Non-Executive Director - performance

Organisation: British Volleyball
Salary: 0
Location: Any
Contract type: Volunteer (Part time)
Closing date: 18 July 2025
Interview date: 4 August 2025
Job Description: The British Volleyball Federation (‘BVF’) brings together the National Volleyball Federations of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Each of the National Federations are affiliated to the FIVB (International Volleyball Federation) and CEV (European Volleyball Confederation). The BVF is a member of World ParaVolley (formerly known as World Organisation Volleyball for Disabled).

About the Role

Position: Non-Executive Director (Performance)

Accountable to: President and Board of the BVF.

Remuneration: This is a voluntary role, with expenses reimbursed in accordance with the BVF’s Business and Travel Expenses Policy.

We are seeking an experienced and strategically minded individual with a strong background in high-performance sport to join the BVF Board as a Non-Executive Director. This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of elite volleyball across all disciplines – indoor, beach and sitting – and support our long-term ambition to build sustainable, world-class performance systems.

This is also a pivotal moment for British Volleyball. With a long-term target of qualifying at least one beach volleyball team for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, and beach and sitting volleyball teams for Brisbane 2032, this role will directly contribute to shaping our Olympic and Paralympic journey. You’ll also support the delivery of the BVF’s sitting volleyball transformation project, designed to elevate our Paralympic pathway. Meanwhile, with indoor volleyball not currently publicly funded, we are determined to break the cycle of underinvestment – and are looking for a leader who can help us unlock its untapped potential.

You will bring deep knowledge of performance environments, athlete development and the realities of international competition. As a Board member, you will also play a key role in providing robust governance, oversight and challenge, helping us raise standards and promote collaboration across the UK volleyball community.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-level guidance and oversight of performance programmes and pathways across all disciplines of volleyball.
• Contribute to the development, delivery and monitoring of national team strategies and long-term athlete development.
• Advise on selection policies, coach development, and athlete support programmes.
• Ensure safeguarding and athlete welfare are embedded in all performance systems.
• Liaise with performance leads and Home Nations on planning, resourcing and delivery priorities.
• Provide oversight of performance culture, data, targets and accountability frameworks.
• Represent the BVF in relevant national and international performance and coaching forums.
• Act as a constructive and challenging Board member, contributing to effective governance and strategic decision-making.

Person Specification

Essential:
• A strong and demonstrable background in high-performance sport.
• Experience in athlete development, coaching systems or performance leadership at national or international level.
• Familiarity with selection policy, performance planning and elite sport operations.
• Ability to bring strategic insight and challenge constructively at Board level.
• Sound judgement, independence of thought and commitment to athlete-centred development.
• Capacity to commit time and energy to a voluntary Board and to support a largely voluntary organisation.
• Excellent communication, collaboration and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to listen sensitively, question intelligently, debate constructively, challenge rigorously and decide dispassionately.

Desirable:
• Experience working with or advising a national governing body or high-performance sport agency.
• Involvement in performance volleyball (indoor, beach or sitting) as a coach, athlete, administrator or technical lead.

Independence Requirement:
To ensure independent oversight, applicants must not currently hold a performance related role at or be employed by:
• Volleyball England
• Scottish Volleyball
• Volleyball Wales
• Northern Ireland Volleyball

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The BVF is committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment where everyone feels welcomed, valued and able to contribute. We actively encourage applications from candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and are committed to ensuring equitable access to all stages of the recruitment process.
How to apply: How to Apply Please send your CV and a statement of no more than 500 words outlining how you meet the requirements of the role to: • Mark Kontopoulos, Chair (mkontopoulos@britishvolleyball.org) • Gail Robson, Independent Board Member (grobson@britishvolleyball.org)