Hockey Head Coach

The University 
 
At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.   

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.  Further information about the University can be found here

The Role and Department 

The Department and role purpose  

The Student Enrichment Directorate is striving to play a pivotal role in developing, delivering and transforming a Wider Student Experience that is as impactful as anything in the world. We remain steadfast in our core commitment to accelerating the growth of far-reaching and market-leading programmes across performance , participation and community outreach and engagement, whilst fostering a culture that safeguards academic excellence . We are guided by the belief that an investment in the Wider Student Experience is ultimately an investment in the quality of graduates that the University produces and are motivated by the opportunity to engage and inspire the next generation of talent. In doing so, we feel confident that we are making a positive contribution to the development of rounded, global citizens.

Sport

Durham University is one of Europe’s leading sport universities and has been ranked in the top three team sport university’s since 2013. In 2019 the University completed the construction of a £32m Sports & Wellbeing Park, adding to a prior investment, on the same site, of £8m in 2012 making it the sporting facility in the north of England.  As a result of the amazing work that has been carried out across our performance, participation and community networks the University was awarded the Times and Sunday Times Sports University of the Year for 2022/23,

Hockey is a leading sport at Durham and the Head Coach will play a pivotal role within both men’s and women’s hockey and the wider Team Durham coaching team.  Both clubs have had amazing success over the last few years and this appointment is critical to maintain that momentum.  The programme for both genders spans BUCS and England Hockey National League programmes.  The University is also an England Hockey Talent Academy nurturing the best young hockey players in the North East of England.

Primarily the Head Coach will:

·        Lead and develop the men’s and women’s hockey programme;

·        lead coach to the men’s programme and provide oversight to the other part time and support coaches of the men’s and women’s programme

·        build a network of part time and volunteer coaches to underpin support across all of the representative teams

·        be involved in the recruitment of the best men’s and women’s hockey players at both undergraduate and post graduate level;

·        develop relationships both internally and externally for the benefit of the programme, with particular reference to the England, Scotland and Welsh hockey federations, GB Hockey, British Universities and Colleges Sport and hockey playing schools;

 
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. 
 
Working at Durham  
 
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:  
 
•    30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.   
•    The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
•    We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled  into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS). 
•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. 
•    There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.  
•    Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. 
•    On site nursery is available and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year.
•    Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). 
•    The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community 
•    Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.  
•    A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.  
•    If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. 

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion 

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.   As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. 
 
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. 

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification  
  
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.  Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.    
  
Your application should cover the following criteria:  

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1.      Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).

2.      Professional practitioner, Level 3 Coach (or equivelant) or above with significant coaching experience or;  Playing experience at a high level with evidence of coaching experience and a commitment to gain coaching qualifications to at least level 3

3.      experience of coaching at either BUCS National League or EH National League level and a proven track record of developing national level winning squads.

4.      Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting change and service improvements. 

5.      Experience of leading multi-disciplinary teams.

6.      Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of stakeholders and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.

7.      A proven hockey network that will enable the University to recruit the best under graduate and post graduate student athletes.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

8.      Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

9.      Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including for, example, performance analysis programmes.

10.   Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.

11.   Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.

12.   Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

13.   Ability to contribute to planning at an operational level.

14.   Knowledge of performance hockey within the UK

Desirable Criteria 

1.      a working knowledge of British Universities and College Sport.

2.      experience of and / or knowledge of Higher Education hockey.

3.      experience of working with student teams.

How to Apply
    
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). 
 
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.    
   
Submitting your application  
 
We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. 
   
What you need to submit    
 
•    A CV: and    
•    A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.     

Contact details    
   
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Gareth Weaver Tyler - [email protected]
 
Typical Role Requirements  

Service Delivery/Development

·        Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

·        Manage the delivery of Team Durham's performance Hockey programmes to a high standard and ensure that they are delivered in a student focussed way.

·        Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from students and the multi-disciplinary support team and contribute to ideas and service improvements.

·        Work with your team to look for ways to improve the programme and relevant processes across all areas of your work.

·        Contribute to the delivery of activities that generate external income fundraising opportunities and alumni engagement.

·        Support activities which enhance the wider student experience student leadership.

Planning and Organisation

·        Manage the delivery of operational activities carried out by the other coaching staff, which you are responsible for.

·        Continually seek to enhance the services provided to the students and plan and implement any required improvements.

·        Seek feedback from students and associated staff so that the programmes are being adapted to meet customer expectations and to plan future requirements.

·        Manage and monitor the performance of the other hockey coaches and make recommendations to relevant Service Heads on how it can be improved.

·        Review data on the level of service provided by your area to recommend areas for future improvement.

·        Manage budgets and expenditure.

Team Development

·        Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by devolving and delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members.

·        Carry out regular performance reviews to provide feedback on team and individual objectives and expectations and identify any development needs.

·        Ensure that your team continues to develop by coaching and mentoring team members and delivering any training needs.

·        Support the welfare and wellbeing of your team referring more complex issues to specialist services.

Communication/Liaison

·        Use your operational expertise to participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.

·        Keep stakeholders updated by sharing key service information about the Hockey programme.

·        Use the best media and method to communicate with internal and external stakeholders.

·        Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers.

·        Use your expertise to participate in and monitor communities of practice and partnership working, both internally and externally.

·        Any other reasonable duties.

Useful links:
Team Durham - Durham University

BUCS British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS)

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University  which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.    

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.