Reports to: Director - High Performance

Background: Equestrian Australia (EA) is the governing body responsible for the administration of Equestrian Sport in Australia from junior levels through to elite competition, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Australian Institute of Sport funds EA’s High Performance program to deliver sustainable performance outcomes at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Sport Australia’s 2032 Win Well strategy and our new Equestrian Australia 2028+ Integrated High Performance Plan are the key instruments driving the direction of our HP program. One of the cornerstones of our new 2028+ strategy is the delivery of a more systematic, seamless, and impactful pathway that builds depth in our pipeline, supporting and accelerating the development of future world, Olympic and Paralympic champions.

This new strategy requires a Performance Pathways leader who can turn vision into action, drive results and deliver lasting impact. The Performance Pathways Lead (Olympic) will be responsible for implementing and leading a proactive talent development system aligned with our WITTW to ensure a sustainable pipeline of athletes in the Olympic disciplines ready to contribute to our medal targets for LA 2028, Brisbane 2032 and beyond. Our pathways leader will be passionate about developing our athletes, and will work collaboratively with our technical leads, coaches, and state associations to create development environments where our athletes thrive and progress in line with our WITTW. They will be commited to fostering a Win Well High Performance culture underpinned by our values of Believe, Belong, Become.

Role Purpose: Establish and implement a systemic, impactful, and sustainable performance pathway that identifies and develops future medallists 

Postion Outcome: An oversupply of athletes meeting Emerging, Developing and Podium Potential categorisation criteria (WITTW)

Key Functions and Responsibilities: The High Performance Pathways Lead (OLY) responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Work closely with the HPD to lead and implement pathway-specific components of the EAHPfor Olympic disciplines, including operationalising strategies aligned with the Win Well To Win (WITTW) and Athlete Development Framework (ADF), and formally publishing andlaunching the ADF to provide a clear athlete pathway.
• Build strong relationships with athletes, coaches, program coordinators, and the widerequestrian community to facilitate pathway strategy delivery.
• Design and implement a cohesive state pathways coach program aligned with EquestrianAustralia’s WITTW and ADF.
• Work closely with HPD, Eventing Technical Program Lead and Eventing Operations Manager on Oceania planning and delivery.
• Collaborate with state and industry stakeholders, AIS, and EA staff to activate strategies that build depth within the performance pathway.
• Create and monitor discipline depth charts aligned with EAHP’s WITTW, assessing the athlete pipeline towards LA, Brisbane and beyond, working with discipline subject matter experts to identify actionable insights.
• Provide advice and operational support to the High Performance Program, identifying gaps and opportunities in athlete and coach pathways and implementing solutions.
• Lead the development, monitoring, and review of Individual Athlete Performance Plans(IAPPs) for pathway athletes from Pre-emerging (pre-categorisation) and Future Cycle, in collaboration with discipline technical leads, MDT, and athletes’ personal coaches.
• Drive alignment between state athlete development programs and the EAHP Pathway toensure seamless progression from regional development environments to national and international competition.
• Monitor progress and support the development of athletes and coaches within the pathway.
• Develop and deliver educational resources for Future Cycle and state squad programs to enhance holistic athlete development aligned with our ADF and WITTW.
• Work proactively and collaboratively with the HP Senior Leadership team to drive the delivery of the 2028+ HP Strategy, consistently role modelling and upholding the organisation's values and behaviours.
• Work collaboratively with National Institute Network (NIN) partners and athletes’ hometeams to ensure emerging and developing athletes have access to suitable Daily Performance Environments (DPEs), including expert developmental coaching.
• Coordinate Equestrian Australia’s High Performance Olympic discipline athlete categorisation program, ensuring compliance with AIS categorisation requirements and coordinating annual categorisation panel meetings.
• Operate within approved budgets and adhere to all EA policies and procedures.
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities as required by the High Performance Director.

Selection Criteria Required:

• Excellent network-building and relationship management skills, with the ability to positively influence and work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Outstanding organisational and time management abilities, with competence in multi-tasking and prioritising.
• High attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Understanding of the Australian HP Sport System, athlete development, and high performance sport environments.
• Ability to solve problems efficiently and effectively, delivering positive outcomes or solutions.
• Proven track record in managing performance pathways or development programs in a HP sport setting and delivering transformational impact.
• Level of competency with various software programs including but not limited to e.g. Word, Excel, Point, report writing, etc, presentation skills required to present at stake holder meetings.

Desirable: 

• Understanding of the equestrian landscape and culture both domestically and internationally.

Additional Requirements:

• Full working rights in Australia
• Working with children/vulnerable people check.
• This role may require out-of-hours and weekend work, as well as some interstate travel.