POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position title: Athlete Performance Lead
Reports to: General Manager Performance
Office location: Karāpiro, Cambridge
Employment Status: Full Time Employee
Direct Reports: Nil
KEY PURPOSE OF THIS ROLE
The key purpose is to ensure the alignment of performance support services with coaching and RNZ key performance/campaign objectives.
This role will lead our multi-disciplinary performance support team with the primary objective to develop and apply the practical, technical, and tactical health and performance needs within the High-Performance Programme Pathway.
SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Assess APS needs and allocate resources

• In line with our High-Performance Strategic plan, assess and implement the strategic direction for Athlete Performance Support services in rowing with an end-to-end view across our pathway.

• Work with the coaching team, pathway team, athletes and APS to understand needs and prioritise accordingly.

• Lead the Athlete Performance Support services plan annually and for the cycle in partnership with HPSNZ. Coordinate and lead APS

• Lead the Performance Support Team (PST), within the Rowing New Zealand High Performance environment, to ensure alignment and a multi-disciplinary approach to athlete support.

• Ensure that performance support services achieve maximum impact and are fully aligned to and driven by the Rowing New Zealand picture of performance and pathway needs (coaches and athletes).

• Facilitate communication and collaboration among providers to optimise the effectiveness of their interventions.

• Support the individual coach to lead and coordinate case management meetings as required.

• Engage and manage applied research projects to gather new, performance impacting information on sport specific topics that will positively impact rowing performance.

• Ensure our innovation plan is reviewed, planned and implemented.

• In conjunction with HPSNZ head of disciplines (Ho D) and Performance Team Leader (PTL), ensure the technical development of the PST is collaborative, efficient, aligned, and impactful.Ensure monitoring and tracking is in place

• Ensure athletes and coaches and other stakeholders are getting the data they need.

• Monitor the effectiveness of performance enhancement initiatives and make adjustments as needed to optimise outcomes.

• Analyse data and feedback to identify trends or areas for improvement in athlete performance.

• Contribute to maximising athlete availability through coordinated prevention practices, return to rowing outcomes and minimising injury recurrence.

• In collaboration with the HPSNZ Intelligence Team, manage key data related projects, providing data for performance decisions and working with other team members & stakeholders to ensure performance and health data within Rowing New Zealand is accurate, appropriately stored and used in support of performance and decision making.

Support coaches to lead athlete performance conversations

• Plan, facilitate and document regular performance conversations with athletes to assess progress, address concerns, and set goals.

• Assist the coaching team in providing constructive feedback and reinforcement to athletes based on performance evaluations and observations.

• Ensure athletes understand what they need to do, to ensure consideration towards selection.

Key Relationships:
Internal Relationships

• Coaches
• Athletes
• General Manager Performance
• Athlete Wellbeing Lead
• High-Performance Athlete Development Manager
• High-Performance Operations Manager
• Other RNZ staff as per necessary

External Relationships

• HPSNZ Performance Support Team
• HPSNZ PTL
• HPSNZ Ho D
• Other PS staff as necessary

GENERAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prioritise workload to ensure work of the greatest importance to the business is undertaken with urgency and to a high standard.

• Support and help develop a positive workplace culture.

• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal communication skills.

• Responsibly manage all business resources within accountability levels.

• Undertake all duties and responsibilities outlined in this Job Description and all other duties as required by the business.

• Comply with all employment obligations.

• Promptly undertake to complete all reasonable and lawful instructions and directions given.• Serve the business in good faith, promoting and protecting the business’ best interests.

• During work time, and such other times as may be reasonably required, dedicate all effort to the execution and fulfilment of the duties, responsibilities, obligations and instructions related to employment.

• Demonstrate through own actions a commitment to Health and Safety at work when undertaking work or observing others in the workplace.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

• Postgraduate degree in sport science/allied health or similar.

• Strong management skills and demonstrated leadership qualities and will have an exceptional understanding of best practice sports science and technology and the performance drivers for elite success.

• High level data analysis skills and an ability to integrate and translate data streams into practical environments required.

• High level of interpersonal skills and be able to effectively communicate with a wide range of seniority levels, personalities, and disciplines including working with athletes, coaches, support personnel.

• Critical decision-making ability, pay close attention to detail, have strong presentation skills and outstanding interpersonal skills.

• Demonstrate flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritise workloads.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Analytical mindset with a problem-solving orientation.

• Previous experience in rowing is highly desirable.

To apply for the vacancy please click the ‘apply’ button below.