Director of Sport

Who are Habs?

We are a diverse community, and we nurture a global perspective and a deep sense of responsibility for the world in which our pupils will lead and succeed. Our broad curriculum and co-curricular provision prepare pupils for success wherever their passion may take them. Ambition, Curiosity, Courage and Community are the core beliefs that we stand for here at Habs.

Join our team and unlock your potential!

The Director of Sport will have a significant responsibility to lead and shape all aspects of sport and exercise at Habs Girls, from Reception to the Sixth Form. They will be expected to embody the School’s ethos and values and be a role model for staff and students.

Responsibilities:

The Director of Sport will play a leading role in the future of sport and exercise at Habs. We believe that mass participation and high-performance sport should exist together, and the Director of Sport will have the vision, ambition and skills to ensure this balance. They will bring a strategic perspective to the current provision and develop and articulate a clear, far reaching and compelling vision for the future of sport and exercise at Habs, that supports both excellence through competition and the engagement and wellbeing of all pupils through physical activity.

They will communicate this vision within and beyond the community, as an ambassador for the school, bringing energy and clarity to engage and enthuse pupils, staff, and parents and the wider community, in order to promote a culture of positive and ambitious participation for all students in sport, physical activity and exercise.

They will provide inspirational leadership to a team of committed teachers and coaches, and develop the team to ensure the continued retention, recruitment and induction of outstanding staff. They will foster strong, supportive relationships within the team and with a range of internal and external stakeholders. They will critically monitor and review the programme to ensure that teaching and coaching is consistently excellent, and that expectations and outcomes are appropriate high across different sports and wider activities, including Academic PE and Junior School Sports.

The Director of Sport will report to the Deputy Head Co-Curricular, Admissions and Events and will work closely with the Director of Sport at Habs Boys. Alongside sport and exercise in the Senior School, they will oversee provision in the Junior School through the line-management of the Head of Junior School Sport.

In a large and dynamic school environment, the Director of Sport will lead a thriving sports programme alongside other areas of school life. They will oversee the day to day running of the Department, delegating as necessary, and be responsible for the effective planning and administration of all aspects of the programme, including the structure and staffing of the PE and sports programme, related budgets and major events. They will provide clear and extensive communication to ensure sport thrives alongside other activities. Close liaison with other areas of the School, such as pastoral leaders, the Grounds and Estates Teams, and external users will be important.

What We Look For:

Habs Girls seeks an outstanding candidate to appoint to this pivotal role. The Director of Sport will be an inspirational and dynamic leader with a clear vision of the future of school sport, exercise and physical activity. They will bring a strong awareness of the landscape and trends within the sector and nationwide, together with a clear understanding of the standards, behaviours and expectations that accompany this. They will be able to balance varied and competing demands to ensure the highest quality of provision in all areas, from competitive high-performance sports to the nurturing of an inclusive culture which values exercise, fitness and wellbeing for all pupils.

They will be an articulate and engaging communicator, able to relate to and build relationships with a large and varied constituency of colleagues, pupils and parents. They will role model the School’s values, acting as an authoritative figurehead for physical activity within the school, championing an active community and ensuring positive experiences for pupils of all ages and abilities. They will be a credible ambassador for the School, able to steward and cultivate the School’s reputation for physical activity on a wider stage. They will be approachable and personable, able to develop and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, pupils and parents.

They will be highly efficient and organised, able to manage a large games programme and substantial budgets. Above all they will be the ability, tact and experience to lead, manage and develop a large and happy team of committed professionals to deliver against the School’s ambitions.

The School invites applications from candidates with a variety of backgrounds with experience of leadership within schools, or in other sports environments. A degree in a sports-related subject is essential, with qualifications in coaching or teaching desirable. The capacity to coach one or more of the School’s major sports is essential.

The role presents a unique opportunity to drive forward the School’s ambitions and will suit a strong, committed and determined professional who has the energy and aspiration to lead this important area of school life into the future.

What we are offering:

• A competitive salary, commensurate with ​the candidate’s experience and the size of the School​​.
• Additional life insurance cover, access to Employee Assistance .
• Financial assistance for obtaining further qualifications​.
• Extensive professional development training opportunities​.
• 50% discount on school fees for children at any of the Elstree Schools​.
• Free lunch and refreshments during ​term time​.
• Free onsite parking or access to travel on the schools extensive coach network​​.
• Free access to sports facilities and well-being programmes for staff​.

Closing date: 8am, 16 April 2024

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Candidates should note that all appointments are subject to an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service and references from past employers.

Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS record check.