close cooperation with other IIHF Sport Department staff.
• Expand the IIHF's officiating development programs, focusing on global outreach, education, and mentorship.
• Represent the IIHF at international events, seminars, and working groups related to officiating and rule development.

Skills and Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in elite-level officiating, officiating supervision, and officiating program management.
• Experience within international, professional, and amateur ice hockey.
• NHL/AHL experience is essential; additional experience in IIHF Top Events or European elite leagues is preferred.
• Experience working within a Member National Association (MNA) is an advantage.
• In-depth understanding of the technical, cultural, and strategic differences between North American and European officiating programs.
• Knowledge of the structural and operational methods of professional hockey leagues and federations worldwide.
• Proven leadership and decision-making capabilities in high-pressure environments.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with experience in leading cross-cultural teams.
• Excellent command of English; proficiency in additional languages is a plus.
• Willingness to relocate to Switzerland and travel internationally as required.

Benefits

We offer exciting and diverse tasks accompanied by autonomy and responsibility. You'll have the opportunity to work with a motivated team and enjoy attractive employment conditions. Remote work arrangements may also be possible upon discussion.

We look forward to welcoming a new member to our team as soon as possible. Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.