BEACH VOLLEYBALL HEAD COACH

BEACH VOLLEYBALL HEAD COACH

• JOB TITLE - Beach Volleyball Head Coach & Pathway Lead
• SALARY - Competitive
• REPORTS TO - CEO & Strategic Manager Volleyball for Life
• CONTRACT - Part Time – Initial 12 months Fixed Term Contract, with possibility of extension.
• The role will operate on a flexible delivery model, with an agreed annual allocation of working days and an indicative monthly schedule agreed with the successful candidate. Delivery is expected to be weighted towards the main beach season (April to September).
• LOCATION - National programme delivery across England and competition travel in the UK and internationally

JOB PURPOSE

Volleyball England is seeking a Beach Volleyball Head Coach & Pathway Lead to lead the coaching and day-to-day performance delivery of the England beach volleyball programme. The role will have a strong on-sand focus, with its primary emphasis on supporting identified senior men’s and women’s performance pairs, leading the junior programme and strengthening the talent pathway.

Working within Volleyball England’s wider talent and performance structure, the Head Coach & Pathway Lead will create a positive, athlete-centered and high-performance environment that supports international progression and builds a sustainable pipeline of beach volleyball talent. Coach and club development will be a secondary objective, delivered where appropriate opportunities arise and where it directly supports the pathway.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Performance Coaching

Lead the coaching of identified England senior men’s and women’s performance pairs, both within the daily training environment and at agreed domestic and international competitions.

Plan and deliver high-quality on-sand training that develops athletes across technical, tactical, physical and psychological performance domains.

Work with athletes and relevant support staff to establish individual and pair performance plans (TASS), clear objectives and appropriate competition programmes.

Build a performance environment that challenges athletes to strive for excellence while prioritising their safety, welfare and long-term development.

Work collaboratively with our SEM Team and other practitioner support to ensure coaching and athlete plans are integrated appropriately.

Review athlete and pair performance using appropriate observation, analysis and performance data, providing clear and timely feedback.

Junior Programme & Pathway

Lead the England junior beach volleyball programme, including the planning and delivery of national camps and training activity, with delivery weighed appropriately across the year and towards the main beach season.

Lead the preparation, coaching and delivery of junior teams at agreed international competitions, including NEVZA and European age-group events, subject to agreed programme priorities and budgets.

Help create a clear and progressive connection between junior and senior beach programmes so that talented athletes understand and can navigate the pathway.

Support talent identification and athlete development activity, working with clubs, coaches and Volleyball England colleagues to identify and nurture emerging talent.

Contribute to the development and shaping of junior beach volleyball competitions so that the domestic competition structure supports athlete development and progression.

Ensure Volleyball England and England Team standards, behaviours and expectations are understood and embedded throughout the junior programme.

Coach & Club Connectivity

Where appropriate opportunities arise, support targeted coach and club development activity that directly strengthens the talent pathway.

Share technical expertise, key learning and good practice with coaches working with identified pathway athletes, helping to create stronger alignment between club and national programme environments.

Contribute to relevant coach learning opportunities where these can be delivered pragmatically alongside the core performance and pathway priorities of the role.

Maintain a commitment to personal coaching development, including appropriate mentoring and formal development opportunities such as the FIVB Beach Volleyball Coach Award.

Programme Contribution & Management

Contribute to annual and competition-specific performance planning, working with Volleyball England colleagues to agree priorities, objectives, delivery requirements and the seasonal allocation of working days.

Support fair, transparent and effectively communicated athlete selection processes in line with Volleyball England policies, contributing appropriate coaching insight and feedback.

Provide concise performance updates on athlete development, programme activity and competition outcomes through Volleyball England’s talent and performance management structures.

Work collaboratively with the Strategic Manager Volleyball for Life, programme staff, team managers, coaches and practitioners to maximise the effectiveness of the programme.

Operate within agreed programme budgets and administrative processes, with Volleyball England staff providing appropriate operational and programme support so that the role can retain a strong coaching and on-sand focus.

Identify, declare and appropriately manage any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest, including those arising from external coaching, camps, commercial activity or beach volleyball businesses, in line with Volleyball England policies and agreed programme arrangements.

Prioritise safeguarding, athlete welfare, integrity and anti-doping requirements across all programme activity.

Undertake national and international travel and work evenings and weekends where required by training camps and competition schedules. The pattern of work will vary across the year, with delivery expected to be weighted towards the main beach season.

PERSONAL PROFILE

Essential

• Significant experience coaching beach volleyball within a performance or talent environment.
• Strong technical and tactical knowledge of beach volleyball and the ability to translate this into high-quality on-sand coaching.
• Experience of planning and delivering athlete development programmes, camps and competition preparation.
• Ability to build trusted, effective relationships with senior and junior athletes, coaches and multidisciplinary support staff.
• A clear understanding of athlete-centred coaching, safeguarding and the welfare responsibilities associated with working with young people and performance athletes.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to give clear, constructive feedback and create positive performance relationships.
• Strong organisation and planning skills, with the ability to manage training and competition commitments across multiple athletes and age groups.
• A commitment to continuous professional development and to Volleyball England’s standards, values and behaviours.
• Preparedness to travel and work outside normal core hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to identify, declare and manage actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest arising from external coaching or commercial activity.

Desirable

• Experience coaching within a national team beach volleyball programme.
• Experience coaching athletes or pairs at international senior and/or age-group competition.
• Knowledge and understanding of the beach volleyball landscape and player pathway in England.
• Experience supporting coach development within clubs or talent environments.
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary performance support team.
• A recognised advanced beach volleyball coaching qualification, including FIVB coaching awards or equivalent.
• Experience of mentoring or developing other coaches.
• Experience of balancing national programme responsibilities with external coaching or commercial interests.

DEVELOPMENT & SUPPORT

Volleyball England is committed to supporting the continued development of t