Senior Martial Arts Instructor

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Martial Arts Instructor Balanced Martial Arts, Eastchester, NY

Most of what a great instructor does at Balanced Martial Arts is small. A kid finally landing a technique after weeks of trying. A nervous new student about to step on the mat for the first time. We need a Senior Instructor for those moments.

Balanced Martial Arts has been serving Eastchester and surrounding communities for 25 years. Almost 500 active members. A documented curriculum. A team of instructors who've been here for years. The right Senior Instructor isn't going to be building this from scratch. They're stepping into a working program and helping us raise the standard.

This role fits an experienced martial arts professional who has done more than teach classes. Someone who has actually been part of running a school. Mentoring instructors, managing schedules, helping shape curriculum, working with parents directly. If you've hit a ceiling at your current school or you're looking for a more serious operation to build a long career in, this is for you.

What the Senior Instructor actually does

The role is roughly 70% teaching and 30% operations.

Teaching:

• Lead group classes across ages and ranks
• Run testing, grading, and belt promotions
• Maintain curriculum standards and lead special events
• Provide individual feedback that moves students forward

Operations:

• Mentor and develop assistant and junior instructors
• Provide performance feedback to other instructors
• Track student progress and contribute to retention
• Conduct parent conversations around student development
• Maintain facility and safety standards
• Support enrollment conversations when needed

What we're looking for

Must-haves:

• Black belt, 3rd degree or higher preferred
• 3+ years of full-time teaching experience
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop other instructors
• Strong communication with both kids and adults
• CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain)
• Background check (we work with minors)

Nice-to-haves:

• Experience with multiple martial arts styles
• Curriculum development experience
• Tournament coaching experience
• Familiarity with school management software (we use Zen Planner)

Compensation

Base salary: $55,000 to $70,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

In addition to base pay, we offer bonuses tied to student retention, program upgrades, and new student conversion. Successful instructors typically earn total compensation of $65,000 to $80,000+ once supplementary income is included (private lessons, birthday parties, promotion bonuses).

Schedule

Our school operates when students are available, so evenings and weekends are part of the role.

A typical schedule for this position:

• Tuesday through Friday: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

We prioritize a consistent 5-day work week with predictable hours. Evenings and one weekend day are a regular part of the role, as these are our highest-impact teaching windows. Schedules are set in advance and remain stable.