Posted: 12 June 2024
Link to Apply: https://cricketireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Cricket-Ireland-Advert-2-compressed.pdf
BACKGROUND
Cricket Ireland is the governing body for the men’s and women’s game throughout Ireland, with ultimate responsibility for its national and international aspects. The future of Irish cricket is very bright given the growth of the sport driven by significant success on the international stage in the last fifteen years or so, leading to an unprecedented visibility for Irish cricket at home and abroad.
Our emergence as a sport of national significance is growing following the elevation of Cricket Ireland to ICC Full Membership and Test Status, along with entry into the sport’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) that now sees Ireland playing all three formats of the game at the highest level for the foreseeable future and both men’s and women’s.
Cricket Ireland’s Strategic Plan 2024-27 is to be launched shortly and is designed to synchronise with the ICC funding cycle and will continue to highlight the objective of expanding and strengthening the women’s and girl’s game.
The current High Performance Director role has been split into two roles now with a new Director of Cricket taking much of the administration and strategy around international teams operations. The Director of High Performance will be more hands on working with coaches, selectors and support services staff, and will lead the delivery of the next high performance strategy
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
Reporting into the Chief Executive, the role will have overall responsibility for the strategic development and success of the men’s and women’s high performance programmes on the world stage, and to put systems in place to ensure its sustainability. This will include managing the high performance systems and processes, the oversight of the senior international programmes and talent pathway including all international youth and emerging teams, and elite coach development.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
“Ensure the development and delivery of the high performance strategy to drive success on the world stage.”
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
- Deliver and review a 4-year rolling high performance strategy with the planning and execution of player development programmes capable of producing future international calibre cricketers, with measurable performance outcomes to deliver the agreed success in ICC events and rankings.
- Establishing the vision and strategic direction after analysing rigorous evidencebased information and assumptions; the strategy will have three clear objectives including: Maximising the CI talent pathway players within the Ireland performance squads (targeting 75%), Developing players not just good enough to become professional cricketers, but good enough to become Ireland senior team established players within three years of list A debut & Seeking players overseas who have links to Ireland, can qualify and bring skillsets to enhance and complement existing squad skills
- Contribute to the wider strategic planning processes of the organisation and act as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
- Provide expert advice to the CEO, Board and direct reports on all high performance matters based on specialist knowledge of high performance practices, developments and trends.
- Provide regular management information reports to the CEO, Board and High Performance Committee where appropriate on the high performance strategy and plan, budget and player performance, informing of any variances, recommending remedial actions and agreeing a recovery strategy to achieve the targets.
- In collaboration with the CEO lobby government agencies on behalf of high performance in cricket to secure its success and sustainability.
- Work closely with the Director of Cricket and their team to ensure excellent delivery of logistics, travel and administration.
PART 2
- A key member of the Executive Team, supporting colleagues in delivering all of the organisation’s strategic objectives.
- Input to the selection and structure of the men’s and women’s player contracts system, liaising closely with the Director of Cricket; and hold subsequent player meetings to communicate the annual awarding of contracts and category bands.
- Ensure that the performance pathway is inclusive of the diverse communities in Ireland and provides equality of opportunity to all talented players, coaches and support staff.
DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF HIGH PERFORMANCE
- Create the infrastructure to drive high performance so that our cricketers become world leading.
- Work closely with national head coaches to ensure detailed individual (player) performance plans (IPP’s) and challenging targets are in place, with expected progression targets, desired competition loads and review points to optimise their capacity, capability and well-being.
- Monitor, review and report on the success of ICC global events, players and support personnel in line with agreed objectives.
- Work with the head coaches and national selectors to ensure sound information on individual players ahead of team selection for international series or competitions.
- Develop and maintain a robust system for capturing and reporting data on talent profiling, player performance, history and path.
- Manage all high performance administration, leading and delivering comprehensive communication to key high performance management on a monthly basis.
- Working with the Head of Physiotherapy and Medical Services and Performance Services Manager, develop, manage and monitor a world class sport science and medicine programme.
- Lead and plan overseas and home-based camps for the men’s and women’s HP programme and budget accordingly.
- Work closely with the Team Operations Manager and Head of Facilities around all HP facility booking requirements.
- Overseeing of identified players and coaches with the ability to offer practical suggestion, planning and support that provides Ireland with the ability to develop elite performers capable of competing and beating the best teams in World Cricket.
- Ensure a sustainable feeder system through which the next generation of professional cricketers will be produced; review and update the talent identification and development system to select the potential “elite” players of national interest who will progress to first class and world class competition.
- Devise and implement a Talent Scouting Group in Ireland and overseas.
- Support the growth of the participant base to deliver the next generation of elite athletes; support the Men’s and Women’s Head Coaches specifically in talent identification (both pathway and overseas recruited) for the respective senior squads.
- Overall responsibility for the Irish International Squads covering both the men’s and women’s game, Under 19 and the Under-Age Squads.
- Direct responsibility for the cricket activity and development of the player development model in the Performance and Elite environments with the support of key stakeholders, including the ICC and public-funding bodies.
