At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop high-performance swimming programmes for competitive and recreational swimmers.
- Company: Join Teddington Swimming Club, a thriving community with over 400 members in the London area.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary of £50-£55k, plus opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: This is a full-time, fixed-term role with potential for extension; apply by 31st August 2025.
- Why this job: Be part of a successful team that recently excelled at national competitions and promotes athlete wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Must have relevant coaching certifications and experience in leading competitive swimming programmes.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 46000 £ per year.
Organisation: Teddington Swimming Club Contract Type: Fixed-term contract Qualifications: Degree or equivalent Coaching: Swim England Land Training Certificate or Swim England Land Based Coaching Certificate Coaching Swimming: Swimming Coach Certificate or Level 2 Award Coaching Swimming: Swim England Open Water Swimming Coach Certificate or SEQ Level 2 Coaching Open Water Swimming Coaching Swimming: Senior Swimming Coach Certificate or Level 3 Award Coaching Swimming: Level 2 Award in British Open Water Swimming Working Hours: Full time Location: Teddington Salary: £50-£55k per anum based on experience Closing Date: 31st August 2025 23:59
Teddington Swimming Club in the Middlesex/London Region is seeking a new full-time Head Coach to start as soon as possible.
Details:
- Contract type: Fixed-term (1-year initial contract, with option to extend)
- Working hours: Full time – minimum of 20 hours pool coaching per week, plus associated administration duties and attending 25-30 gala days in each swim year (on or around 1 September – 1 August)
Job Summary
The Head Coach is responsible for overseeing the high-performance, competitive and development swimmers of our ambitious swimming club with over 400 members, including high-performance, competitive and recreational “club” swimmers.
Job Description
Following the expiration of a fixed-term contract, we are looking for a “career coach” with the vision to unite, develop and drive the Club forward. We have recently enjoyed our best summer Nationals performance with 28 swimmers qualifying to swim at one or more of Aquatics GB Next Gen, Open Water Nationals, Swim England Summer Nationals, many reaching finals and 8 achieving medals.
We are in the premier division of the Arena League (and made finals in the Junior Arena League), and the Head Coach would take the lead on picking the Arena League team. We also send a strong team to the London Youth Games and support the Richmond borough with their selections, and send a coach to the London Aquatics Centre.
Oversight and collaboration will be key to this role, with the right candidate relishing the opportunity to unite and further develop the successful Club’s high-performance, competitive and learn to swim programmes.
It is envisaged that the Head Coach will work closely with the Club’s Executive Committee and our Head of Development to progress the Club’s strategic vision, help develop other coaches and promote excellence, wellbeing, inclusion, and long-term athlete development.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and management:
- Work with the Executive Committee to ensure compliance with Swim England’s Wavepower recommended best practice, agree strategic goals for each training cycle, and coaching allocation and squad composition.
- Supervise and provide effective leadership of the swimming programme, ensuring it aligns with the Club’s strategic vision and development goals.
- Working closely with the Club’s Head of Development Coach in identifying and nurturing future talent and establishing a pathway for such swimmers into high-performance or competitive swimming.
- Manage the workload and supervisory oversight of the performance and competitive squad coaches.
- To ensure all coaching is of the highest quality in all training squads, conducting periodic performance reviews of the coaches, and agreeing on career development opportunities and additional training for coaches with the Executive Committee.
Programme planning and development:
- Plan, devise and supervise the oversight of the training programmes for the performance and competitive squads by the allocated coaches, including identifying target galas and liaising with the Gala Secretary on entries for the same.
- Oversee development squads and transition pathways in collaboration with the Head of Development Coach.
- Organise the coaches’ rota for coaching and gala attendance, in accordance with the budget agreed with the Executive Committee, including to ensure suitable staffing ratios are maintained at all times in accordance with Swim England guidance.
- Help to plan and attend/deliver the UK and overseas swim camps in accordance with the budget agreed with the Executive Committee.
- Work with the Club Secretary to produce the pool schedules, maximise water times and deliver the swim programme within the budget agreed with the Executive Committee.
