England Athletics

Club and Coach Support Officer

1.  Job Purpose

The Club and Coach Support Officer will work as part of a team to provide high quality support to athletics clubs and coaches in their local area. Their role will be to effectively implement the Local Coach Development Programme to raise standards in coaching and to support the Athletics Networks programme as well as club development in general to raise standards in athletics. They will work in partnership with regional councils, Athletics Networks, local volunteers, County Sports Partnerships and other key organisations.

2.  Accountability

The Club and Coach Support Officer will be accountable to the Team Leader for their area team.

They will work in partnership with key England Athletics national staff, National and Area Coach Mentors, Run in England, Quadkids, Sportshall, UKA, Athletics Networks, Regional Council Members, Licensed coaches, Licensed Technical Officials, Athletics Clubs, County Associations, Local authorities, County Sport Partnerships, School Sports Partnerships and Sport England as required.

3.  Key Role and Responsibilities

·  Lead the effective implementation of the Local Coach Development Programme in their area including identification of local coaches to participate in the programme and to coordinate work to support their development.

·  Effectively establish relationships to provide mentoring and development support between relevant event-specific national and area coach mentors and individual coaches.

·  Be accountable for the effective delivery of support to coaches in terms of Strength and Conditioning, Psycho-behavioural skills, Fundamental Movement skills and Lifestyle.

·  Effectively and efficiently manage a delegated budget to initiate and support group and individual coach/mentor activity, as well as providing specific development opportunities tailored for each coach on the Local Coach Development Programme as required.

·  Effectively manage the local Flying Coach programme as required.

·  Lead the development of Athletics Networks in their area including provision of guidance, ideas and practical support, particularly around induction programmes, welfare, coaching structure and development plans, club policies and procedures. Support Athletics Networks to ensure compliance with funding agreements.

·  Provide support to other affiliated clubs working outside the formal Athletics Network programme with advice, guidance and support in completing funding applications to the area general funding scheme as required.

·  Lead the implementation of Clubmark within their local area and to actively promote the accreditation of clubs.

·  Establish effective relationships with key facility providers in their area as required to benefit coaches and athletes working beneath World Class Performance level – i.e. HIPACs, EIS, HE/FE sector and to improve development opportunities for coaches and athletes at this level.

·  Effectively develop and manage relationships with County Athletics Associations, Schools, competition managers and CSPs to benefit coaches and clubs.

·  Support the effective delivery of local events, workshops and seminar programmes for clubs.

4.  Direct Reports

The Club and Coach Support Officer will have no direct reports. However, there may be a future requirement for this post holder to manage or supervise staff according to the needs of the business including the supervision of Athletics Networks staff as required.

5.  Location of post

Field based. Extensive travel within the area will be required. Due to the nature of this job, you must hold a full driving licence and be a car driver.

NB. This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of the areas of activity you will be required to work and can be amended with consultation in the light of the changing needs of the organisation

Employment Benefits

Salary Band / Between £25 000 - £35 000 pro rata per annum
Contractual Status / Permanent
Annual Paid Holiday / 25 days pro rata plus 8 Statutory Bank Holidays
Hours / 35 hours per week. This role will require the post holder to work such hours as may be necessary for the proper performance of the duties of the role and specific hours cannot be determined. A flexible approach to work is required as evening and weekend working will be involved.
Other Benefits / Membership of Company Personal Pension Plan with company contributionscurrently equivalent to 7% of annual salary.
Free private medical care with option of covering family members.

Club and Coach Support Officer

Person Specification

Experience / Detailed knowledge and previous experience of the voluntary sports club sector, preferably but not necessarily within athletics. Good understanding of sports development is highly desirable.
Good coaching knowledge or evidence of ability and willingness to acquire coaching knowledge, preferably but not necessarily within athletics.
Basic Knowledge of Strength and Conditioning/Fundamental Movement Skills, Sports Psychology and Nutrition desirable.
Previous experience of mentoring skills, preferably within a coaching context.
Experience of effective management of budgets.
Skills Knowledge / Previous experience of use of project management skills.
Evidence of good presentation skills is essential.
A Degree Level Qualification such as Sports Development or other relevant subject is desirable or evidence of continuing professional development throughout career.
Full driving licence essential.
Excellent IT skills essential including use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
Communication / Able to communicate clearly and effectively verbally, in writing, by telephone and with full use of technology with a range of partners and at all levels of the organisation.
Evidence of ability to successfully engage with volunteers
Planning and Organisation / The ability to plan, organise and prioritise work and resources to ensure deadlines are met effectively and within budget. Able to consistently work to a high standard whilst paying attention to detail.
At times able to work long and unsocial hours. Able to undertake extensive travel as part of role. Ability to work without direct supervision.
Customer Care / Able to provide an exceptional level of customer service to range of customers and stakeholders. Effective listening skills essential and ability to respond to customers’ needs as appropriate.
Team Working / The ability to work as part of an effective team and to ensure that the team achieves its performance objectives.
Previous experience of working in partnership with organisations in the public, private and voluntary sector essential.
Equality and Diversity / Demonstrate awareness of and ability to work within the company’s equality and diversity Policies. Protects confidential information.
The ability to interact well with others whilst demonstrating a culture of openness, fairness, equality and empathy for the well being of colleagues and others, including listening, reflecting, checking out understanding and confronting issues without creating conflict.

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Revised September 2009