Performance Manager for Para-Equestrian Dressage
Salary: 2.5 days/week with salary up to £70,000 pro rata
Location: West Midlands
The British Equestrian Federation is the National Governing Body for Equestrianism in the UK, affiliated to the FEI and supported by UK Sport and Sport England. The organisation has 19 Member Bodies reflecting the interests of a very broad spectrum of equestrian sports and activities, ranging from Olympic and Paralympic competition, to equine welfare, trade and recreational riding. Equestrianism has huge public appeal within an extensive competitive and recreational landscape.
Some 2.7m people in the UK ride each year supported by a strong core of enthusiasts, spectators and volunteers, and creating a substantial market with major economic and social benefits.
Equestrianism is a gender and age-neutral activity, enabling it to play a key role in creating a more active nation. Purpose of the role The role of the Para-Equestrian Dressage Performance Manager (PM) will be to provide highly effective leadership and management of the UK Sport World Class Para-Equestrian Dressage Podium programme, working collaboratively across organisational boundaries to utilise shared knowledge and experience across the programme in order to maximise performance gains and deliver world class medal winning success.
Main tasks and activities:
• Develop a high performance system that consistently delivers medal success at Championship level for European Championships, World Championships and Paralympic Games.
• Lead the GBR para-equestrian dressage team at international competitions, European Championships, World Championships and Paralympic Games.
• Monitor, evaluate and profile the performance of World Class Programme (WCP) Podium squad para-equestrian dressage athlete and horse combinations against world leading standards.
• Work in collaboration with the Head of Performance Support to drive the optimal use of human and equine sport science and medicine support to positively impact on performance.
• Effectively use performance reviews, target setting and subsequent performance development plans to ensure riders are aligned to the medal targets and Programme aims.
• Facilitate effective communication between riders, owners, selectors and key stakeholders.
• Work in collaboration with the Performance Operations Team to develop and deliver effective preparation and logistics plans for European Championships, World Championships and Paralympic Games.
• Advise the Performance Director, British Dressage and the para-equestrian dressage selection committee on all matters relating to selection as required.
• Work in partnership with the Head of Performance Pathways to ensure the WCP para-equestrian dressage performance pathway offers a seamless progression of travel.
• Play a full and active part in the WCP Performance Management Group to support the BEF’s strategy to increase collaboration across its Member Bodies.
• Assist the Performance Director with the formulation and implementation of WCP strategic and operational plans when required.
• Co-ordinate performance-focused programmes for training camps and promote a performance-focused home training environment with athletes and their home teams.
• Monitor the WCP budget allocation for Podium para-equestrian dressage; make recommendations to the Performance Director, Head of Performance Support and/or the Performance Operations Team for any additional expenditure or support required.
• Monitor international and national rules and regulations specific to para-equestrian dressage and ensure that rule changes are implemented, fully understood and adhered to.
• Assist with the promotion of, and adherence to, clean sport regulations and principles, both human and equine, national and international.
• Report to the Performance Director in an accurate and timely manner on all matters relating to the optimal delivery of the Podium para-equestrian dressage programme.
What you need to succeed:
Essential:
• Significant and recent experience working in high performance environments and a proven track record of leading a team operating in elite sport at the highest level.
• Highly developed leadership and management skills and experience of establishing a culture of collaboration, team working, innovation and support.
• Relevant leadership of inter-disciplinary support teams that has resulted in demonstrable performance impact.
• Experience working in a de-centralised sport and where there is a requirement for the optimisation of support to an athlete’s home team and training environments.
• A comprehensive understanding of coaching, sport science and medicine, international competition and performance pathways.
Desirable:
• An understanding of equestrian sport and the wider equestrian landscape.
• A good technical understanding of disability sport and classification. • Experience of working within the UK high performance system.
• Proven use of IT systems and a high level of competency in the use of MS Office, including Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
Personal skills and characteristics:
• Balanced decision making with high emotional intelligence.
• Motivated and results-orientated with the confidence to make tough decisions and the drive to continuously raise the bar and achieve targets.
• Outstanding communication and influencing skills.
• Strong planning and organisation skills; adept at managing change.
• A team player with an open and consultative style and positive approach.
• Ability to develop and maintain strategic relationships and to build trust and confidence with a variety of stakeholders.
• Resilience, stamina and flexibility.
• Focused and diligent with the ability to prioritise workload.
• Comfortable working under pressure in a fast-paced sporting environment.
The successful candidate must be willing to work unscheduled hours, which will include evenings and weekends, and be willing to travel both within the UK and abroad. The role will include travel to remote locations that may not be accessible via public transport.
The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the UK. As the needs of the business change this role will change accordingly, therefore this document should be viewed as a guideline which may be subject to change.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should complete the application form and send it, together with an up to date CV, to Maggie Moreton, Head of Secretariat, British Equestrian Federation, Abbey Park, Stareton, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2RH or email maggie.moreton@bef.co.uk.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 24 March 2019.
Interviews will be held at the British Equestrian Federation offices at Abbey Park, Stareton, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2RH on Friday 12 April 2019.
The BEF positively seeks to achieve diversity in its workforce and applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality are welcomed and encouraged.
