Closing date: 8th August 2014 - JOB CLOSED !

Full-time position based at Loughborough 

Competitive Salary dependent on experience & qualifications

Excellent benefits including pension, private health care & company car 

The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is seeking to recruit a highly experienced and credible individual to lead its Science and Medicine department. Leading a multi-discipline team working across the England Cricket Pathways, the successful candidate will continue to drive the positive impact of Science and Medicine services on cricket performance in the international and domestic game.

The ECB Science & Medicine Department aims to “optimise England's best players’ availability and performance through the provision of cricket's best science and medicine services.” The successful candidate will be tasked with leading the team towards effective methods of making this aim operational in development and performance environments. Reporting to the Performance Director the successful applicant will lead the Science & Medicine Team and will line manage a team of National Leads in: Medicine, Physiotherapy, S&C, Psychology, Performance Analysis and Personal Development & Welfare. This Science and Medicine Management team (SMMT) will oversee support to all England Cricket Pathway Teams and Squads. The Head of Science and Medicine will also work closely with Pathway Leads, Coaches, First Class Counties, Operations and Coach Education to ensure that SS&M services are integrated across the game leading to optimal performance impact in the short, medium and long term.

The Head of Science and Medicine will need impactful leadership, management, and personal coaching skills. A sound knowledge of all areas of science and medicine, and demonstrable personal experience in one area is essential.  Further, knowledge of other areas of performance sport such as coaching and performance planning are also necessary. The Head of Science and Medicine will also need to demonstrate the ability to manage budgets, strategic and operational processes.

Closing date for applications: 5pm on Friday 8 August 2014.

Interview date: 20 August 2014.

Role Description

Job Summary

The aim of the ECB Science and Medicine strategy is to optimise England's best players' availability and performance through the provision of cricket's best science and medicine services.

The Head of Science and Medicine will be responsible for the standardisation, development and management of all ECB sports science and medicine services; and accountable for the delivery of the science and medicine strategy.

Facts and Figures

The Head of Science and Medicine will be responsible for a full and part time staff team and a large six-figure budget.

The department supports players across the men’s women’s and disability pathways as well as providing support to county players where deemed appropriate by the ECB and counties. The number of players simultaneously under the support of the ECB Science and Medicine department is regularly in excess of 100.

The oversight of sports science and medicine services across the 18 First Class Counties includes support for 18 County Physiotherapists and Strength and Conditioning coaches, as well as psychologists, doctors, personal development practitioners and other support practitioners delivering programmes to c400 professional cricketers.

Nature and Scope of Role

Role Context

The Science and Medicine Team is responsible for the delivery of integrated services to England Cricket Pathway programmes, and quality assurance of a national network of practitioners within the 18 First Class County Clubs (FCCC).

The Team’s 6 key strategic objectives are to:

• Minimise the impact of injury and illness on availability and performance for England Squads
• Ensure players are optimally, physically prepared to play international cricket
• Ensure players are psychologically the best prepared in world cricket
• Enable individuals to excel and develop sustainable performance within and outside cricket
• Conduct innovative research and development to inform coaching plans, science and medicine support programmes
• SMMT will work together to integrate our work for performance and wellbeing benefits

Key Working Relationships

• Managing Director England Cricket
• ECB Science and Medicine Management Team (National Leads for Medicine, S&C, Psychology, PDW, Physiotherapy, Performance Analysis)
• England Team Head Coach
• Performance Director
• Head of England Development Programme
• Head of England Women’s Cricket
• Head of Disability Cricket
• National Lead Coaches (Batting, Fast Bowling, Spin Bowling, Wicket keeping)
• England players at all levels
• First Class County Head Coaches, Directors of Cricket Physiotherapists, S&C Coaches and other SS&M practitioners)
• Externally contracted Physiotherapists and other practitioners
• Wider Elite Sport SS&M networks

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership of Science and Medicine services to all England Cricket Pathway Programmes and the First Class Counties (FCC).
• Responsible for the performance management and development of the Science and Medicine Management Team in order to create a high performing unit.
• Work closely with the England Team Director, Heads of Programmes, and National Coaches to develop and deliver integrated support programmes that meet the performance and development needs of England’s best players.
• Responsible for the performance benchmarking and quality management processes for all aspects of ECB Science and Medicine services based on industry ‘best practice’.
• Work with the MD England Cricket and other senior managers of the England Cricket Department to align Science & Medicine strategy.
• Prepare and submit Science and Medicine budgets and manage their performance throughout the year.
• Lead to on-going development and rigorous implementation of the Cricket Sports Science & Medicine Audit (CSS&M Audit) of the FCCs and England programmes, and hold the First Class Counties accountable for adherence to the conditions of the associated CSS&M Audit Performance Related Fee Payment.
• Ensure the delivery of an annual FCC and England Programmes Science and Medicine Conference that reflects the development needs of practitioners from all disciplines.
• Continue to develop Performance Profiler as the central database all Science & Medicine disciplines record keeping and reporting.
• Lead the development and implementation of research and innovation strategy, and hold practitioners and coaches accountable for the successful achievement of R&I project objectives.
• Chair the Science & Medicine strategic function’s steering group to hold programmes accountable for the delivery of best practice, and ensure services meet the programme’s needs.
• Ensure all England Cricket Pathway programmes and FCCs Profile players twice per year.
• Review the contractual arrangements with centrally and incrementally contracted and players to promote physical preparation and minimize the risk of injury.
• Liaise closely with the MD England Cricket, and be prepared to undertake any other duties related to the work of these functions including overseas travel for extended periods of time

Skills Experience and Background

• Extensive experience of leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams in high performance sport
• Extensive experience of developing and implementing strategic plans
• Extensive experience as a science or medicine practitioner delivering support to high performance teams in professional and / or Olympic sport.
• Experience of budget management and financial control
• Postgraduate degree in a sports science or medicine discipline
• Current professional accreditation / license in a sports science or medicine discipline
• Experience of conducting performance focused research in a sports science or medicine discipline
  

Personal Attributes

• The successful candidate will need to be a highly credible, determined clear thinking and articulate individual with:
• High standards of personal and professional integrity
• Huge levels of energy and enthusiasm
• Openness and resilience
• Honesty, tact and a strong will to succeed
• An appetite to constantly seek improvement in all aspects of their work
  

This job description is only a summary of the role as it currently exists and is not exhaustive or comprehensive.  The responsibilities and accountabilities might differ from those outlined and other duties, as assigned, might be part of the job. 

How to Apply

ECB is an equal opportunities employer and would welcome applicants from a full diverse range of candidates, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

To apply candidates should complete the online application form attaching a CV and letter (as one document) outlining their suitability for the role.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on Friday 8  August 2014.

Interviews will be held on  20 August 2014.