The Opportunity

This is an exciting role that will help shape how Sprint paddling develops in Scotland, creating strong, connected and sustainable club environments where paddlers can enjoy the sport, learn and progress.

Working closely with our Head of Sport, Event Lead and the wider Sport Team, you will work directly with identified Sprint clubs, including those supported through our sportscotland Club Development investment. You will strengthen the everyday environments in which paddlers develop, working alongside the coaches, volunteers and committees who already give so much to the sport.

This is a rare opportunity for a relationship-focused, practical and curious person to make a real difference on the water and behind the scenes, helping Sprint clubs and the paddlers within them to thrive.

About the Role

The role will focus on:

• Working directly with identified Sprint clubs to understand their context, strengths, challenges and development priorities
• Building trusted working relationships with club committees, coaches, volunteers, paddlers, parents/carers and community partners
• Using the Pathway Rudder, our club monitoring and development framework, and the 'Performance Reference Point' to help clubs understand their environments and support paddler progression
• Helping clubs turn insight into practical action
• Understanding the communities clubs operate in, including barriers associated with socioeconomic disadvantage and geography, and finding practical ways to reduce them
• Working alongside volunteer and employed coaches within their normal club training environments, including on-water and off-water coaching where this adds value
• Helping volunteer and employed coaches work effectively together, adding capacity while recognising the knowledge and ownership already within clubs
• Identifying gaps in coaching and volunteer capacity and helping clubs develop their workforce
• Acting as a point of connection across the Scottish Sprint community, improving communication and collaboration between clubs
• Working with our Event Lead to support the planning, coordination and delivery of the Scottish Sprint competition and event programme
• Capturing event knowledge and developing practical systems and processes that make events easier and more sustainable to organise
• Supporting and developing the Sprint volunteer and officials workforce

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who can build relationships, coordinate people and activity, and understand what makes a good learning environment, and who wants to grow their knowledge of Sprint.

You will bring:

• Experience of working within sport, club development, coaching, events or a related environment
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with a wide range of people
• Experience of coordinating people, activity, projects or programmes
• The ability to work collaboratively and influence people without needing to directly manage them
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• An understanding of how positive sporting environments support learning, development and progression
• An understanding of how volunteer and employed coaches can work effectively alongside one another
• An understanding of the challenges and opportunities of working in communities experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, including awareness of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD)
• Clear and appropriate communication with coaches, volunteers, paddlers, parents/carers and partners
• A commitment to personal learning and ongoing professional development

Experience within canoeing, kayaking or another paddlesport discipline would be welcomed, as would knowledge of Sprint paddling, a coaching qualification, and experience of organising sporting events or competitions.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of Sprint paddling in Scotland.

You don't need to arrive with every aspect of the role fully developed. We will support you to develop your Sprint technical knowledge and coaching capability, so that you can increasingly contribute as a co-coach within club environments.

If you are motivated by helping people and clubs thrive, enjoy spending time where the sport happens, and want to see paddlesport act as a force for good in communities across Scotland, we would love to hear from you.

Additional Information

• Salary: £28,000 per annum
• Full-time (37 hours per week), permanent (following a 6 month probationary period)
• Hybrid working, with regular time in club and paddling environments and travel across Scotland as required
• Evening and weekend work will be required

Paddle Scotland is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. The successful candidate will be required to undertake safeguarding training and become a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.

How to Apply

For full details about the role, please review the Recruitment Pack.

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the position to hr@paddlescotland.org.uk.

Your covering letter should clearly demonstrate how your skills, experience and approach align with the requirements of the role.

If you would like to discuss the role in advance of an application, please contact our Head of Sport, Mark Ritchie, at mark.ritchie@paddlescotland.org.uk.

Closing date: 23:59 on Sunday 25 October 2026
Interviews: In-person, provisionally w/c 16 November 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so early application is encouraged.

Equality and Diversity Statement

Paddle Scotland is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, identities, and experiences.