Head of Hockey

Organisation: University of Birmingham Sport
Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822
Location: Birmingham
Contract type: (Full time)
Closing date: 20 April 2026
Job Description: Sport & Fitness is responsible for operating the extensive sport and recreation provision of the University of Birmingham. It caters for the whole sports continuum from elite athlete to beginner; it supports 6,500 members, 40+ performance clubs, over 50 sports scholars and offers an extensive participation and intra league programme. It stages big events for several British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS), national governing bodies and external groups, with spectator numbers reaching 3,000 for an individual event and has recently hosted the Commonwealth games for Hockey and Squash competition as well as swimming and athletics training venues. It services the many different user groups drawn from the University – societies, medical school, groups of friends and departments, and the city – athletic, swimming, football, rugby, hockey, and gymnastics clubs as well as many schools, local authority groups and the more commercial provider.

Job summary

The role will be responsible for delivering and developing the University’s flagship hockey programme, working with the next generation of emerging talent to succeed across our BUCS and National Hockey League teams.

The successful candidate will have overall responsibility for the hockey programme, including coaching philosophy, style, development and performance of the club, including the appointment and development of coaching staff. They will have direct responsibility for the performance of the Women’s 1st team in BUCS and of our National Hockey League team, including direct coaching our national league team.

From the point of recruitment to maintaining the fantastic performance environment for our athletes, the post-holder will ensure a high-quality student experience is maintained throughout the club, steering a culture consistent with our values. They will do this working with a team of experienced coaches and multi-disciplinary team comprising specialist support practitioners within a sector-leading dual-career environment.

Main duties

Run training sessions for women’s first and second teams, directly coaching the first team, with the support of an assistant coach
Attend BUCS & National League matches of the first team and other teams where appropriate
Lead regular multi-disciplinary team meetings with the Performance Support team to optimize development of the women’s players’ and teams’ performance
Lead hockey’s overall recruitment strategy to attract the best players to the university, including identification of players, managing communications and attending key recruitment events
Responsible for the recruitment, development and management of hockey coaches including mentoring, individual CPD plans, reviews and job chats
Identify and propose appropriate hockey events which the University might bid to host, with the aim of helping recruitment, raising profile and/or generating income
To develop effective links and relationships with England Hockey and home nations NGB to ensure player pathways are successfully maintained
Club Management

Work with the Club Development team to ensure University of Birmingham meets all relevant rules and regulations including but not limited to: officials; safety; facilities; and coordination of disciplinary cases.
In conjunction with the BUCS administrator, ensure the efficient coordination of club fixtures including liaison with the Operations team to support match day set-up
Lead and advise the club committee in the management of the club (including the budget), ensuring all values of Sport are upheld
Other duties

You will actively participate in job chats and personal development reviews on your own performance, and agree objectives and targets and work to achieve these within agreed timescales

Undertake any other duties that may reasonably be required, and which can be accommodated within the postholder's grading

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

You will need to evidence:

Educated to A Level standard, or equivalent level 3 qualification such as a Level 3 NVQ, or level 3 national diploma or relevant facilities work experience evidencing the skills and ability to undertake the role.
Minimum of GCSE grade C or 4 in Mathematics and English at GCSE or equivalent level 2 qualification or relevant work experience evidencing numeracy and literacy.
UKCC Level 3 coaching award (or equivalent)
Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance before appointment.
An in-depth understanding of coaching styles and practical delivery.
Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.
Knowledge of the sport's organisation at national & regional levels in the UK
Two years’ experience of working in a sports development or similar environment either in voluntary or paid basis
Understanding of BUCS rules and regulations.
Experience of financial / budgetary responsibilities.
Effective problem solving and decision-making skills.
IT skills including competence in the use Microsoft Word and Excel.
Positive attitude towards CPD.
Experience of successfully leading others, preferably in both direct supervision of other paid employees and of volunteers.

DBS required

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Informal enquiries to Andy Allford, email: a.allford@bham.ac.uk
How to apply: https://edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_6001/jobs/preview/8776/?keyword=Head+of+Hockey+-+Campus+Services+-+42883+-+Grade+7&mode=location