REPORTS TO: National High Performance Director (NHPD)
LOCATION: High Performance Centre, Casuarina NSW
DIRECT REPORTS: Performance Support Roles & Students

ROLE PURPOSE

The Performance Support Manager within the Surfing Australia (SA) High Performance Program works as an integral lead of our team supporting Australian athletes to become the world’s best surfers and people and the position has direct impact across the entire pathway.

A background in a Performance Support discipline including Physiotherapy, Strength and Conditioning, Performance Analysis, or Biomechanics is highly desirable.

This includes;

• Supporting Head of Podium and Head of Pathway, athletes, staff and network with Performance support services to maximise performance outcomes.
• Be a key leadership role providing strategic input and performance support expertise to contribute to the SA HP Program KPI’s and meet benchmark events targets.
• Implementing and driving an integrated approach to planning, delivery, frameworks, and technology platforms internally with staff & coaches and externally with sport & system partners.
• Source and design Performance Support service provider development opportunities to address issues and themes identified by the discipline leads.
• Lead and coordinate efforts to develop and implement innovative solutions that ensures the organisation stays at the forefront of sports science and innovation

OUR CULTURE: Athlete focused, coach led, integrated performance teams

SA VALUES: Real, Progressive, Respectful, Protect

HP PROGRAM VALUES: Limitless, Authentic, Elite, Fun

KEY CHALLENGES

• Working in a fast-paced, complex multi-discipline high performance environment. 
• Working within a restricted resource environment.
• Working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders and varying agendas. 
• Adapting to ways of working that includes ‘cross discipline’ delivery of performance support requiring close liaison with discipline expertise

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Athletes: To connect, listen and understand athlete needs
• National HP Director: To ensure performance is aligned for sustainable success
• HP Program Performance Support staff: To work collaboratively to support, enable and impact optimal performance together
• Coaches: To support the delivery of sustainable high performance, athlete progression, and wellbeing
• Performance Team (s) and Preferred Provider networks: To support an integrated performance approach and collaboratively prepare our athletes to become world’s best surfers and people.
• NIN (AIS & SIS/SAS), States, AOC, and WSL: To enhance collaboration within the National system
• Sport Australia / Professional Network: To support the achievement of system and Surfing Australia HP Program outcomes and to maintain current best practice and learnings.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Lead, Facilitate and Drive Strategy

• Lead a National Strategic Framework and implementation plan process; including development of best practice resources
• Ensure a screening, testing and monitoring approach is aligned to needs, inclusive of regular communication to athletes, coach and performance support staff
• Following the SA HPP culture of Athlete focused, Coach supported integrated performance teams
• Establish mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with athletes, coaches, HP key stakeholders, other providers, teams and admin staff.
• Drive a culture that fosters and develops innovative processes, communications and accountabilities that result in process improvements.
• Lead and coordinate efforts to develop and implement innovative solutions that enhance athlete performance, coaching methodologies, and organizational processes
• Bridge the gap between cutting-edge research, applied practice, and technological advancement, ensuring the organization stays at the forefront of sports science and innovation

Champion Performance Planning Support

• Ensure prioritization of athlete performance planning is actioned
• Where applicable, assist within performance teams, work collaboratively with coaches to analyse needs of athlete, and set appropriate performance goals, develop plans, monitor and implement these plans and review periodically. 
• Actively align with strategy, direction and best practice principles set out.
• Collaborate with the Performance Team to develop, implement and monitor planning where required.
• Provide expert advice to internal or external stakeholders
• Draw conclusions and makes recommendations based on qualitative or quantitative information

Daily Performance Environment (including culture, services and camps)

• Ensure delivery of direct athlete servicing in area of expertise where required
• Promote/support a ‘performance focused culture’ and commit to continuous learning 
• Regularly attend DPE training sessions, camps and competitions to support an integrated approach to performance support needs

