Posted: 4 September 2024
Link to Apply: https://www.kentcricket.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Head-of-Womens-Cricket-Kent-Cricket-0309v4.pdf
Department: Performance Cricket
Reporting to: Director of Cricket
Location: Kent Cricket, The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Old Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3NZ
Kent Cricket is seeking to recruit an exceptional leader to drive the growth and development of elite Women’s Cricket in Kent and ensure that our record of talent development and on-field success continues within the new ECB domestic Women’s elite cricket pyramid.
Background:
Kent Cricket is one of only 18 first class county cricket clubs in England and Wales. From our headquarters at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury, and with a satellite ground at The County Ground, Beckenham, we are responsible for the growth and development of all cricket across Kent and our four London Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham – from community and schools’ cricket to the professional game.
Equality Statement:
Kent Cricket recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We’re passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Companies that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity and perspective are proven to be better companies. More importantly, creating an environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work, is the right thing to do and we therefore encourage applicants from diverse areas to apply.
Summary of the Role:
Women’s Cricket is undergoing significant change with the introduction of a three-tier domestic structure; Tier 1 with eight fully professional teams, Tier 2 with ten amateur/semi-pro teams with professional support teams, and Tier 3 with circa twenty amateur teams. The successful candidate will drive excellence and foster talent within this evolving framework, ensuring Kent remains at the forefront of Women’s cricket.
The Head of Women’s Cricket at Kent will lead the strategic direction of Women’s and Girls’ Performance Cricket, ensuring the delivery of the Performance Action Plan and compliance with ECB standards.
Principle Responsibilities
- Lead on the strategic direction of Kent Women’s & Girls’ Performance Cricket
- Accountable for the delivery of the Women’s and Girls’ Performance Action Plan for Kent and ECB Minimum Quality Standards evidenced through the Independent Talent Pathway Review
- Manage budgets for Kent Women’s and Girls’ performance programmes
- Manage and develop relationships with partner counties and organisations.
- Facilitate the integration of Science & Medicine into programmes for all Kent players
- Oversee Player Development of all players in Kent Women’s & Girls’ pathway – including Talent ID process and liaison with other programmes players are involved with, schools and clubs
- Keep up to date with best practice and expertise across player development
- Attend ECB CPD events and meetings to ensure alignment on player development
- Line management and ongoing appraisal of all Coaches and Managers working within Kent County Women’s & Girls’ programmes
Skills, Knowledge and Experience
- Leadership: Expertise in leading and managing Women’s & Girls’ cricket programmes.
- Strategic Planning: Ability to deliver and execute performance action plans.
- Budget Management: Proficiency in managing and allocating financial resources.
- Relationship Building: Strong skills in developing and maintaining partnerships with Tier 1 and 3 counties and organisations.
- Sports Science & Medicine Integration: Knowledge of integrating sports science and medicine into player development programmes.
- Player Development: Expertise in overseeing player development, including talent identification and coordination with schools and clubs.
- Current Best Practices: Up-to-date knowledge of best practices in player development and cricket coaching.
- Continuous Professional Development: Engagement with ECB CPD events and alignment with national standards.
- Knowledge of Women’s & Girls’ Cricket: Understanding of national and local structures and pathways in Women’s and Girls’ cricket.
- Ability to work effectively within a diverse team and commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles.
- Up to date ECB DBS, valid First Aid and Safeguarding qualification.
Working Relationships
- Kent Director of Cricket
- Tier 1 Directors of Women’s Cricket & Pathway Staff
- Kent Women’s Head Coach, County Age Group & Pathway Coaches
- Kent Regional Manager
- Kent Cricket Senior Management Team
- ECB Performance Pathway Manager
- ECB National Talent Manager
- ECB Talent Inclusion Officers
Personal Specifications:
- Excellent communication skills
- A flexible attitude to working, willing to work evenings and weekends, understands that cricket is a seasonal sport
- Right to work in the United Kingdom
- Current Driving License
Benefit Details:
- Competitive Salary (depending on experience)
- Pension
- Private Health Care
- 30 days annual leave (pro rata).
Special Conditions:
The post holder will be based at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury as part of the Performance Cricket Department. Due to the nature of the work, the post holder will carry out their duties as such times/days which are most effective to perform the tasks required. This may involve some out of hours work – evenings, weekends, Bank Holidays, as necessary. The policies of the Club reflect a 52-week, seven-day operation for all cricket provision.
Safeguarding Statement:
Kent Cricket is committed to safeguarding and protecting children, young people and adults in cricket and we expect all employees to share this commitment. All posts are subject to a process of vetting with references taken up and where the role involves working in Regulated Activity with children, we require a current ECB DBS.
To Apply:
We prefer applications by email, including a CV and cover letter, but we are open to other forms of application to ensure accessibility. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application or during the employee selection process, please direct your enquiries to Omolola Oshinlaja using jobs@kentcricket.co.uk
Applications should be made by emailing your CV and a covering letter (maximum 150 words) to: jobs@kentcricket.co.uk
Closing date for applications: 12:00, Tuesday 17 September 2024.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview to take place w/c: 23 September 2024.
Please note that due to the volume of applications the Club receives, we are unable to provide specific feedback on unsuccessful applications.
Appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, relevant right to work information being provided and DBS clearance. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an Enhanced ECB DBS with relevant barred list check.
The role you have applied for is subject to an Enhanced DBS disclosure with barred list check for working with children. If you are invited for interview, you will be required to declare all spent or unspent convictions and cautions, but not any that are protected or filtered. If you are invited to interview and have any information to disclose please provide this under separate, confidential cover, to HR Manager – omolola.oshinlaja@kentcricket.co.uk.
If you wish to discuss your criminal record, or whether you need to disclose something, please contact Bridget Owen, the County Safeguarding Officer for Kent – bridget.owen@kentcricket.co.uk.
Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from working with us; this will depend on the nature and circumstances of the offence. We undertake to discuss your criminal record with you before any withdrawal of a job offer. Kent Cricket complies with the DBS Code of Practice and a copy is available on request.
Name of Author: Kent Cricket
Kent County Cricket Club is one of the eighteen first-class county clubs in England and Wales, representing the historic county of Kent. Founded on 6 December 1870 through the merger of two teams, Kent has played top-class cricket since the early 18th century and has competed in the County Championship since its inception in 1890. The club’s limited overs team is known as the Kent Spitfires.
