High Performance Leadership Role
This is an exciting opportunity to lead a dynamic, forward-looking team in elite sport. As Performance Director, you will be responsible for the strategic leadership and delivery of the High-Performance programme, as well as all elements related to High Performance contained in our Strategic Plan.
The successful candidate will have a background and recent experience of leading a team operating in elite sport, demonstrating highly developed leadership and management skills. They will also have a proven record of establishing a culture of performance management, collaboration, team working, innovation, and support.
Key Responsibilities:
1. System Governance: Manage financial aspects effectively through preparing, monitoring, and managing budgets. Develop and maintain strong relationships with key external stakeholders contributing to key objectives of performing at Olympic and Paralympic Games, World Championships, and other key events. Ensure all required reporting for funding partners, OFI, and PI are completed to an exceptional standard, on time, and in collaboration with the staff team.
2. Athlete Development: Design and deliver tailored coach development programmes that align with the needs of high-performance and potential high-performance coaches. Collaborate with coaching staff to ensure continual professional growth that optimises athlete performance outcomes. Monitor athlete performance outcomes, implement appropriate interventions, and adjust plans based on individual and team needs. Build trusting relationships that encourage feedback, personal accountability, and commitment to long-term goals.
3. Team Management: Maintain and oversee a robust performance management system, including regular staff reviews, feedback processes, and the creation of individual professional development plans. Ensure all full-time performance staff have clearly defined work programmes with goals aligned to organisational objectives. Foster a high-performance culture through accountability, clarity of expectations, and continuous improvement.
4. Partnerships: In partnership with Marketing Lead, work to develop an identity and profile for triathlon at all levels within High Performance via media opportunities, attendance at competitions, and wherever possible at cross-sport forums/seminars etc. Build a strong relationship with TI Development Team, engage, and influence Development Programmes. Maintain and develop partnerships with key stakeholders, including Sport Ireland, Sport NI, Performance Institutes, OFI, Paralympics Ireland.
5. System Development: Foster a cohesive, inclusive, and high-performance team culture that strengthens identity, collaboration, and excellence across the performance environment. Lead and support key staff to ensure the effective delivery of integrated technical services that enhance athlete performance trajectories. Contribute actively as a member of the Executive Team, influencing broader strategic and operational matters across the Federation. Oversee the design and implementation of robust Olympic and Paralympic talent pathways, ensuring effective athlete identification, recruitment, and long-term development. Champion a culture of consultation, open dialogue, and inclusion across all areas of the performance and organisational structure.
Person Specification:
• A background and recent experience of leading a team operating in elite sport, demonstrating highly developed leadership and management skills with a proven record of establishing a culture of performance management, collaboration, team working, innovation, and support.
• Previous experience and understanding of working with young emerging athletes, understanding of additional vulnerabilities associated with that group and how to support them.
• Understanding of the importance of the skillset of the team working with this age group and the impact this could have on the young person long term.
• Excellent relationship building and communication skills – communicates effectively, clearly, and confidently in written, verbal, and electronic forms.
• Tech savvy, experience, and understanding of the power of technology to connect hybrid and remote teams.
• Evidence of establishing a performance vision, culture, and systematic approach to performance - enhancing a culture that puts athlete welfare at the core of all decision making.
• Experience in delivering performance reports to a broad range of stakeholders, including HPC, Board, funders etc.
• On-site leadership at UL, visible to staff, athletes, and external coaches.