Hockey Performance Manager - Boys in Hassocks

We are delighted to announce an exciting opportunity for an exceptional Boys Hockey Performance Manager to join our Sport team, leading and further developing a sector-leading boys' hockey programme.

The primary responsibility of this role is the strategic leadership and delivery of boys' hockey across the Prep and Senior Schools. You will design, implement and review a long-term development pathway that supports mass participation, performance progression and high-level achievement, while delivering high-quality coaching within the programme, including senior performance squads. Alongside this, you will coordinate staffing, training timetables, fixtures, transport, tours and links with county, academy, regional and national pathways.

The role reports to the Head of Hockey (Whole College) and works closely with the Girls Hockey Performance Manager, the Assistant Director(s) of Sport and the Director of Sport, as well as the Strength & Conditioning and Medical teams, Admissions and the wider Sport Team.

Working at Hurst

Hurst is one of Britain's leading independent schools, offering a vibrant and supportive environment for both pupils and staff. With around 1,300 pupils across our Sixth Form, Senior School, Senior Prep and Junior Prep, we combine academic ambition with a strong sense of community and a rich co-curricular programme. More than half of pupils in the Senior School are boarders, contributing to a vibrant all-day sporting culture.

Sport sits at the heart of our belief in holistic education, developing character, leadership and aspiration alongside academic excellence. Hurst Hockey is one of the College’s flagship sports, competing at the highest level of school hockey and supporting players through county, academy, regional and national pathways. Our sporting infrastructure includes high-quality grass and all-weather hockey facilities, strength and conditioning provision, medical and physiotherapy support, and an outstanding multi-sport performance environment.

Our Sport vision is simple: Work Hard. Do Good. Engage.

You will enjoy working on a stunning 100-acre campus on the edge of the South Downs National Park, while remaining well-connected. We are just 20 minutes from the city and beaches of Brighton & Hove, and London is under an hour away by train. Hurst is a Church of England foundation, but proudly inclusive in its ethos, welcoming pupils and staff of all faiths and none. We also offer a vast range of staff benefits, including free meals during term time, use of our exceptional sports facilities, access to wellbeing initiatives, and extensive opportunities for professional development.

This isn’t just a job. It’s a commitment to something bigger. For the right person, there is nowhere more exciting to be.

The Role

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of the Boys Hockey strategic plan.
• Create and maintain a clear whole-school player development pathway from Junior Prep to Sixth Form, aligned with College expectations and national best practice.
• Drive standards of coaching, performance and player development across all age groups.
• Support the Head of Hockey in delivering a unified whole-College hockey vision, collaborating closely with the Girls Hockey Performance Manager to ensure consistency and alignment.
• Liaise with the Director of Sport regarding fixture planning, performance strategy and programme review.
• Monitor programme outcomes and produce annual reviews and development plans.

Coaching and Player Development

• Lead coaching within senior performance squads and selected age-group teams.
• Develop technically proficient, tactically aware and physically prepared hockey players.
• Establish a progressive coaching curriculum aligned to long-term athlete development principles.
• Support the identification, development and retention of talented players, including through county, academy, regional and national pathways.
• Work closely with the Strength & Conditioning and Medical teams to support holistic athlete development.
• Use performance analysis and data to inform coaching practice and player progression.
• Promote a culture of enjoyment, ambition, resilience and continuous improvement.

Programme Management

• Coordinate the day-to-day delivery of the Boys Hockey Programme and produce annual and termly hockey development plans.
• Design, publish and oversee structured weekly training timetables.
• Coordinate staffing, coaching allocations and coaching staff deployment.
• Manage fixture preparation, squad selection and matchday operations.
• Oversee transport, logistics and operational planning for training, fixtures and events.
• Organise domestic and international hockey tours in conjunction with the Director of Sport.
• Ensure effective communication with players, parents and staff.

Recruitment and External Partnerships

• Support pupil recruitment through scholarship assessments, open events and close liaison with Admissions and senior staff.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local clubs, academies, county organisations and England Hockey pathway providers.
• Promote Boys Hockey through marketing, outreach, social media and community engagement initiatives.
• Represent Hurst Hockey professionally at external events and competitions.

Safeguarding, Welfare and Compliance

• Promote and safeguard the welfare of all pupils, upholding high standards of behaviour, care and professionalism at all times.
• Maintain a safe and positive learning environment.
• Ensure all coaching activities meet safeguarding, health and safety and risk management requirements.
• Work closely with pastoral, medical and welfare teams to support pupil wellbeing.
• Maintain accurate records of attendance, participation, performance and progression.

Wider College Responsibilities

• Demonstrate a visible, professional presence throughout mid-week and Saturday sports provision in all three terms.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with pupils, parents, staff and external stakeholders.
• Support Saturday sport provision and whole-school sporting events, acting as a visible ambassador for Hurst Sport.
• Attend CPD, departmental meetings, INSET and whole-College training as required.
• Contribute positively to the wider life and culture of the College.
• Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the nature and level of the post.

Who We’re Looking For

Essential

• Proven experience leading and delivering structured hockey programmes within a school, club, academy or performance environment.
• Coaching experience across school-age pathways, including high-performing young athletes.
• England Hockey Level 2 qualification (or equivalent experience), or demonstrable expertise.
• Experience planning and delivering long-term athlete development programmes, and managing teams, fixtures and programme logistics.
• Excellent technical and tactical understanding of hockey.
• Strong organisational, administrative, communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to inspire, motivate and develop young athletes of all abilities.
• Enthusiastic, energetic and highly motivated, with a flexible and adaptable approach.
• A collaborative team player and a professional, positive role model.
• A passion for developing young people through sport, and commitment to the values and ethos of Hurstpierpoint College.

Desirable

• Experience playing hockey at National League, representative, elite or international level.
• Experience working within an independent or performance-focused school environment.
• Experience within England Hockey Talent Academy, County or Regional pathway environments.
• A sport-related degree, postgraduate or equivalent professional qualification.
• Strength and Conditioning, performance analysis or athlete monitoring experience.
• Experience organising sports tours and residential events.

Hours and Holidays

• Full-time, term time plus additional days as required for tours, pre-season, recruitment events, fixtures and hockey programme development.
• Full commitment to the College’s mid-week and Saturday sports programme across all three academic terms (Michaelmas, Lent and Summer), including training, fixtures and competitions.
• Pre-season training and preparation, and involvement in hockey tours, festivals and showcase events.
• Occasional evening and holiday commitments associated with the role.

What We Offer in Return

• Contributory pension scheme.
• Free dining during term time.
• Free on-site parking and free use of our sports facilities.
• Health and wellbeing support, and contributory private health insurance.
• Cycle to work and electric vehicle schemes.
• Extensive CPD and career development opportunities.
• An active social programme.
• An engaging and collaborative environment working alongside talented coaches and ambitious young athletes.

Hurstpierpoint College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

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