Posted: 25 October 2024
Link to Apply: https://www.kentcricket.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Kent-Mens-Head-Coach-Kent-Cricket.pdf
Job Title: Men’s Head Coach
Reports to: Director of Cricket
Contract: Three-year, fixed term, full-time contract
Based at: The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury (with occasional travel)
Start date: 1 January 2025
Summary of Role:
Our ambition is for the Men’s Head Coach of Kent Cricket to establish a high-performance culture that drives consistent success across all formats of the game. We aim to be a team that continually competes for honours in the County Championship, T20 Blast, and One Day Cup, while fostering a culture of discipline, accountability, and relentless improvement.
A key part of this ambition is to develop a pipeline of homegrown Kent players who will contribute significantly to our sustained success, and to nurture talent capable of progressing to England’s performance pathway. The Men’s Head Coach will work in partnership with the Director of Cricket, captains, and support staff to shape a unified team ethos, setting high standards for performance and behaviour.
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.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities
| Area | Responsibilities |
| Leadership & Team Culture | • Provide strong, values-driven leadership, creating a positive, professional, and competitive environment. Promote a culture of discipline, teamwork, and a commitment to being better
• Ensure that every player and member of the support staff understands their role and responsibility, promoting a culture of accountability where high standards are consistently maintained both on and off the field • Lead the team in adopting a competitive mindset, building resilience and a focus on continuous improvement. Motivate players to maximise their potential |
| Cricketing Strategy & Development: | • Lead the design and implementation of game plans and training programmes across all formats to ensure the team is consistently prepared and performing at the highest level it can |
| Collaboration & Support Staff Engagement | • Work closely with the Director of Cricket, captains, specialist coaches, Second Team, Head of Talent Pathway and SS&M staff to build a cohesive, highperformance environment
• Ensure all staff are aligned with the team’s objectives and are collaborating effectively to drive success • Define clear roles and responsibilities for both players and support staff, ensuring transparency and alignment with team goals. Foster open communication to build trust and collaboration across the group • Lead the selection process alongside captains and assistant coaches, ensuring selection is based on merit, form, and the tactical needs of the team • Promote an environment of learning and growth, encouraging players and staff to strive for improvement and reach their full potential |
| Player Development and Wellbeing | • Manage and mentor players, fostering their development both on and off the field
• Support the identification and integration of talent from Kent Cricket’s Academy and Youth Programs, building a pipeline of homegrown players for future success • Provide clear and objective feedback to players, ensuring their personal and professional growth via performance appraisals |
| Culture | • Lead by example with integrity, discipline, and professionalism, acting as a role model for players and staff
• Commit to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), ensuring an environment where all individuals are respected and valued • Adhere to all rules, regulations, and policies set by Kent Cricket and the ECB |
| Safeguarding | • Demonstrate, at all times, a commitment to safeguarding children and adults
• Contribute to the implementation of the Kent Cricket Safeguarding policy • Report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with Kent Cricket’s Safeguarding Report Management Procedure • Ensure a safe and enjoyable environment is maintained, at all times, in line with Kent Cricket’s Safeguarding Guidance |
| Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) | • Demonstrate, at all times, a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion behaviours, decision-making and working practices
• Advocate the values of safety, dignity, fairness, equality and respect • Contribute to the implementation of Kent Cricket’s EDI Action Plan |
Working Relationships/Stakeholders:
• Kent Cricket Executive Leadership team
• Players, coaches and support team
• Sports Science & Medicine team
• Groundscare team
• Academy & Talent Pathway team
• Comms/Events team
• England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
• Umpires and match officials
• Professional Cricketers Association (PCA)
• Competition coaches and players
• External Media
Skills, Knowledge and Experience:
• Significant coaching experience at a professional or elite level, ideally within domestic or international cricket.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-performance teams to success across multiple formats.
• Strong leadership credentials with experience in managing players, coaching staff, and support teams to achieve consistent results.
• Proven ability to foster a positive, accountable, and high-performance culture within a team environment.
• Comprehensive understanding of modern cricket strategies, tactics, and player development across all formats.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop players, focusing on individual growth, performance improvement, and leadership development.
• Experience in working with youth and academy players to ensure a strong pipeline for future success.
Personal Specifications:
• Minimum UKCC3 coaching qualification (Level 4 would be desirable) or international equivalent.
• Enhanced DBS.
• ECB Coaches Association member.
• Right to work in the United Kingdom (or eligibility to apply for Right to Work in the UK).
• Valid UK driving licence.
Salary & Benefits:
• Competitive salary with performance related bonus.
• Pension Scheme.
• Company Car.
• Private Health Care Plan (Non-contributory).
• 30 days annual leave (including bank & public holidays).
Special Conditions:
The post holder will be based at The Spitfire Ground, Canterbury as part of the Performance Cricket Department. Due to the nature of the work, the post holder will carry out his/her 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.
How to apply:
To apply, please submit the following details to jobs@kentcricket.co.uk:
• Your CV
• A covering letter which outlines (max 300 words) your coaching philosophy and how you plan to contribute to the success of Kent Cricket.
• Names and contact details for two referees (Referees will not be contacted until the role has been offered to you).
Please mark all correspondence “Men’s Head Coach”.
The deadline for application is 17:00 on Friday 15 November 2024.
The appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, relevant Right to Work information being provided and DBS clearance.
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 with relevant barred list check.
The role you have applied for is subject to an Enhanced ECB DBS disclosure with relevant barred list check. 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 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.
