Scottish Rowing – Head of Development & Coaching
About Scottish Rowing
Scottish Rowing is the Governing Body for rowing in Scotland. We are on a journey to get more people of all ages and ability enjoying the many physical, mental and social benefits of rowing.
Since 2022, Scottish Rowing has gone through an exciting period of significant change with the introduction of a new Olympic discipline, the expansion of the performance programme and a specific focus on extending the reach of the sport into non-traditional rowing communities.
With a new look Board and CEO in place we are currently going through a strategic review which aims to set the direction for Scottish Rowing for 2026 and beyond. We are seeking an experienced sports development professional to join the Senior Leadership Team and lead the growth and development of the sport at all levels.
Scottish Rowing currently employs a team of 12 staff with the organisation based at the Scottish Rowing Centre – its own dedicated training facility and office space at Strathclyde Country Park.
The Head of Development and Coaching will be responsible to the Chief Executive Officer and will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of Scottish Rowing’s development objectives with a focus on strong clubs, inspired people (including coaches, umpires and volunteers) and quality events.
We are seeking an outstanding leader who can identify growth opportunities, develop new and innovative strategies and motivate and engage with others across our rowing community. This will be a unique and exciting opportunity to help shape the future of one of Scotland’s leading Olympic sports.
Job Purpose
To provide visionary leadership, strategic direction and effective delivery of Scottish Rowing’s development and coaching objectives to enable more people to participate in and enjoy rowing at all levels.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the overall strategic direction of the development and coaching function in alignment with Scottish Rowing’s new strategic plan.
* Contribute to the ongoing development and subsequent implementation of the new strategic plan and maintain oversight of the annual operational plan as the recognised development and coaching expert within the staff team.
* Lead, manage, develop and empower the development and coaching team.
* Utilise all available resources to grow the sport and enhance services that support the continued modernisation of rowing clubs in a safe, inclusive and sustainable manner.
* Champion equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across all coaching and development activity- ensuring that programmes are welcoming, safe, and accessible to help reshape perceptions and showcase rowing as a sport for everyone.
* Identify, cultivate and manage strategic partnerships with organisations including British Rowing, sportscotland, Local Authorities, Leisure Trusts, educational institutions and community groups.
* Identify, devise and implement sport development strategies as appropriate (e.g. Coaching Strategy) to enhance participation opportunities across all levels of the sport, utilising technology and innovation to maximise engagement and impact.
* Propose, monitor and review the annual budget for development and coaching whilst working to identify and secure funding opportunities to support new initiatives.
* Collaborate with the performance team to ensure seamless transitions as people progress through the sport, specifically looking at opportunities to retain rowers in the sport as they drop out of the performance pathway.
* Collaborate with the business operations team to ensure that the offer to club and individual members remains attractive and meets their needs.
* Lead on the monitoring, reporting and evaluation of all development and coaching team initiatives in order to evidence impact and ensure that agreed outcomes are delivered.
* Contribute to the wider objectives of Scottish Rowing, including the operation of the Scottish Rowing Centre at Strathclyde Park, as a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
* Prepare regular reports and provide support to the CEO, Board and funding partners.
* Attend Scottish Rowing Board meetings, contribute to strategic working groups including the Development and Coaching Committee, and participate in other relevant stakeholder meetings as appropriate.
* Ensure compliance with all Scottish Rowing policies and procedures and recognised governance frameworks to protect and support participants at every level.
This outlines the core responsibilities of the role but is not an exhaustive list. It is intended as a flexible guide and may be updated as the organisation’s needs evolve.
Scottish Rowing is committed to selecting staff solely based on their ability to do the job for which they are being recruited and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Applicants should return a completed application form which outlines their relevant skills, experience and qualifications, as well as their motivation for applying for the role.
Please return by email to [email protected] or by post to Scottish Rowing (Head of Development and Coaching Application), Scottish Rowing Centre, 366 Hamilton Road, Motherwell, ML1 3ED.
Our Equality monitoring form should be completed using the link on the application pack.
Salary: £38,000 - £40,000 (subject to experience) + excellent benefits pack
Type: Full Time, Permanent (35 hours per week)
Application Dates: From Friday 11th July 2025 to Wednesday 23rd July 2025
