A truly outstanding opportunity at senior management level with one of the most progressive National Governing Bodies sport within the UK. 

British Canoeing is the internationally recognised governing body for paddle sports in the UK, encompassing canoeing, kayaking, rafting and stand-up paddleboarding.

This is a new senior role, created to provide strategic leadership for the development of the Olympic, Paralympic and non-Olympic disciplines. British Canoeing Is already successful on the international stage in many of the  Paddlesport disciplines with the Great Britain teams finishing top of the combined Canoeing Olympic and Paralympic medal table at the Rio 2016 Games, winning four Olympic and five Paralympic medals. Great Britain is one of the most successful countries in international competitions, winning around 80-90 medals across the disciplines in European and World Championships each year. 

British Canoeing has been through a positive transformation since 2016, enjoying a period of growth and on track to deliver many of the ambitious goals set within the strategic plan Stronger Together 2017-2021. Over two million adults and children in the UK will take part in some form of paddling each year. Today there are over 62,000 members of British Canoeing and this has grown from 32,000 over the last 4 years. Over 12,000 coaches are registered with British Canoeing with strong competition pathways in most disciplines.

The Role 
Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director of Paddlesport will be required to provide leadership and management to the World Class Programme, England Talent Programme and Events team. The role will provide direction and strategic leadership to enable delivery of the British Canoeing long term vision and strategy. Core responsibilities will include but not be limited to: 

• Full responsibility for the strategic oversight, executive support and scrutiny of the World Class Programme and England Talent policies and programmes.
• Provide strategic oversight and support to the talent and performance policies and programmes of the non-Olympic competition disciplines.
• Deliver strategic leadership and ensure outstanding delivery and future growth for international events hosted in the UK,
• Effective leadership and management of the Paddlesport staff team, including Performance Director, Head of England Talent and Head of Events, to ensure the effective delivery of the objectives within the 4-year strategic plan and annual plans.
• As a member of the Senior Management Team play a full part in the collective responsibility for setting the strategic direction for the whole organisation.
• Work closely with UK Sport, English Institute of Sport, BOA, BPA, Sport England and Home Country National Associations and other key stakeholders working alongside the World Class Performance Programme.
• Represent British Canoeing on the British Olympic Association National Olympic Committee (BOA) and British Paralympic Association National Paralympic Committee (BPA).
• Develop a strong working relationship with the International Canoeing Federation in relation to the development of Olympic/Paralympic disciplines and major events
• Ensure that the organisation’s Values are embedded across all areas of the directorate. 

The Person 

• Broad-based senior leadership experience within performance sport, successfully leading a team operating in the area of talent and performance development.
• Exceptional track record of achievement in turning strategies into effective reality, navigating organisational complexities and challenges.
  A strong understanding of coaching, sport science and medicine, international competition and talent pathways.
• Excellent planning and organisation skills, resourceful, resilient and innovative, with the ability to manage a range of different priorities.
• Significant experience of working at a senior level with multiple partners, stakeholders and volunteers to achieve success including working with public funding agencies.
• Experience of overseeing the strategic delivery and growth of high-profile events advantageous.
• Highly developed leadership and management skills with a proven record of establishing a culture of collaboration, team working, innovation and support.
• A proven ability to engage and inspire others in the development and delivery of a shared vision and purpose 
• Interpersonal skills and judgement which inspire confidence and trust in staff, volunteers, stakeholders and other organisations.
• Degree or equivalent vocational qualification in sports science or other relevant discipline, or evidence of compensatory work experience.