Careers

About Us

About The Role

Our new Chief Executive will:

• Develop partnerships and programmes needed to get more people on the water.
• Provide inspiring leadership for our staff team, with the ability to listen.
• Ensure a sustainable future for the organisation, both in terms of environmental impact and commerciality.
• Use insight to develop a strategy to drive growth and improve the quality of our services.
• Have a talent for diplomacy and the confidence to make tough decisions
• Have a knack for building consensus around solutions to contentious issues
• Ensure we continue to have a strong policy framework and excellent systems and procedures for safeguarding and child protection.
• Be an expert in helping others do their best by supporting their team to use their talent, passion and experience.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced senior leader, with a flexible home working policy. It is essential that you have a robust IT infrastructure, so that you are able to work effectively remotely.

Person Specification for the role:

Qualifications and relevant experience:

• A university degree or significant relevant experience.
• Experience of working in a senior leadership role for a sports governing body, or similar body
• Experience of budget setting and management

Personal Qualities:

• Sets high standard for self and others and represents the values of Paddle Cymru - with a commitment to the highest ethical standards.
• Creative and adaptable - always seeking new ways to improve while learning from experience, research and insight.
• Demonstrates confidence, diplomacy, empathy, enthusiasm and initiative.
• A commitment to achieving equality and diversity in high performance sport.

Requirements:

• Current full driving licence and access to transport.
• Robust IT infrastructure to enable remote working.
• Able to occasionally work unsocial hours, including evenings and weekends with overnight stays when required.
• Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Knowledge and skills:

• Strategic planning and evaluation.
• Understanding of risk management techniques
• Financial management skills, able to use Excel and other software tools to prepare and manage budgets.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to write and speak clearly and effectively.
• Able to work remotely and manage your own schedule and work priorities with only occasional support from the Chair.
• Passion for sport and an ability to motivate and energise others.
• General understanding of safeguarding.
• Understanding of, and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Further Information

Working hours: Three days / 22.5 hours per week, flexible hours

Location: Home working, based in or close to Wales.

Length of contract: Permanent

Salary: Pro rata based on £60,000

Benefits: Fully flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave entitlement, pension, training and professional development opportunities, employee welfare and support programme, and free Paddle Cymru membership

Other requirements:

You must complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check prior to starting the role.

You must have a valid UK driving licence as the role requires occasional travel.

As the role involves working from home, you should have a home office or a private space to work at home and a good internet connection - though if this is not possible, we may be able to arrange office space for you.

How to apply:

Please submit the following:

• Your CV, including details of relevant experience and qualifications.
• A covering letter highlighting your relevant experience, and suitability for the role.

Further Information:

Submit your CV and covering letter to us by emailing Suzanne Parkin at suzanne.parkin@paddlecymru.org.uk.

Closing date for applications is 6pm, 25th July 2025. Should you require any further information on the organisation, or wish to discuss the role, please contact Kerry Chown, Chair, at kerry.chown@paddlecymru.org.uk

Equal Opportunities and Inclusivity Statement:

Paddle Cymru is firmly committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion across all areas of our work. We actively seek to create an environment where individuals from all backgrounds feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to contribute. We recognise the importance of addressing under-representation within our sport and organisation, and we particularly encourage applications from individuals belonging to groups that are currently underrepresented in paddlesport and governance roles.

All appointments will be made on the basis of merit, and candidates will be assessed fairly and transparently in accordance with our values and commitment to inclusive practice. If you would like to apply in an alternative format or require adjustments during the application process, please contact us at Admin@paddlecymru.org.uk

Apply for role

Closing date: 25th July 2025