ECB: Head of National Youth Programmes

PURPOSE

The purpose of this role is to support the continued strategic development, implementation, delivery, and amplification of ECB National Programmes (All Stars Cricket and Dynamos Cricket).

You will have operational responsibility for the delivery of National Programmes, ensuring alignment and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including the broader Recreational Game Department, Sky (particularly), the wider County Board network and other ECB partners and teams including Digital and Marketing.

WHO WE ARE

The England and Wales Cricket Board is the national governing body for all cricket in England and Wales, supporting the game at every level – from grassroots to professional.

We believe cricket is a force for good that can have an enduring impact on everyone’s lives and we have an ambitious strategy to inspire a generation to say ‘cricket is a game for me’. It provides great entertainment. It teaches important skills, both physical and social. It can help inclusion and social cohesion, bringing communities together.

The ECB welcomes applications from all backgrounds to ensure we deliver our Inspiring Generations strategy and fulfil our purpose to connect communities and improve lives through cricket.

OUR VALUES

• Stronger As One Team – We are stronger together. We allow for individual strengths and beliefs but head in the same direction. We respect, support and really listen to each other along the way.
• Push New Boundaries – We are bold, brave and curious. We challenge and don’t settle. We forge the future whilst remembering our roots.
• Be The Best In The Game – On & Off The Pitch – We train hard. We strive to be our best to help the team be the best. We celebrate our victories and learn from our let downs.
• Passion For Play – We are here to inspire & be inspired. We are serious about what we do, but don’t take ourselves seriously. We enjoy the journey and have fun.

YOU’LL LOVE THIS JOB IF

• You are passionate about the role sport can play in inspiring children to be more active and develop key life skills, no matter their background.
• You are an inspiring leader and collaborator.
• You can navigate and enable a large network of stakeholders to deliver the best value for cricket.
• You want to manage large, high profile contracts and, often complex, programmes.
• You enjoy managing multiple manufacturers, suppliers and partners.
• You have an unshakable can-do attitude.
• You thrive under busy, variable and exciting environments.

YOU’LL BE DOING

• You will act as the strategic lead for all National Youth programmes within the ECB portfolio.
• You will create, implement and develop world-class initiatives/programmes to specifically inspire young people to play cricket.
• You will develop, enhance and promote links between all youth initiatives to deliver the recreational cricket plan under the next iteration of cricket’s Inspiring Generations strategy.
• This will include development and implementation of strategy to ensure cricket is thriving in affiliated clubs and communities, in schools and in bringing cricket to non-traditional cricket environments
• Working collaboratively across ECB, liaising with our broadcast partners, Sport England, Sport Wales and the cricket network to deliver national plans that have significant impact within local cricket communities.
• Leading and mentoring a dynamic team to deliver co-ordinated and exciting initiatives that substantially and sustainably grow (recreational) cricket’s reach and relevance.
• Proactively managing complex budget(s), contracts and operational plans.

YOU’LL HAVE

• Outstanding leadership qualities with the ability to co-ordinate complex stakeholder groups together behind a common goal.
• Experience implementing successful change-management and high-profile initiatives through exceptional project management skills.
• Experience of managing big contracts and high profile (participation) programmes.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with a demonstrated ability to influence and manage people who may not have a direct reporting line to you.
• Experience working with major charitable, and/or commercial and/or broadcast partners to deliver recreational and/or social outcomes.
• An ability to objectively review performance and a thirst for constant improvement.
• A data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Sufficient gravitas to influence at every level of the game, internally and externally.
• An ability to inspire others to think differently, be open-minded to change, and to be ambitious.
• Knowledge and experience in sport is highly preferable, but not mandatory, especially if a candidate can demonstrate experience in youth development initiatives and / or social justice or change.
• Minimally, an appreciation of the power of sport to improve lives and connect communities.
• Experience of and the ability to manage budgets prudently and proactively.

YOU’LL RECEIVE

• Competitive salary
• Holiday – 25 days a year
• Volunteering – 2 days a year
• Pension – Non-contributory pension
• Private medical insurance
• Employee health cash-back plan
• Long-term sickness insurance
• Life assurance – four times your annual basic salary
• Enhanced family leave and pay
• OpenBlend – an innovative coaching and performance management tool
• People Academy – a range of programmes and initiatives to help you develop and reach your potential
• Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 confidential access to expert services including counselling, wellbeing, and independent legal and financial advice
• 30% Castore discount
• Cycle 2 Work Scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Preferential access to tickets to England and The Hundred games
• Opportunities to be a part of and be involved in our Employee Resource groups: Women in Cricket Employee Network, Race in Cricket Employee Network, Social Mobility in Cricket Employee Network, Disability Employee Network and LGBTQ+ Community in Cricket Employee Network