BRISTOL BEARS WOMEN HEAD COACH

Organisation: Bristol Bears
Salary: Dependant on experience
Location: Bristol Bears High Performance Centre, Abbots Leigh, Bristol, BS8 3TF. The role will also include duties at off-site locations.
Contract type: Fixed Term (Full time)
Closing date: 2 May 2025
Job Description: DEPARTMENT: BRISTOL BEARS COACHING TEAM
REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR OF RUGBY (DOR)

Bristol Bears Rugby is part of Stephen Lansdown’s sporting group of companies which includes Bristol Sport, Bristol City Football, Bristol Flyers Basketball and each of their respective community charities.
Our ambition is ‘to inspire our community through rugby success’. Our supporters regularly attend Ashton Gate Stadium to watch the team perform in Premiership and European Cup Competitions as well as our Women’s team who play at the highest level of domestic competition.

ROLE SUMMARY
Bristol Bears are looking for a passionate and person-centred individual, to lead the Women’s performance programme by coaching the playing squad to a standard of excellence to meet goals set by the Women’s Board. The Head Coach will work with Heads of Departments, to deliver a World Class programme, and oversee the pathway system by working with our partnership Clubs, Colleges, and Universities to foster home grown talent. As part of the full Bristol Bears Coaching team, the appointee will also have the opportunity to support the Head of Academy in the development of Bristol Bears targeted Academy players to achieve their potential if required by the DOR.

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership
• Lead a World Class rugby program that aligns with the Club’s goals and aspirations.
• Oversee the Women’s performance programme, fostering a positive and high-performance culture.
• Work with stakeholders to plan all aspects of training, including technical skills and tactical strategy.
• Align with the Clubs vision and ensure that the team is supporting Community initiatives.

Team Management
• Select and recruit the best and most appropriate Bears Women squad within the budget to meet Club goals
• Monitor and assess the performance of all players in contention for selection.
• Maintain discretion and confidentiality regarding squad selection consideration, including discussions with players about their performance and not making guarantees of selection to any player.
• Work with the General Manager and Team Manager to meet Minimum Operating Standards criteria in relation to Performance.

Player Development
• Create an environment that is player-centred and promotes personal and player development.
• Identify and develop talent within the squad, focusing on both team and individual growth.
• Ensure that IDPs are undertaken and recorded with each player regards performance expectations before the season commences.
• Complete and record player performance reviews with each player at mid-season and at the end of the season.
• Work with stakeholders to monitor player performances, providing constructive feedback to develop their performances.
• Provide regular feedback to the Director of Rugby and the Bristol Bears Women’s Board regarding performance and development of both team and individuals throughout the season.
• Support the Bristol Bears Academy with 1-1 coaching, mentoring and reviews for targeted players as part of the ‘one team’ Bears mantra

Communication
• Work with the General Manager and Team Manager to ensure effective communication across the Women’s programme.
• Maintain strong relationships with the players, the support staff, Club management, and other external stakeholders.
• Represent the Club positively at media events and other public appearances and positively contributing to the Club vision.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS
• Women’s Players
• Women’s Board
• Director of Rugby
• Head of Academy
• General Manager
• Club Executives
• Performance Coaches
• Athletic Performance Coaches
• Medical Staff
• Media Staff
• Safeguarding Officer
• PWR Operational Staff
• RFU, WRU, IRU and other National Governing Coaches
• Match Officials

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
• England Rugby Advanced Coaching Award or overseas equivalent (Level 3).
• Experience of delivering a full-time programme, ideally within the Premiership or International environment.
• Strong people management skills, to lead, communicate and develop and motivate individuals and the team.
• Tactical knowledge and understanding of rugby and game strategy.

DESIRABLE SKILLS
• Experience of working within a Women’s team.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
• Responsible for ensuring all health and safety procedures are followed at all times, with relevant paperwork to support
• Report all incidents and accidents as required
• To report any hazards detected
• To complete and review the risk assessments for the department

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
We are committed to the principle of equal opportunity and its policies for recruitment, selection, training, development and promotion are designed to ensure that no employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, ethnic and national origin, disability or gender reassignment.

SAFEGUARDING
Bristol Rugby Club Limited is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. This role would be subject to a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.
How to apply: Please apply via the Bristol Sport Website, link here: https://www.bristol-sport.co.uk/jobs/bristol-bears-women-head-coach/