Head of Performance

Organisation

The Welsh Netball Association

Salary

£40,000- £45,000

Location

Cardiff

Contract type

Permanent (Full time)

Closing date

14 September 2026

Interview date

28 September 2026

Job Description

About this Role

This is an exciting and rare opportunity to drive systemic change and provide leadership and strategic direction for high-performance netball in Wales. The successful candidate will shape and achieve Wales Netball's performance vision and ambitions for 2030 and beyond.

Your focus will include:
- Shaping and delivering a sustainable, high-performance pathway that inspires, develops and empowers generations to come across Wales, both on and off court.
- Strategic leadership and operational management across multidisciplinary teams.
- Developing and evolving, an evidence-led world class performance environment

Terms of Appointment
Role: Full Time, Permanent
Remuneration: £40k-£45k (Depending on experience)
Annual Leave: 28 days per year plus bank holidays
Location: Work from home (across UK) flexibility with national & international travel required for competitions and events
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer
Direct Reports: Performance Manager, Performance Officer, Head Coach Welsh Feathers

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic Leadership, Performance Pathway.
- PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION for high-performance netball across Wales, including coaches, umpires and technical officials
- BUILD A SUSTAINABLE WORLD CLASS PERFORMANCE ENVIRONMENT with robust support systems for coaches, umpires, support personnel and players..
- LEAD AND DELIVER A NEW PERFORMANCE PATHWAY STRUCTURE to create an oversupply of talent from U17s to Welsh Feathers.
- DEVELOP A QUALIFICATION STRATEGY for major international competitions such as the Commonwealth Games and World Cup.
- WORK AS PART OF THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM on strategy, budgeting and operational delivery.

Safeguarding & Management
- SAFEGUARDING Ensure full compliance with Wales Netball safeguarding policies and procedures across all performance programmes.
- REGULATORY RESPONSIBILITIES Oversee adherence to all relevant legal and regulatory requirements, ensuring a culture of transparency and accountability.
- EDUCATION & TRAINING Lead and promote ongoing anti-doping education and awareness initiatives for athletes, coaches, staff and support personnel.
- UKAD LIAISON Act as the primary liaison with UKAD, ensuring effective communication, timely reporting and the implementation of best practice.
- RELATIONSHIPS Build and maintain strong relationships with national partners, stakeholders and third parties to support performance delivery.
- REPORTING Report to the relevant Sub-Committees and the Board, providing insight and assurance on performance governance, risk and compliance.
- LINE MANAGEMENT Provide leadership and line management to the Performance Operations Manager, Performance Officer, Wales Head Coach, consultants and volunteers.

Wider Responsibilities
- ADVOCACY, COMMUNICATION & PROMOTION Champion Wales Netball, promoting our values, vision and achievements to inspire participation and pride across the nation.
- IMPACT MEASUREMENT & REPORTING Measure and evaluate performance impact, providing insight and recommendations to the CEO and Board.
- STRONG PARTNERSHIPS Build and maintain strong relationships across Wales to grow netball, support our clubs and create opportunities for all. Ensuring a strong link between Performance and Participation
- AMBASSADORIAL WORK Represent Wales Netball with World Netball, Europe Netball, Commonwealth Games’ Wales, Sport Wales, Welsh Government and other key stakeholders.
- LEAD THE PERFORMANCE PATHWAY PROGRAMME Drive a world-class pathway that develops athletes capable of reaching and excelling in the Welsh Feathers squad.
- GUIDE TECHNICAL CONTENT & STRUCTURE Work with the Welsh Feathers Head Coach to shape and deliver the technical direction and programme structure.
- RECRUIT COACHES & SUPPORT TEAMS Attract, appoint and develop outstanding coaches and support staff for the wider performance teams.
- CONTRIBUTE TO AN ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Support the creation and implementation of a robust athlete development framework that nurtures talent, supports wellbeing and builds sustainable success for the future.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Essential Qualifications & Experience
- Degree level education or equivalent experience.
- Extensive experience in high performance sport
- Proven track record of leading and developing performance programmes and delivering measurable outcomes.
- Experience in developing and managing budgets.
- Experience in athlete development, load management and season planning.
- Strong understanding of performance environments, athlete development, and the factors that drive sustainable success.
- Understanding of anti-doping requirements and compliance procedures.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into action.
- Excellent leadership and people management skills.
- Strong communication and influencing skills across a range of stakeholders.
- Organised, adaptable, and able to manage competing priorities.
- Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
- Analytical and evidence informed decision maker.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience
- Welsh Speaker.
- Relevant professional development and continuous learning record.

Other Requirements
- Emotional intelligence with the ability to build trust and strong relationships.
- Resilient, adaptable and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as required.
- Enhanced DBS check required.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of work.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Wales Netball is committed to creating an inclusive culture, through fostering a diverse workforce. As part of your application, we have a voluntary equal opportunity form that would help us to achieve this, the form will be emailed once your application has been received.

HOW TO APPLY
Please send your C.V and a Supporting Letter outlining your suitability for the role, aligned with the role description to recruitment@walesnetball.com

For an informal conversation about the role please contact sarah.boswell@walesnetball.com

Closing Date for applications: Midday on Monday 14th September 2026
Interview Date: 28th and 29th September

How to apply

Please send your C.V and a Supporting Letter outlining your suitability for the role, aligned with the role description to recruitment@walesnetball.com For an informal conversation about the role please contact sarah.boswell@walesnetball.com

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