Performance Management

• Meet monthly with supervisor/management to discuss performance, monitor progress and consider future requirements
• Commit to developing an individual action plan and delivering on the agreed professional development plan

Operations and Reporting

• In conjunction with the NHPD assist in the development, integration, quality assurance, maintenance of SA HP Program Performance Support facilities, equipment, services & staff to ensure the sport remains at the forefront 
• ?Establish and integrate industry quality assurance standards on Performance Support modalities and mechanisms, whilst maintaining up to date operation protocols and distribution throughout the network.
• Support and/or establish, implement and maintain quality data capture, analysis and reporting process using any required system/sport platforms.
• Lead effective financial and administrative coordination requirements for disciplines where applicable.
• Attend and where appropriate lead formal meetings 
• Manage issues professionally 

General

• Represent SA as required
• Work collaboratively with other SA Departments towards organisational outcomes
• Adhere to all the SA policies and procedures, particularly the Code of Conduct
• Reflect the SA values in everyday work environment
• Comply with WHS legislation, company WHS policies, objectives and procedures. Contribute and participate in the health and safety of all staff, visitors and contractors.

SUCCESS PROFILE

Experience

• 7 + years’ experience in the provision and application of Performance Support services 
• 7 + years in multiple high performance sport environments 
• Proven success in utilizing Performance Support knowledge of planning, periodising and managing athletes across multiple seasons/campaigns to support medal-winning performance (or equivalent) at a senior international level. 
• Proven experience in using a wholistic approach to planning and monitoring athletic performance in individual athletes to achieve performance progression.
• Proven success in managing athletes across multiple season/campaigns to support medal winning performance at a senior international level.
• Demonstrated ability and commitment to work in a multi-disciplinary/sport team environment with high performance athletes / coaches. 
• Experience in developing and supervising staff to achieve performance outcomes.
• Experience in operating and managing quality control and quality assurance programs to meet compliance standards.
• Design and delivery of strategic planning and systems / processes to deliver improved business performance
• Demonstrated technical expertise in the maintenance and technical operation of a variety of sport science equipment for testing and monitoring purposes.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse data, interpret results and produce reports for influencing athletic training programs. 
• Proven experience in presenting Performance Support related information for enhanced performance.

Knowledge

• Relevant tertiary qualification (post graduate qualifications are desirable) 
• ASCA Level 2 (minimum) qualification is desirable. 
• Demonstrated understanding of theory and modern coaching philosophies and the application of such for the development of high performance training programs 
• Knowledge and understanding of Australian High Performance sport systems
• Knowledge of the current trends, structure and dynamics in international level Surfing in the areas of coaching, sports science and sport medicine
• Understanding the requirements of High Performance athletes and coaches
• Have completed ASADA level 1 and 2 eLearning courses
• Intermediate/Advanced knowledge of MS Office and other sports specific computer programs
• First aid and resuscitation certificate
• Working with children check
• Current driver’s license 

Competencies

• Influencing
• Strategic planning 
• Leading in complexity
• Compelling Communication
• Facilitating Change
• Aligning Performance for Success
• Coaching and Developing Others
• Operational Decision Making
• Delegation and Empowerment
• Driving for Results
• Monitoring Information
• Building Partnerships
• Building Teams
• Creating a Culture of Trust
• Sound financial and administrative skills

Personal Attributes

• Strong ambition for athletes
• High-involvement leader 
• High responsibility/accountability 
• Detail oriented
• Innovative 
• Practical 
• Continuous learner 
• Energy
• Respectful

PLEASE NOTE:

• This position is required to travel domestically and/or internationally.
• This position requires/may require weekend work, or outside ordinary work hours.
• The successful candidate for this role will be subject to a National Police Criminal History Check prior to appointment.
• The successful candidate for this role will be required to undertake a Security Clearance. 

Citizenship/Visa: You must be an Australian citizen, have permanent residency status or a visa permitting you to work in Australia. You are required to notify surfing Australia if your right to work in Australia ceases.