Director of Rowing

Hours: 37 hours per week, all year round

Location: Trust-wide, multisite

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.

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.

About Us

GORSE has a well-known reputation for changing the deal for children and young adults who come from some of the most impoverished parts of the country. Our central mission is to ensure that we play a significant role in removing the stubborn link between poverty and academic underperformance. Consequently, our students and our professionals are in the vanguard of the national drive which seeks to prove that where teaching is excellent, leadership inspiring and behaviour standards exemplary all children excel regardless of background.

Our 15 trust establishments - which include primary, secondary, and post‑16 settings - work together with our central team, LTSH (Leeds Teaching School Hub) and GORSE SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training), to form a connected network of excellence. This tight‑knit collaboration enables our students to prosper through strong partnership, where shared expertise, consistent standards and collective ambition ensure exceptional opportunities for all.

To learn more about our work and values, please visit our website at The GORSE Academies Trust

How to Apply

If you are excited about this opportunity, a recruitment pack and application form can be downloaded from our website at . You can also request an application pack or an informal conversation with the recruiting manager via email at [email protected] or by calling 0113 487 8888.

Please note electronic applications should be submitted where possible. CVs will not be accepted.

Closing date for applications: Friday 24 April 2026 at 9am

Interviews will take place: To be confirmed

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.

Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK – either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

Please note that, as a sponsor licence holder, we only provide sponsorship for teacher vacancies.