Director of High-Performance Athlete Development

This is a senior leadership role aimed at creating a structured, evidence-informed pathway for athletes from talent identification to elite performance. The successful candidate will oversee the development of athlete pathways in alignment with our mission to produce world-class athletes achieving major event podium finishes.

1. Talent Pathway Strategy and Leadership
   • Design and execute a comprehensive talent pathway from talent identification through to talent recruitment.
   • Collaborate with marketing teams to create clear marketing campaigns and social media publicity around opportunities and how to sign up for consideration/trials etc.
   • Engage in strategic planning and review processes with the senior leadership team.
2. 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 performance standards.
   • 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.
3. Program Design and Delivery
   • Oversee annual planning, marketing and scheduling of creative talent identification campaigns which create pathways across all sports.
   • Ensure every athlete is supported throughout any talent recruitment campaign and all communication is simple and clear to understand.
   • Establish a 'How to' participate in talent identification and recruitment campaigns through modern video mediums.
   • Create a clear graphical prospectus which outlines the offer to each athlete who we are looking to recruit.
   • Develop a payment and reward system which attracts the best talent while prioritising an Olympic Medal winning journey over national titles.
4. Staff and Stakeholder Management
   • Recruit and develop a talent scouting and recruitment team.
   • Build and develop relationships with key stakeholders, club coaches, parents, national federations and any required stakeholders.
5. Data, Review & Insights
   • Track and monitor athlete talent using real-time performance analytics, benchmarking tools, and regular reviews.
   • Lead pathway reviews and work to elevate the club structure with annual CPD opportunities for club coaches.
   • Use national and international performance trends to inform talent recruitment strategy, selection, and long-term investments.
6. 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.
7. Compliance and Reporting
   • Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks including anti-doping, safeguarding, and any donor requirements.
   • Prepare program reports, athlete summaries, and budget justifications as required.

1. Proven leadership in talent development and pathway management in Olympic or elite sports settings.
2. 5–8 years' experience in performance sport (preferably multi-sport or Olympic disciplines).
3. Deep understanding of athlete development science, systems, and the transition needs from junior to elite.
4. Strong communication, stakeholder management, and program management skills.
5. Experience managing budgets, staff, and complex logistics.

1. Coaching qualifications in a relevant sport.
2. Understanding of the high-performance sports ecosystem.
3. Previous involvement with national/international federations.
4. Knowledge of long-term athlete development models and international medal trajectory planning.
5. Experience with athlete management systems, data platforms, and performance tracking tools.

1. Flexibility to travel and work irregular hours.
2. Ability to travel domestically.
3. Subject to police verification and background checks as per our compliance policy.