Director of Rowing

The Gorse Academies Trust, Leeds, LS27 0LZ

17 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  Start date to be agreed with the successful candidate

• Closing date

  24 April 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  7 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other leadership roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time: 37 hours per week, all year round
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: Grade: PO3 (SCP 32–35) Salary: £42,839 - £46,142

What skills and experience we're looking for

The GORSE Academies Trust is seeking an exceptional and ambitious Director of Rowing to lead and develop our rowing provision across the trust. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced rowing professional to shape a programme of national significance and contribute to the trust’s wider strategic vision, including the ambitions of our ‘Big 3’ initiative.

About the Role

The Director of Rowing will provide strategic and operational leadership for rowing across our academies. This includes ensuring high-quality PE rowing lessons, delivering an inclusive and aspirational extra‑curricular programme, and establishing effective pathways from on-land to on-water training.

You will oversee the development of racing squads, deliver high‑quality coaching frameworks, and ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of all athletes. A key aspect of the role involves managing the GORSE Boathouse, developing strategic partnerships, securing sponsorships and funding, and contributing to a long-term rowing plan that builds a nationally recognised programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and quality‑assure rowing within the curriculum and extra‑curricular programmes.
• Identify talent, develop training plans, and ensure strong athlete progression.
• Develop inclusive on-land and on-water rowing opportunities for students across the Trust.
• Establish, select, and manage racing squads for regional and national competitions.
• Manage the GORSE Boathouse, equipment, facilities, and related safety processes.
• Develop partnerships, secure sponsorship, and explore funding opportunities.
• Provide performance reporting and data insights for key stakeholders.
• Line manage coaches, coordinate CPD, and support rowing leads in each academy.
• Promote a high‑performance, inclusive, and aspirational culture.

About You

The successful candidate will be an inspiring leader with strong technical knowledge of rowing and junior pathway development. You will have experience coaching at a competitive level, developing athlete performance systems, and managing rowing facilities or programmes.

You should also have:

• A strong understanding of safeguarding.
• Excellent communication and analytical skills.
• Experience building partnerships and securing funding.
• The ability to motivate young people and staff across multiple sites.
• A commitment to the values of The GORSE Academies Trust: Diligence, Integrity, Rectitude and Kindness.

What the school offers its staff

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to play a central role in building a Trust‑wide rowing programme with exceptional ambition. You will work closely with senior Trust leaders, benefit from excellent professional development opportunities, and have a significant impact on the sporting and personal development of young people across Leeds.

What we offer you:

As a trust, we want to ensure that professionals at every stage in their career have the opportunity to enjoy expert support and training. We are pleased to offer a generous benefits package to our team – as we work together to create a rewarding future for all including:

• Membership the local government pension scheme.
• A commitment to continued investment in our professionals, supporting every member of staff throughout their career in the trust.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential professional advice and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• £2k Cycle to work scheme.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to full employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and barring service check. We promote diversity and aim to establish a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Director of Rowing Recruitment Pack v.1.pdf - 1.42 MB (opens in new tab)

PO3 Director of Rowing.pdf - 354 KB (opens in new tab)

About The Gorse Academies Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: The Gorse Academies Trust website
• Email address: recruitment@tgat.org.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-gorse-academies-trust

Arranging a visit to The Gorse Academies Trust

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@tgat.org.uk.

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