Chief Athlete Development Director

Job Title: Chief Athlete Development Director

Role Purpose:

This is a senior leadership position focused on developing and implementing an athlete development strategy to produce world-class athletes who achieve major event podium finishes.

Main Responsibilities:

• Athlete Development Strategy:
• Design and execute a comprehensive athlete development pathway from talent identification through to elite performance.
• Collaborate with marketing teams to create clear campaigns and social media publicity around opportunities for athletes.
• Engage in strategic planning and review processes with the senior leadership team.

• Talent Identification and Development:
• Coordinate and deliver annual talent identification programs, including multi-stage testing and profiling.
• Develop sport-specific benchmarking and profiling systems in collaboration with sports scientists and national/international benchmarks.
• Drive new initiatives such as talent transfer and special scouting projects to fill critical talent gaps.
• Implement athlete recruitment management systems to ensure a comprehensive talent database.

• Program Design and Delivery:
• Oversee annual planning, marketing and scheduling of creative talent identification campaigns.
• Ensure every athlete is supported throughout any talent recruitment campaign.
• Establish a 'How to' participate in talent identification and recruitment campaigns through modern video mediums.
• Create a clear graphical prospectus outlining the offer to each athlete.
• Design a payment and reward system attracting top talent while prioritizing Olympic Medal winning journeys over national titles.

• Staff and Stakeholder Management:
• Recruit and develop a talent scouting and recruitment team.
• Lead the pathways team to build relationships with key stakeholders, club coaches, parents, national federations and required stakeholders.

• Data, Review & Insights:
• Track and monitor athlete talent using real-time performance analytics and regular reviews.
• Lead pathway reviews and elevate the club structure with CPD opportunities for coaches maintaining a positive relationship with the organization.
• Inform talent recruitment strategy, selection, and long-term investments using national and international performance trends.

• Education and Welfare Integration:
• Collaborate with educational pathways teams for athlete welfare and dual career programs.
• Facilitate induction, transition, and exit processes for athletes entering and exiting the pathway.

• Compliance and Reporting:
• Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks.
• Prepare program reports, athlete summaries, and budget justifications as required.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Proven leadership in athlete development and pathway management in Olympic or elite sports settings.
• 5–8 years experience in performance sport (preferably multi-sport or Olympic disciplines).
• Deep understanding of athlete development science, systems, and junior to elite transition needs.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and program management skills.
• Experience managing budgets, staff, and complex logistics.

Desirable:

• Coaching qualifications in a relevant sport.
• Understanding of India's high-performance sports ecosystem.
• Previous involvement with national/international federations.
• Knowledge of long-term athlete development models and international medal trajectory planning.
• Experience with athlete management systems, data platforms, and performance tracking tools.

Additional Requirements:

• Flexibility to travel and work irregular hours.
• Ability to travel domestically.
• Subject to police verification and background checks as per policy.