ICE HOCKEY UK

Head of Performance  (Full Time or 4 days per week)

REPORTS TO: CEO, Ice Hockey UK

SALARY: Circa £30,000 – £38,000, pro rata and dependent on experience

BENEFITS: Pension Contributions, allowable expenses

HOLIDAYS: 25 days per year plus statutory days

HOURS OF WORK: A minimum of 35 hours per week (full-time) and may include evenings, weekends, public holidays as well as time out of the country for fixtures/training camps.

LOCATION: Home based but with travel around the UK, and internationally on occasion.

Introduction

Ice Hockey UK (IHUK) is the nationally and internationally recognised national governing body (NGB), also responsible for developing elite ice hockey in the UK, and is affiliated to the International Ice Hockey Federation. IHUK has recently entered into a new partnership with UK Sport to develop plans to qualify for and perform successfully in major championships including the Olympic Games in the next 8-12 years.

IHUK works in close partnership with UK Sport, English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA), Scottish Ice Hockey (SIH), the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL), The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), Ice Hockey UK Referee Section (IHUKRS) and Ice Rink Managers Association (IRMA).

IHUK is now recruiting a Head of Performance. This is a new role within the organisation.

The Role 

The Head of Performance is responsible for the development and delivery of IHUK plans to provide elite level squad coaching and support services to the GB senior and junior squad players in the UK, leading to consistent performances at a world class level and qualification to major championships including the Olympic and Youth Olympic Games.

Further to a new agreement with UK Sport, IHUK now has the funding, the opportunity and the ambition to create this new Performance role, to manage the teams, raise performance standards and for GB to achieve even more international success.

Reporting directly to the CEO, with input from the GB Programme Technical Director, she/he will have responsibility to further develop a high-performance culture, allowing IHUK to succeed in the strategic vision.

The Head of Performance will have direct reports from Coaching, Sports Science and Analysis, and will be required to present regularly to the GB Programme Committee.

Main Responsibilities  

  • Establish and manage, a high performing team of goal-focused staff and coaches with expertise and complementary skills who collaborate, innovate, and work together to achieve the mission of IHUK
  • Establish a performance vision and lead positive change to a world-class environment and medal-winning culture
  • Take responsibility for the production and delivery of the IHUK four-year performance plan, and through the CEO be accountable to the Board for its effective delivery
  • Report to the Board on the delivery of the programme and progress towards the agreed performance indicators
  • Work with the CEO on the preparation and submission of funding applications to maximise public funding investment, to support delivery of the organisation’s performance strategy
  • Ensure the effective delivery of all aspects of the annual performance plans, including but not limited to;
  • The coaching structure and plans for preparation and competition
  • Squad structures and squad training
  • Selection policies and processes
  • Activity plans and logistics for training camps, competitions, events, etc.
  • Performance reviews of all performance staff and athletes
  • Liaise effectively with the home nation association (HNA) programmes, particularly around the talent and age group programmes which link to the GB teams
  • Effectively manage technical and support staff and key volunteers who are involved in programme delivery
  • Ensure that the IHUK Anti-Doping policy, welfare policies, safeguarding policies are fully integrated by all those involved in the Performance Programme
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with athletes, staff and partners in line with the organisational values
  • Develop and foster key relationships with the CEO and Chair, athletes, coaches, support staff, the home nation governing bodies, the Elite League, the British Olympic Association, the International Ice Hockey Federation and other key stakeholders who are contributing to the key objectives of the programme
  • Liaise effectively with key public funding partners, including UK Sport, Sport England and other parties around matters relating to the funding and delivery of the programme
  • Be prominent on the international stage to ensure that good relationships with the International Ice Hockey Federation and other national Federations to support programme goals
  • Identify programme risks on a quarterly basis and ensure appropriate strategies are in place to address them
  • Take budget management responsibility for the programme, including the effective production of annual budgets and allocation in line with agreed budgets

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience 

The successful candidate is likely to be able to demonstrate most of the following requirements of the role;

  • Experience in a performance-based sports role, either as a coach, senior practitioner or performance manager
  • Comprehensive understanding of high-performance requirements in a sports environment, including a deep understanding of; coaching, sport science, analysis and culture development.
  • Athlete focused with demonstrable focus on athlete and coach welfare and management
  • Ability to lead small teams and build organisational talent effectively
  • Strong planning and organisation skills with experience of leading effective change management initiatives
  • Developing and maintaining strategic relationships with the ability to build trust and confidence with stakeholders
  • Innovative thinker with a track record of exceptional achievement in turning strategies into effective reality to achieve sustained success
  • Outstanding leadership capabilities supported by an energetic, persuasive and engaging personality and the skill to balance driving for results with instilling a culture of collaboration, team working, innovation and support
  • Outstanding communication skills – written, verbal and presentation
  • Good self-awareness, emotional intelligence
  • Clear ability to work under pressure, manage multiple projects and achieve deadlines
  • Integrity with the ability to deal with sensitive matters

Other Requirements 

  • Ability to work away from home, with weekend working, irregular hours and significant travel abroad
  • Full UK driving license and access to a vehicle

Please note, IHUK is committed to inclusion, embracing the spirit of equalities legislation, as outlined in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy, available on our website or by clicking here.

How to apply 

To apply, please provide a one-page covering letter stating what you will bring to the role, your salary expectations and notice period, as well as your CV – this should be sent to: 
careers@icehockeyuk.co.uk

Closing date for applications is 3rd July 2023.

Selection Process

It is envisaged that interviews will take place during the weeks commencing 10th July 2023.