Head of Talent Pathways
Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol, BS7
Term: Permanent, full time
Who are we:
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club is committed to making sure cricket is a game for everyone. We believe that cricket should be based on the concepts of fair play, teamwork, and meritocracy and we know that there is work to do to make cricket truly accessible. We are looking for people to join us on the journey of handing cricket over to future generations as the most inclusive and diverse sport in the world.
We have been proudly responsible for the Boys Talent Pathway since 2020 and from the 1 February 2025, will be welcoming the Women’s & Girls Pathway to our Club from the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation successfully aligning both pathways. We are looking for an inspirational leader to drive this pathway to new heights, working cohesively with numerous stakeholders in the development of young talent in a high-performance environment. We are excited to advertise this role as it presents an incredible opportunity to identify and shape the future of young cricketers.
Basic objective:
The Head of Talent Pathway will lead the delivery of the Boys & Girls County Talent Pathway strategy to identify and develop the highest potential cricketers for Gloucestershire and England.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop a compelling strategy for Gloucestershire’s County Talent Pathway and oversee all County Talent Pathway cricket in the county, including the boy’s Academy, Women’s Senior Squad, Emerging Player Programmes (EPP), County Age Group squads and Early Engagement Programmes (EEP).
Line management and organisation of pathway staff, ensuring adherence to the County Partnership Agreement and the Pathway Performance review process.
Execute a player identification strategy to encompass the Academy, Emerging Player Programme and County Age Group Squads whilst leading the delivery of individualised and holistic development programmes for current players.
Plan and deliver a comprehensive winter training programme and summer fixture schedules for Academy, EPP and County Age Group Squads, working closely with our age group coaches to align with their availability and selection process of players.
Develop, maintain and implement a talent development framework to guide pathway delivery, player identification and coach development including high quality coaching interventions to County Talent Pathway individuals/teams, as agreed with relevant Coaching staff.
Ensure excellent organisation, administration and communication of the pathway programmes to provide efficient and effective programme delivery in line with a closely monitored Talent Pathway budget to include budget planning and reporting process.
Liaise with England age-group coaches and ECB colleagues to ensure effective communication relating to the nomination and support of pathway players in regional and national programmes.
Create an effective link and communication channel with other relevant stages (2nd XI/first team, Tier 1 & Tier 3 women’s counties) as well as local club, national county partners and community areas, to ensure the Gloucestershire pathway is appropriately connected.
Establish and maintain strong working relationships with National Counties, SACA & Ace Programme to identify talent and work closely with the ECB Regional Talent Managers to ensure the on-going advancement of the pathway programmes.
Additional Information:
On occasions the Head of Talent Pathways may be asked to support Gloucestershire CCC in other areas as directed by the CEO.
Working Relationships:
Head Coach, Pathway Head Coaches, Age Group Coaches and Managers, Tier 1 & Tier 3 women’s Counties, Head of Cricket Administration, Talent Pathway Administrator, Local Clubs & Schools, ECB Talent Personnel, Other First Class Counties Talent Leaders, County & National Scouting network, Professional Cricketers Association.
Knowledge and Qualifications:
- A clear understanding of the qualities and characteristics required for a young person to develop, thrive and perform within a professional cricket organisation.
- Experience of creating and delivering engaging coaching programmes in a high performance environment.
- ECB Level 4, or ECB Level 3 working towards a Level 4 qualification (or overseas equivalent)
- Wide range of coaching experience and can demonstrate high-level knowledge of the boys’ and girls’ pathway system to include leading a Talent Pathway.
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following experience, skills and qualities:
Experience:
- Experience as an inspirational and capable leader, who thrives in a collaborate environment, engages with best practice, and always seeks cultural improvement.
- Proven ability as an innovative thinker with the ambition to deliver an engaging and stimulating talent development programme within an agreed budget.
- Excellent communication abilities, with the talent to effectively engage with large groups of players and parents, you will be versed in the ability to manage and articulate selection issues with sensitivity and compassion.
- Outstanding administration skills and the ability to curate and implement a strategic framework within a sporting organisation.
- Current enhanced DBS, Child Protection (Safeguarding Young People) and First Aid, and the right to work in the United Kingdom.
- Ability to travel independently between sites (Full and valid UK driving licence)
- Excellent coaching skills with experience of working with elite cricketers
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of the structure and partner organisations within local and national cricket, or sport more widely.
- Knowledge and experience of ECB Rules and Regulations.
- Some flexibility around working hours will be required including evenings and weekends.
This Job Description should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline of areas of major activity and will be amended in the light of changing circumstances at GCCC.
The Benefits
Salary: £40 - 45,000 per annum depending on experience (35 hour working week)
Non-Contributory Pension scheme at 8%
Membership for domestic games
Reduced price daily meal deal
Start date: ASAP
Closing date for applications: Monday 22nd July at 9am
First interviews will likely take place on the afternoons of 29th and 31st July
At Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, we understand the importance of different voices, experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds within all workforces. Our workforce is no different and we strongly encourage applications from members of minority groups and all sections of the community.
If you think you might have these skills but are not 100% sure, please do still apply and let us decide. We know that people often rule themselves out of interesting opportunities assuming that others will be more successful but please don’t be that person. We want to hear from the widest cross-section of the community.
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children, young people, and adults at risk that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a process of vetting, including the disclosure of criminal records if required and the seeking of references. We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our organisation.
To Apply:
We adopt a blind resourcing approach to mitigate discriminatory practices wherever possible. Your answers to the following questions will be used to shortlist applications based on the needs of the role. Please restrict your answers to 250 words per question and do not include any personal information in your responses. Your name, email address and contact number should be emailed to the Director of People and Culture, lynn.wiltshire@glosccc.co.uk, with your completed application as an attached WORD document.
In your role as the Head of Talent Pathways, you will be working closely with the Head Coaches. How would you collaborate with them to ensure the successful development and progression of talented cricketers through the pathway? (250 words)
How do you stay current with best practices in talent development and coaching? (250 words)
Describe a situation where you demonstrated leadership in a challenging environment. (250 words)
How have you managed and organised teams to deliver on programme goals? (250 words)
As the Head of Talent Pathways, how would you ensure that young cricketers in our talent development programme have a clear and effective pathway to becoming full professionals? And what strategies or initiatives would you implement to support their journey? (250 words)
Detail your experience in budget planning and reporting for a talent pathway or similar programme. (250 words)