At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the talent pathway for sailing, ensuring development from entry to elite levels.
- Company: The Royal Yachting Association, a key player in British boating and sailing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, pension contributions, and discounts on various services.
- Other info: Flexible working options and opportunities for national travel.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of sailing and develop champions for tomorrow.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in talent systems and a qualified coach in sailing or equivalent sport.
The predicted salary is between 57000 - 65000 £ per year.
The Royal Yachting Association, based in Hamble, near Southampton, is the national governing body for all forms of recreational, competitive and professional boating. It represents dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sportsboats, windsurfing, inland cruising and personal watercraft.
Salary: £57,000 - £65,000 per annum, depending on experience
Hours: Full-time - 35 hours per week (Monday - Friday)
Location: Hamble, Southampton (hybrid working) with national travel; flexible/field-based working as required
The Mission: Realising the Talent
We are on a mission: to double active participation in sailing and boating in 10 years. A strong and aligned pathway is critical to the long-term success of British Sailing. We are seeking a strategic, visionary Head of Pathway to lead our UK Sport and Sport England funded talent system, working towards our ultimate aim: "Creating sailors for Life and Developing the Champions of Tomorrow".
You will lead a complex system of programmes, partners, and stakeholders to embed the Sailor Development Framework. By ensuring clear progression routes and consistent development approaches, you will build a connected, aligned, and high‐performing environment that smoothly transitions athletes from their first entry into the sport all the way to the World Class Olympic and Paralympic programmes.
What You Will Do
- Embed the Philosophy: Lead and firmly embed the Sailor Development Framework and our long‐term athlete development philosophy across all stages of the talent pathway.
- Oversee the Pathway: Oversee the delivery of critical national pathway programmes, including the Pathway Club, Recognised Class Programme, England Talent Academies, British Sailing Youth Team, Diploma in Sporting Excellence, Para Pathway, and Talent Inclusion initiatives like Wavemakers.
- Lead a High‐Performing Team: Provide direct leadership to the Youth Racing Manager, Junior Racing Manager, Youth Head Coach, and WaveMakers Manager, while fostering a culture of trust, alignment, and autonomy across the wider distributed network of coaches and class associations.
- Align the System: Act as the key connector across the sport. You will drive alignment of pathway aims across a broad stakeholder group, including Home Country programmes, classes, coaches, parents, and funders.
- Collaborate for Growth: Work hand‐in‐hand with the Growth, Learning & Volunteering, and Competition departments to ensure a connected end‐to‐end system. You will also partner with the Performance Pathway Manager to ensure high‐potential sailors are effectively transitioned into the World Class programme.
- Resource & Risk Management: Accountable for deploying talent pathway resources effectively to maximise impact and value for money, while embedding strict safeguarding, safety, and inclusive practices across all delivery.
Who You Are (Essential Qualifications & Experience)
- A Proven Talent Leader: You bring proven leadership of talent and development systems within a National Governing Body or high‐performance youth sport context.
- An Experienced Systems Manager: You have a minimum of 5 years of management experience in the development and implementation of performance and pathway systems.
- An Experienced Operator: You possess a firm understanding of the governance requirements of sport programmes, including policy design, anti‐doping regulations, and safeguarding protocols.
- A Strategic Scaler: You have extensive knowledge of programme design and scaling across multiple regions and partners.
- Network Savvy: You possess a deep, practical understanding of junior and youth class dynamics and the realities of club environments.
- A Talent Developer: You have expert knowledge of the principles of talent development and how to apply them effectively within complex talent systems.
- Qualified & Ready: You are a qualified coach (Sailing RCL2 or other sports equivalent) and hold a valid driving licence to support national delivery.
The RYA offers a range of benefits which include:
- 36 days holiday including public holidays
- Birthday day off
- 10% RYA contribution to a personal pension scheme
- Free life insurance
- Discounts platform for retail, entertainment, holidays & gym membership
- Free charging point for electric vehicles whilst on your working days at the office
Head of Pathway in Hamble employer: Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
The Royal Yachting Association, located in the picturesque Hamble near Southampton, is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a vibrant work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a strong commitment to realising talent in sailing and boating, the RYA offers competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and unique benefits such as a personal pension scheme and discounts on various services, all while promoting a flexible working environment that encourages collaboration and innovation.
Contact Details:
Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Pathway in Hamble
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Pathway in Hamble
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining Royal Yachting Association (RYA) aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Royal Yachting Association (RYA), make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration
In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.
