Head of Player Pathway - Join the Birmingham Panthers

Location: Hybrid, minimum 2 days in office at either University of Wolverhampton or University of Birmingham.

Job Type: Full-time, 37.5 hrs per week

About Us

The Birmingham Panthers are a bold, pioneering netball franchise with a mission to elevate elite netball and celebrate the power of women in sport. We’re committed to building a world-class performance environment in the West Midlands, backed by top-tier coaching, advanced sports science, and a player-first, female-focused development approach.

With an inclusive spirit that reflects the diversity of Birmingham and the West Midlands, we are dedicated to inspiring our community and creating lasting impact. Through partnerships with schools, clubs, and universities, our talent pathway nurtures local players from grassroots through to the Netball Super League.

As we grow, we’re looking for passionate individuals who want to be part of this exciting journey, driving innovation both on and off the court to set new standards in netball.

Join us to help shape the future of the sport and champion the power of women’s sports in uniting and inspiring our community.

Overview of the Role

Are you ready to lead the development and success of the Birmingham Panthers’ performance pathway, shaping the future of netball talent?

As the Head of Performance Pathway, you’ll play a pivotal role in driving the success of our performance teams across all tiers, from emerging talent to player development and the Netball Performance League. You’ll be responsible for managing and inspiring the coaching team, coordinating coaching development initiatives, and ensuring a seamless progression for athletes through the performance pathway.

Reporting directly to the Director of Netball, this is an exciting opportunity to lead a high-performance environment, implement innovative strategies to enhance athlete and team performance, and contribute to the Panthers’ legacy of excellence in netball.

This is a unique opportunity to work closely with an ambitious franchise and amplify the Panthers’ impact across Birmingham and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

In conjunction with the Director of Netball establish and develop a Player Pathway Programmes, leading, managing and systematically preparing players both on and off the court for performance competitions and accelerating their individual development as players and facilitating their ongoing progression towards Superleague and England teams.
Coach an identified NPL team in designated EN competitions.

Lead and manage the process of screening and selection of players into the programme in conjunction with accredited Scouts, Selectors and coaches where appropriate. Make selection in line with an agreed policy, England Netball Athlete Identifier Guidelines and talent development principles for all levels of the Player Pathway Programmes. Ensure that screening data is collated and analysed and that the appropriate feedback is given to players.
Develop and execute a strategic plan for the pathway to drive athlete progression and team success.
Liaise with Strength & Conditioning Coaches and other multi-disciplinary team members where appropriate to ensure added value to the Player Pathway programme.

Ensure each Player Pathway Programme and hub programme is fully staffed with athletes and coaches, meeting performance and participation targets.

Develop, monitor and manage the training schedule and workload of players within the programme. Engage with key stakeholders in player networks to ensure that training programmes and competition schedules can coexist effectively.

Manage a team of coaches and Sport Science and Sport Medicine staff to ensure aligned and effective pathway delivery within the Birmingham Panthers environment.
Provide leadership, mentorship, and support to ensure high-quality coaching delivery.

Design and implement a coaching development programme to upskill coaches and maintain performance standards within the Assigned County Territories.

Organise and book venues for training sessions, trials, and matches, ensuring logistical efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Establish partnerships with venues to secure free or discounted courts and align coaching resources.
Manage administrative requirements, including registration forms, coaching certifications, emergency contact details, and DBS checks.

Act as the main point of contact for athletes, coaches, and external partners, ensuring clear and consistent communication.
Build and maintain strong relationships with venues, sponsors, and stakeholders, ensuring mutual benefits and long-term partnerships.
Ensure the successful implementation of the Roses Development Framework within the Player Pathway Programmes and support delivery within Assigned County Territories.
Manage partnership agreements and rights, ensuring compliance and alignment with organisational goals.

Track and evaluate the performance of athletes, coaches, and teams, using data to inform decisions and drive improvements.
Regularly report progress, challenges, and achievements to the Director of Netball, highlighting key developments within the pathway.

Support England Netball in the delivery of Department of Education Study Programmes ensuring athlete and coaches availability and engagement in the delivery of study programmes for players aged 16-19 – Diploma in Sporting Excellence (“DiSE”). Take a lead in the delivery of DiSE.

Liaise with England Netball national coaches regarding the delivery and support of England age-group players’ through Individual Performance Plans (“IPP”)
Deliver an appropriate induction process for both players and parents, with at least one induction event per annum.

Skills, Experience, and Qualifications

Netball UKCC Level 2
Current certificate in Safeguarding and Protecting Children
Current First Aid Qualification
Experience of delivering training programmes covering Technical, Tactical, Physical and Mental development
An understanding of the benefits of Sports Science and Medicine and Performance Analysis, and their application to High Performance Netball
The ability to motivate players and use initiative to embed a High-Performance culture
The ability to lead and work within a multidisciplinary team
Leadership experience in a Head Coach capacity
Excellent coaching skills with the ability to coach across the required age groups
Proven ability to manage, lead, and inspire a coaching team effectively.
Experience of managing volunteers and working with external partners in a Performance Environment
Self-motivated and proactive, with a strong capacity for independent work and initiative.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, enabling clear and impactful messaging.
Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
Flexible and adaptable, thriving in fast-paced environments and readily available for match days, including evenings and weekends.
Collaborative team player with a strong focus on fostering a positive and productive work environment.
Exceptional time management skills, ensuring tasks are completed accurately and within deadlines
Proficient in Microsoft Word and Outlook, with working knowledge of Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint, and Excel.

What We Offer

Competitive salary range £34,000-£37,000.
25 days holiday a year.
Opportunity to work in an energetic, fast-growing sports franchise.
Collaborative and supportive team culture with a focus on innovation.
An impactful role that allows you to shape the future of netball across Birmingham and the West Midlands.

How to Apply

If you’re passionate about driving performance, possess the experience and creativity we’re seeking, and are eager to lead the performance pathway, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your CV and covering letter to s.lawrence@birminghampanthers.com, using the subject line: “Head of Pathway – [Your Name]”.

Birmingham Panthers is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.