Old Cranleighan HC: Coaching Director

COACHING DIRECTOR - OLD CRANLEIGHAN HOCKEY CLUB Location: Thames Diton, Surrey | Salary: Competitive | Type: Full Time

Shape the future of one of England's most established hockey clubs.

Old Cranleighan Hockey Club is looking for an exceptional Coaching Director to take strategic ownership of all hockey activity across our thriving club and lead us into our next chapter.

With 98 years of history behind us and serious ambition ahead, this is a rare opportunity for a high-calibre coaching leader to make a lasting impact at a club that genuinely invests in its people, its programmes and its players.

About OCHC

Based in Thames Ditton, Surrey, OCHC is a club built on community, quality and growth. We field ten men's and seven ladies' teams, with our Men's 1st XI competing at National League level, and our junior section has grown into one of the most active in the region, coaching over 600 players through a network of 90 professional and volunteer coaches.

We have our own artificial pitch collocated with our clubhouse, a passionate and committed membership, and a culture that balances competitive ambition with genuine inclusivity. We are proud of what we have built and excited about where we are going.

The Role

As Coaching Director, you will provide strategic leadership across every area of hockey at OCHC - men's, women's, junior and talent pathway. You will own the OCHC Hockey Development Strategy, establish a clear and consistent club philosophy ("The OCHC Way"), and design a coherent Long Term Athlete Development pathway from junior entry level through to adult performance.

This is a leadership role first and foremost. You will line manage section leads, junior leads, goalkeeper coaching leads and performance coaches, and you will be responsible for building and developing a coaching workforce that reflects the highest standards of quality, safeguarding and professional conduct.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Strategic leadership and vision for all hockey programmes
• Player pathway design, talent identification and performance oversight
• Coaching workforce recruitment, development and retention
• Quality and consistency of delivery across all age groups and squads
• Safeguarding, welfare and England Hockey compliance
• Community engagement, school partnerships and outreach
• Budget management and regular reporting to the Club Director and Executive Committe

Who We're Looking For

You will be an experienced, ambitious and people-centred coaching leader; someone who can translate a long-term vision into practical, deliverable plans, and who brings genuine passion for developing players and coaches at every level.

Essential:

• England Hockey Level 2 Coaching Qualification or higher
• Proven experience leading or coordinating hockey programmes in a club, school, university or performance environment
• Strong understanding of player development pathways and coaching frameworks across multiple age groups
• Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills
• Experience managing and developing coaches and/or support staff
• Enhanced DBS clearance, safeguarding and first aid certification (or willingness to obtain)

Desirable:

• Experience within a large or multi-section hockey club
• Background in talent development or performance pathways
• England Hockey umpiring qualification
• Experience of club growth, outreach or school partnerships

Why OCHC?

This is not a role you'll find every day. You will have real strategic autonomy, a genuinely supportive committee structure, your own facility, an established and growing junior base, and a club that has demonstrated consistent growth over nearly a century.

 If you want to build something lasting this is the place to do it.