- On a quarterly basis, agree and publish gala/competition calendars, including taper schedules and competitive targets for all squads.
- Develop and further integrate the open water programme into the Club’s overall attainment pathway, ensuring safe and effective progression and building both skills and confidence in open water.
Session design and delivery:
- Produce detailed, progressive session plans for the performance and competitive squads, tailored to individual and squad goals. Liaise with the Strength and Conditioning Coaches on the strength and conditioning programmes, including pre-pool, warm-up work and cool down efficacy, to seek to minimise injury.
- Support coaches in delivering engaging, technically accurate sessions across all squads, mindful of Wavepower objectives.
- Monitor session quality and coach/athlete progress through regular evaluation and coach support, and inform the Club Secretary of such evaluation outcomes.
Talent development and athlete pathways:
- Lead the Club’s talent identification and development strategy and report on the same to the Club’s Committee at least once every 6 months.
- Ensure effective transitions between squads and pathways from Learn to Swim through to competitive swimming and performance swimming, and report on the channels to the same to athletes/parents at least once every 6 months.
- Support athletes and their parents with goal setting, monitoring, injury avoidance and management, and provide long-term progression planning/goal setting for each performance swimmer at least twice per year (for example, once for the short course galas, and once for the long course galas).
- For those not on a performance pathway, ensure a route to competitive or club swimming is promoted to them, so all swimmers realise their individual swimming goals/swimming journey.
Administration and communication:
- Work closely with the Club’s Executive Committee on budgeting, staffing, reporting and club development initiatives as well as club fundraising, kit suppliers and squad socials.
- Communicate effectively and on a timely basis with the Executive Committee, swimmers, parents, and staff via newsletters, meetings, and digital platforms.
- Be fully recognisant of and compliant with Swim England regulations and safeguarding standards, including Wavepower.
- Help the Club build relationships with Swim England, the London Regionand the talent pathways.
Qualifications and Experience
- Proven experience in leading a performance swimming programme as a Head Coach for a large and competitive club.
- Strong technical knowledge of competitive swimming, including periodisation and tapering.
- Experience managing coaching staff and working collaboratively with volunteers and committees.
- Understanding of athlete development pathways, including the Swim England Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) framework.
- Proven track record of coaching swimmers to regional and national or international levels.
- Excellent communication, organisational, and planning skills.
- Hold or be working toward the Swim England Senior Swimming Coach Certificate (or equivalent).
- Up-to-date Safeguarding and Enhanced DBS clearance.
- Preferably UK national or proven right to work in the UK.
- Degree in sports science, coaching or a related field.
- Experience developing open water swimming programmes.
- Previous experience managing a Learn to Swim or development programme.
- Knowledge of current trends in sports science and youth athlete wellbeing.
- Knowledge of strength and conditioning, nutrition, and sports psychology as they relate to swimming.
- Competency in using swim-specific software (e.g., TeamUnify, Swim Manager).
- UK driving licence.
How to apply
Please send your CV, references and a summary of who you are and why you\'d be great for the role to the Club Secretary using the button below.
This vacancy may require the following qualifications:
- Degree or equivalent
- Coaching: Swim England Land Training Certificate or Swim England Land Based Coaching Certificate
- Coaching Swimming: Swimming Coach Certificate or Level 2 Award
- Coaching Swimming: Swim England Open Water Swimming Coach Certificate or SEQ Level 2 Coaching Open Water Swimming
- Coaching Swimming: Senior Swimming Coach Certificate or Level 3 Award
- Coaching Swimming: Level 2 Award in British Open Water Swimming
Head Coach in Teddington employer: Swim England
Teddington Swimming Club is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and supportive work culture that prioritises the development of both athletes and coaches. With a strong focus on excellence and inclusion, the club provides ample opportunities for professional growth, including leadership roles and collaboration with experienced committees. Located in the picturesque Teddington area, employees enjoy a fulfilling environment where they can make a meaningful impact on the lives of over 400 members, fostering talent and promoting a love for swimming.
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We think you need these skills to ace Head Coach in Teddington
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 Swim England 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 Swim England
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Swim England, 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
