Reporting to the High Performance Director, the High Performance Pathways Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, people management and operational delivery of the overall performance pathways program and initiatives across the Australian Sailing high performance program. Will serve as an active participant and member of Australian Sailing’s high performance program program’s management team.
Work collaboratively with the valued AIS and State Institute/Academies of Sport partners to drive the systems, planning and programs to accelerate athlete and coach development at national performance pathway, state and targeted club level. This role will be supported by the sport-specific technical sailing expertise of Australian Sailing’s Technical Director and Sailing State Program Leads / Head Coaches, HP Pathways Athlete & Coach Development Lead, National Coaches and staff where applicable).
Principle Accountabilities
Support the objectives and strategic priorities of Australian Sailing’s High Performance (HP) Strategy 2032+ to build a pool of sailors and coaches to deliver repeatable success (on and off the water) in the LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic cycles.
In collaboration with the HP Director and key internal stakeholders, lead and execute the performance pathway elements of Australian Sailing’s HP Strategy 2032+, State Sailing Pathways Program (SSPP) and additional state-based programs to ensure alignment, prioritisation of resources and effective delivery of athlete and coach development initiatives.
Engage, connect and build strong relationships with key stakeholders across the sailing community, and the broader sport system network, leveraging resources, expertise and investment.
Line manage Australian Sailing employed staff across the decentralised national performance pathways workforce, enabling effective class coverage across the national performance pathways system and athlete/coach mobility across the national system and up and down levels as required.
Develop and deliver the annual camps and tours for National Futures Squads and direct the delivery and execution of interstate collaboration opportunities.
Oversee the selection/categorisation processes for Pre-Emerging, Emerging and Developing level athletes, SSPPs and tours where athletes access class specific domestic and international coaching support - aligned to Australian Sailing’s Athlete Development Framework – What It Takes To Win (ADF-WITTW).
Ensure that performance pathways has a good understanding of ‘on the radar’ (below the HP system) sailors that may have high performance potential in identified classes and can engage with them and their parents, guardians and any significant others to offer advice and pathway visibility.
Oversee a range of HP education / training workshops in collaboration with Performance Pathways, National Squads and other relevant Australian Sailing HP program staff.
Manage the national performance pathways budget and all State Institute/Academy of Sport (SIS/SAS) partnership agreements within the National Institute Network (NIN), inclusive of serving as the primary point of contact for SIS/SAS Program Managers and AIS Pathways Team.
Develop and maintain effective system evaluation and reporting processes to ensure programs can understand their identified gaps, plan and report effectively.
Ensure athletes and coaches are working in safe and effective daily performance environments and have robust and holistic development plans in place.
Ensure Australian Sailing’s performance pathways program is understood, visible, and relevant to stakeholders.
Lead the implementation and ongoing delivery of the Australian Sailing Performance Pathways Leadership Team made up of SIS/SAS State Sailing Program Leads and Head Coaches.
Lead the NSW SSPP planning, delivery, and monitoring/review of the NSWIS Sailing program
Support in the design of a stakeholder management plan to support building and maintain relationships.
Undertake administrative responsibilities, including regular progress reports and operational/logistics meetings with AS, NSWIS or performance pathways staff in the timelines required.
Participate in regular AST and/or AS Performance Pathway Team Meetings via video conference and/or in person where required.
Work with relevant Performance Pathway staff to produce and action an agreed professional development plan (IDP).
Work closely with the state pathways coordinator to support agreed underpinning camps, key youth regattas and/or other initiatives, aimed at strengthening and developing the pathway toward performance programs e.g. Any #Nextgen activity.
Attend and actively participate in identified sailing initiatives across the state to aid athlete and coach development within the underpinning club and class association network and inform talent identification for future NSWIS SSPP selections.
Adhere to AS/NSWIS values and behaviours while operating within their environment.
Adhere AS/NSWIS policies and guidelines and report any breaches to relevant bodies.
Support the maintenance of all supplied equipment to the NSWIS program.
Oversee the delivery of collaborative Australian Sailing and NIN projects (i.e. Sail Our Way).
Attributes
Qualifications & Experience
Tertiary qualifications in sport management, coaching, sport science or related field.
Demonstrable experience in HP strategy development, execution and stakeholder engagement.
Experience in the design, development and execution of successful HP athlete and coach development programs.
Knowledge & Skills
Excellent leadership qualities with a strong emphasis on people management, communication, setting direction and driving accountability.
Collaborative leadership and management style designed to drive connection, engagement and sharing.
Demonstrated contemporary understanding of the drivers and barriers towards performance pathway performance, and the ability to develop strategies toward enhancing athlete and coach development.
A confident presenter and communicator, with a high level of interpersonal skills, with excellent relationship management, influencing and listening skills.
Ability to lead and motivate a successful team in line with Australian Sailing values and behaviours.
Innovative approach to addressing complex and challenging problems with a strong orientation to learning.
Personal Attributes
A genuine passion for performance pathway athlete and coach development.
Personal and professional values that align with the organisational values of respect, integrity, teamwork and excellence.
Ability to build and sustain effective and productive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Outcomes focused with a strong desire to make a positive contribution.
Flexible and adaptable with respect to working outside of traditional working hours as the position will require face to face interaction with clubs and other stakeholder organisations. The role will involve travel and weekend and after-hours work.
