Head Of Podium Program

Reports to:
National High Performance Director

Roles that report to this role:
Coaches (internal & external), Filmer, operations manager, judge expert & contracted surfers

PROGRAM CONTEXT

The Head of Podium Program role 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. The athlete cohort is made up of male & female WSL World Championship Tour Surfers & WSL Challenger Series surfers each year.

ROLE PURPOSE


To lead the Podium program, it's athletes, coaches, activities, staff and contractors to win world tour events, World titles, Olympic Games, ISA World Surfing Games to be the dominate surfing nation.

Execute the Podium program plan with excellence

Support Podium program athletes, coaches & relevant network to achieve individual goals and priorities.

Enhancing the ability of the team to contribute to the SA HP Program KPI's and meet benchmark events targets.

Win & foster partnerships for Surfing Australia to support the organisation & improve the podium program

Support activity related to relevant benchmark events including Olympic Games, World Surf League (World Championship Tour and World Qualifying Challenger Series) and ISA World Surfing Games & ISA World Surfing Championships Para & Masters.

Integrated approach with SA's Performance Support team to enhance the Podium athletes and team in achieving performance targets.


KEY CHALLENGES


Global competition getting better quickly

Rising costs

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 staff:
To work collaboratively to support, enable and impact optimal performance together

Podium Coaches & Coach Network:
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.

Surf Industry:
To ensure alignment & greatest outcomes together


KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Lead, Facilitate and Drive Strategy


Champion the SA HPP culture of Athlete focused, Coach leading integrated performance teams

Establish mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with athletes, coaches, HP key stakeholders, other providers, teams and admin staff.

Provide expert advice to internal or external stakeholders

Drive a culture that fosters and develops innovative processes, communications and accountabilities that result in process improvements.

Get results from leads and working groups; sets performance expectations and holds people accountable for getting results.


Champion Performance Planning Support


Ensure prioritisation of athlete performance planning

Where applicable, assist within performance teams, work collaboratively with coaches / performance support providers to analyse needs of athlete, and set appropriate performance goals, develop plans, monitor and implement these plans and review periodically.

Draw conclusions and makes recommendations based on qualitative or quantitative information


Delivery of Daily Performance Environment


Manage Podium coaches and Network Coaches with providing direct athlete service

Promote/support a 'performance focused culture' and commit to continuous learning

Support an integrated approach to performance support needs by attending DPE training sessions, camps and competitions.


Performance Management & Recruitment


Meet monthly with direct reports to discuss performance, monitor progress and consider future requirements

Commit to a professional development plan

Identify, recruit and develop Podium staff


Operations and Reporting


Ensure relevant qualifications are met and updated by Podium staff and Network providers

Ensure quality data is captured, and analysis and reporting requirements using any required system/sport platforms have been met.

Lead and Manage Podium budget

Attend and where appropriate lead formal meetings

Ensure stakeholder and SA reporting requirements are met


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


Expertise in surfing

7 + years in high performance sport environments

Proven success in planning, periodising and managing athletes across multiple seasons/campaigns to support medal-winning performance (or equivalent) at an international level.

Proven experience in using a wholistic approach to planning and monitoring athletic performance in individual athletes to achieve performance progression.

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.

Experience in reporting to a variety of stakeholders, investment management & negotiations

Design and delivery of strategic planning and systems / processes to deliver improved business performance

Demonstrated ability to analyse data, interpret results and produce reports for influencing athletic training programs.

Proven experience in presenting to coaches related information for enhanced performance.

Proven sales & marketing experience


Knowledge


Relevant tertiary qualification is desirable

Progression Surf Coach or equivalent Coaching qualification

Demonstrated understanding of theory and modern coaching philosophies and the application 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 and Performance support

Understanding the requirements of High Performance athletes and coaches

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

Understanding of the Surf Industry & athlete sponsorships


Competencies


Strategic planning

Leading in complexity

Athlete marketing

Compelling Communication

Facilitating Change & results

Aligning Performance for Success

Coaching and Developing Others

Operational Decision Making

Delegation and Empowerment

Building partnership proposals

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

Organised & Detail oriented

Innovative

Practical

Continuous learner

Energy

Respectful


Note:
This position requires a clearance/s to work with children which is an essential component of this role and therefore to continuing employment. PLEASE NOTE: It is your responsibility to obtain the appropriate licence.

This position is required to travel domestically and/or internationally.

This position requires/may require weekend work, & 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.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 18 NOVEMBER 2024