- Responsible for the submission of annual/ad hoc Government/agency funding applications and reports.
- Line manage the work of all coaching teams, medical and associated high performance services providers.
- Develop and manage, with the national head coaches, a programme of continued professional development and education for elite coaches in Ireland.
- Liaise with the Head of Facilities and Head Groundsman on pitch and practice facilities at all CI ODI venues and HP Centre.
- Continuously seek (or encourage others to seek) opportunities for different and innovative approaches to player development and improvement.
- Ensure high performance operations are conducted in accordance with ethical governance, current legislation and financial regulations.
- Oversee national selection at senior levels, and ensure policy and communications are being followed.
MANAGE BUDGETS AND CONTRIBUTE TO INCOME GENERATION
- Design and agree the budget to achieve the delivery of the high performance strategy and plans.
- Contribute to income generation activities to optimise the finances of the high performance programme through appropriate applications and reporting to Sport Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland and the ICC; and the development of new and diverse revenue models.
- Oversee all high performance consultant contracts and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to ensure the provision of specialist support, and that all contractual obligations are met within budget.
“In conjunction with the CFO and CEO set the high performance budget and manage it effectively through established delegation of authority.”
PEOPLE LEADERSHIP
- Recruit and develop a high calibre coaching, specialist and support team.
- Ensure the consistent application of a performance management system to develop and retain a highly capable high performance team.
- Establish a succession planning process and pathway for all coaches, managers and support staff which ensures a sustainable talent pool.
- Ensure clear and consistent communication processes are in place to inform and engage staff at all levels across the high performance operation.
- Manage the performance of the National Head Coaches, High Performance Coaches and Support staff within the Men’s and Women’s Senior and Pathway Squads.
STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
- Foster and develop sound, effective relations with key stakeholders and act as an ambassador of high performance at all times to the national and international communities.
- Work with the CEO and media and communications manager to support the implementation of the media strategy to build and optimise the brand, image and reputation of the high performance programme in the public domain.
- Work with key Irish Stakeholders (including Government, Sport Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland, Provincial Unions, CI committees and sponsors) to identify opportunities for national squads to develop to their fullest potential.
- Develop and manage relationships and opportunities with external stakeholders, including ICC, ICC Europe, ECB, overseas Cricket Boards and County Cricket Clubs.
OTHER
- Travel overseas as necessary with the men’s and women’s national teams Attend men’s and women’s national selection meetings.
- Act as the management lead for the CI High Performance Committee, and prepare agendas and papers as required.
- Attend Board meetings as and when required by the CEO, and provide papers and reports as requested on key activities and progress of the high performance programme and teams.
- Undertake media duties and responsibilities from time to time, and act as the spokesperson on certain HP matters.
- Make recommendations to the CEO/Chair regarding team captaincy in consultation with respective National Head Coaches and National Selectors.
- Undertake and assist on other ad hoc high performance projects as and when required.
- Other duties as required by demands of the role and/or CEO.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE: - Evidence of significant experience (breadth and depth) of working at an organisational level at first class or international level and an understanding of the business environment.
- Full, valid driving licence.
- A recognised Level 3 cricket coaching qualification.
- Experience of leading and managing teams and coaching players in a high performance environment.
- Significant in-depth knowledge of cricket and coaching techniques in a high performance environment.
- Ability to develop and implement cricket strategies, systems and processes to deliver outstanding results.
- Experience of delivering within financial budgets.
- Excellent communications (verbal and written) including report writing and excellent PC/IT skills (word, excel, PowerPoint, internet, databases, etc).
- Experience of developing strong and sustainable relationships to further the interests of the organisation and sport within a highly complex ‘political’ environment. Ability to manage to positively influence and manage media relations.
DESIRABLE CRITERIA:
- Degree or similar level qualification in a sports or management-related discipline.
- Experience of contributing to income generation activities to secure revenue from a range of sources.
- Ability to manage media relations and build sustainable relationships within a highly complex political environment.
- Demonstrable track record of supporting the implementation of change and continuous improvements to evolve the capability and capacity of the organisation.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
- CEO
- CI Board and High Performance Committee
- Senior Management Team
- National Selectors
- Head Coaches (Men and Women)
- Head of Physiotherapy and Medical Services
- Performance Services Manager
- Talent Pathway Manager
- Director of Cricket
- International Teams’ Operations Manager
KEY INFORMATION
- The start date is intended to be 1st October 2024.
- The selection panel reserves the right to take into consideration the Desirable Criteria during the short-listing process in the event that candidates fulfil the Essential Criteria.
- You must be eligible to work in the European Economic Area (EEA) – an employment permit can take up to 4 months.
REMUNERATION
- Competitive salary
- Permanent position
- Car allowance
- Pension
- Healthcare
- Life assurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Laptop and Mobile phone
APPLY NOW
The closing date for applications is Friday 28th June 2024. To apply please send a detailed covering letter and full CV by email to sam@cricket.jobs stating ‘Director of High Performance’ in the title.
