Executive Director of Sport

St Mary’s Calne is a leading independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11-18. St Margaret’s Prep, which is part of the family, is a preparatory school for boys and girls aged 2-11. As a community, we thrive amidst a culture of high expectations and the education and extra-curricular opportunities we provide enable our pupils to develop into well-rounded individuals who are equipped to excel as adults. We also cater for the needs of the local community with a Sports Centre that offers excellent facilities for all.

Following an internal review, we are excited to be recruiting for a new senior position within the organisation: Executive Director of Sport (EDoS).

The EDoS will be responsible for the dynamic and effective strategic and operational leadership of sport and physical activity at St Mary’s. The post holder will also be responsible for the effective operation of the St Mary’s Calne Tennis Academy and the St Mary’s Sports Centre (a separate trading company) to optimise their contribution to both schools’ sport & physical activity and income generation.

The EDoS will need to develop an operational strategy to deliver the schools’ vision and will be responsible for operational plans and budgets in relevant areas. In particular, they will work with the Head of PE at St Mary’s, the Director of Sport at St Margaret’s, the Sports Centre Manager and the Head of the Tennis Academy, to ensure the smooth running and collaborative interaction between all elements.   

Specific duties will include providing leadership and development for all areas of sporting activity, including curricular and co-curricular strategy, operations and facilities, working with the Executive Board and the Sports Centre Manager to develop and deliver a coherent strategy for maximising income generation from SMC’s sport and physical activity facilities and ensuring that all teaching, coaching and operational staff are striving to achieve levels of excellence in all aspects of their work.

The EDoS will be a visible, inspiring presence for staff, pupils and parents by making, where possible, a clear contribution to the activity and sport programmes in SPA and through weekly attendance at fixtures and events. They will also understand the need to develop performance athletes and teams with an appreciation for the need to encourage participation and enjoyment for all.

The successful candidate will possess an up to date knowledge of the landscape of sport in the UK with particular reference to school sports and will also have experience of the strategic leadership of an organisation or department to set and achieve a clear vision. An understanding of curriculum PE, particularly an awareness of scheduling and timetable constraints and experience of leading a diverse team that includes both teaching and support staff would be desirable but is not essential. They will also have excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation and influencing skills.

This could be a teaching or non-teaching role.

This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week, all year round. Office hours are 8.30am to 5.00pm but this can be flexible if required. Salary for this position is dependant on experience but would be expected to be in the region of £55-£60,000 per annum.

Closing date for applications:  Monday 1st November 2021