Overview of the role:

The Head Coach is one of the most important roles at Gloucestershire Cricket and will ensure that players are able to consistently deliver their best cricket for their team, themselves and their country.

The Head Coach will be an inspirational leader who works hard to identify, nurture and develop cricketing talent. At Gloucestershire we believe that player welfare and a team culture is key to delivering cricketing success and the Head Coach will play a vital role in producing a welcoming and winning culture at the Club.

The Head Coach will ultimately be responsible for creating sustained success on the pitch and across all competitions and formats of the game.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities

The Head Coach will oversee strategy delivery and the performance management of four key areas:

1. Team performance and planning

2. Coaching and Management

3. Strategy and Reporting

4. Culture

They will be an integral part of the leadership team at the Club and will act as a sensitive and discreet ambassador for Gloucestershire Cricket at all touch points and with all stakeholders.

Key relationships will exist across the whole organisation but in particular the Head Coach will have line management and responsibility for:

1. The Professional Squad

2. The Talent Pathway

3. Science and Medicine

4. Cricket Administration (including budgets)

In collaboration with representatives of these teams the Head Coach will define the cricketing strategy for the Club and will ensure they are fully briefed on all of these aspects of the role.

Team Performance and Planning:

• Along with the cricket department leads and the cricket working group, set the strategy and vision for the respective Gloucestershire cricket squads.

• Develop players of the calibre to be able to represent their country.

• Establish the vision and strategic direction on evidence-based analysis

• Identify the coaching support required to deliver high performance seasons

• Meticulously plan and prepare for the season and individual matches

• Run forward-thinking and innovative training sessions to best prepare playing squads for matches

• With the respective captains plan for and select the starting XI for each fixture

• Support squads throughout all match days

• Review all areas of performance post-match

• Work across and fully understand the talent pathway to best develop the next wave of Gloucestershire talent

• Work closely with the Science and Medicine team to manage player welfare throughout the year.

• Oversee the management of all areas of the cricket budget.

• To manage player contracts with the support of the CEO and Cricket administration manager.

• Identify and develop players from other counties and overseas who can add to and improve the current Gloucestershire squads through targeted scouting and recruitment programmes

Coaching and Management:

• To actively coach players (individually and as squads) both on a technical and a game intelligence basis

• Identify and prepare an individual coaching and development plan for all members of the squad

• Actively work across the talent pathway, sharing knowledge and helping to identify new talent.

• Work closely with the Women’s Head Coach and Director of Cricket for Western Storm to ensure that there is a clear and consistent set of practices and expectations for all players and coaches.

• To plan for and deliver all Gloucestershire Men’s performance appraisals in line with ECB

PCA guidance:

• To line manage the work of all cricket coaches

• To work with the Head of Ground Operations in liaising with the Head Groundsperson on pitch and practice facilities at the Bristol County Ground and outgrounds

Strategy and reporting:

• To develop and implement a rolling three-year high-performance strategy (or such a period that relates to funding and broader strategic cycles)

• To prepare a strategy (in conjunction with cricket department leads) which allows for the development of individuals and  on-pitch success.

• To regularly report on the progress of this strategy to the Cricket Working Group, playing squads and other coaches

• To be able to clearly explain all areas of cricket planning and decision making

• To make full use of data and analysis and use it as a tool for appraisals, player development, talent ID and match preparation

• Actively look for new initiatives, (the one percenters) that can improve Gloucestershire cricket performance

• Attend board meetings on a regular basis as well as club events such as the Annual General Meeting (AGM), Members forums and other events as required.

Culture:

• The Head Coach must embrace and help develop the culture that exists within the cricket department

• To progress and live the Gloucestershire culture and to embed it across the organisation

• To appoint and work closely with the Captain(s) on an on-going basis to ensure consistency of message from Head Coach and Captain(s), and to provide leadership and direction to the Players and Management Team in order to achieve the goals for each match and competition which have been set by the Head Coach in conjunction with the Captain(s)

• To understand and champion the wider Club strategy

• To be an ambassador for Gloucestershire Cricket at all times

• The Head Coach will have a very high emotional intelligence and will work with players and support staff to find the right tools to get the best out of the individuals and the team around them.

Professional Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Minimum ECB Level 3 Coaching Qualification (or equivalent)

• Strategic thinker – can establish a vision, provide direction and inspire others

• Proven success as a cricket coach at Domestic and/or International level

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience within professional cricket

• Ability to motivate and positively influence professional cricketers, coaches and teams

• Resilience and energy to operate in a challenging and high profile working environment

• Proven ability to operate with professionalism and integrity in challenging situations

• Exceptional planning, co-ordination and organisational skills

• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently or as part of a team

• Advanced knowledge and experience of the fundamental requirements associated with operating and being successful within a world class sporting environment.

• Experience and evidence of developing and implementing change strategies that provide competitive advantages to sporting teams through innovation.

• A clear understanding of and commitment to safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults in a talent environment. Advanced DBS is required.

• Experience as acting as an ally for diverse cultures and education around Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI)

• Experience of leading, managing and developing multi-disciplinary high performing teams that can deliver consistently over time.

• Good self-awareness and excellent emotional intelligence

• An ability and willingness to act as a media spokesperson as required

• Full Driver’s Licence

• Strong IT and analytical skills

• Highly developed leadership and management skills coupled with strong planning and organisation

• Outstanding communication skills – written, verbal and presentation.

• A sensitive and discreet nature

If successful, you will be invited to an interview on Thursday 11th January.