Shotgun Performance & Pathway Coach: Scottish Target Shooting (STS)

Events/Disciplines: Olympic Trap, Olympic Skeet and Para Trap
Role Type: Contracted
Rate: Negotiable
Number of Days: Negotiable
Initial Term: 1^st February 2025 – 31^st March 2026

Scottish Target Shooting (STS) has the role of driving the performance programme for target shooting in Scotland. We are excited to announce that we are advertising for a performance coach to join our team. The post-holder will be responsible for supporting the delivery of Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth success through working with the Performance & Pathways Manager, Scottish performance athletes and other coaches. This is a great opportunity to be involved in a close, well supported performance environment where you will not only coach Scottish athletes to success in the short term but can also influence the future direction of the shooting performance programme.

Who Are Scottish Target Shooting?

Scottish Target Shooting (STS) is a unified governing body created in 2016 to help develop the sport of target shooting in Scotland. In 2018 STS took over management of the performance programme for shooting in Scotland, aimed at delivering success for Scottish athletes at ISSF/Olympic, WSPS/Paralympic and Commonwealth competitions.

What Will Be My Tasks and Responsibilities?

The performance coach will support the work of the Performance & Pathways Manager to help the programme and its athletes meet agreed goals by:

• Support Tier 1 athletes by providing individual coaching support, developing and monitoring personalised training and competition programmes. Where relevant, this includes working with external coaches (e.g. British Shooting coaches) to collaborate effectively in ensuring the athlete’s performances, goals and training programmes aligned and wellbeing prioritised.
• Support Tier 2 Shotgun squads by providing squad coaching support and squad training programmes, and develop and monitor personalised training and competition programmes for Tier 2 Shotgun athletes.
• Support Tier 3 Shotgun squads by providing squad coaching support and squad training programmes.
• Work with the STS Performance & Pathways Manager to support athletes, plan training and competition programmes in line with budget, and provide discipline-specific input to strategy planning or other performance programme related project. 
• Work with Scottish Institute of Sport (SIS) practitioners, providing guidance on athlete needs and support development of individual athlete programmes and squad education strategies.
• Support the STS Pathways Lead in developing a pathway for Shotgun shooting by providing technical input and any other support as requested from time to time.
• Work with club and individual coaches to foster connections to emerging athletes, in order to support the improvement of the Scottish Shotgun pathway and to identify and develop young Shotgun athletes for future.
• Provide mentoring support to other coaches identified by STS (currently referred to as Breakthrough coaches).
• Complete STS & Scottish Institute of Sport (SIS) reports to track the development of programme athletes.
• Support the STS Performance & Pathways Manager in developing, implementing and reviewing the selection processes used by STS for selecting athletes for the STS performance programme and teams sent by STS to competitions.
• Perform the role of Team Manager at competitions when required.
• Any other tasks required for the fulfilment of the role.

What Are The Terms?

The following terms have been provisionally agreed and are subject to applicant suitability and sportscotland investment in STS:

• The number of days contracted will be negotiable and dependent on funding and flexibility to allocate these funds across the two remaining years of a four-year cycle (2023-27).
• It is desirable that the coach can commit to the programme for the remainder of the four-year investment cycle (to 2027) but initial contracts will be issued on a one year basis.
• The post will be required to work evenings and weekends for meeting with athletes and supporting competitions both in and outside of the UK.
• The post will be accountable to the Performance & Pathways Manager.
• The post will be responsible for managing their own time.
• The post will be responsible for providing their own computer.
• STS can provide support with making travel arrangements, bookings and contacting athletes.
• The post will work from home, online and on location with athletes.
• All reasonable out-of-pocket expense incurred on STS business will be reimbursed in accordance with the STS Expenses Policy.

What Knowledge, Skills & Qualities Are Required?

Applicants are not expected to fulfil all the criteria but should be able to demonstrate the majority of the following:

Knowledge & Experience:

• Experience of working with performance Shotgun athletes, in the events stated, at an international level.
• Experience of working in performance sport and performance programmes.
• Knowledge and practical experience of coaching shooting for athletes with physical disabilities.

Skills:

• Clerical and administrative skills.
• Develop a positive team environment that encourages individuals to excel.
• Communicate effectively with programme athletes and personnel.
• Compose and produce reports using IT applications (Word, Excel etc.)
• Set clear targets.
• Work accurately and to tight deadlines.
• Challenge athletes not meeting expectations in a constructive and professional manner.

Personal Qualities:

• Work on own without detailed instruction.
• Self-motivated demonstrating drive and enthusiasm.
• Flexible, proactive and able to work under pressure.
• Apply discretion in sensitive issues and maintain confidentiality at all times.

What Is The Application Process?

STS is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all members of the Scottish, British and international community. We have successfully run the programme using international coaches based abroad and would therefore encourage any coach interested in working with our Scottish athletes to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Applications must be submitted using our Online Application Form

By the deadline of 12PM (BST) on 19^th January 2025

Stage 1: All applicants will receive a response confirming receipt of their application. A review will be made of all applications and each applicant will be informed if they have been chosen for stage 2.

Stage 2: All applications will be considered and receive a response within 2 weeks of the closing date with an update on their application. Applicants will be shortlisted by an internal STS selection committee. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online or face to face interview, conducted with members of the committee. An appointment will be made if the committee agree that there is a suitable candidate for the post and the candidate accepts the terms offered.

I Have Questions About The Role, Who Can I Contact?

If you have any questions about the role, history of STS, organisation structure or anything else that will help inform your decision to apply, please speak to the STS Chief Operating Officer. Please call the STS Office on 0131 467 2489, email on coo@scottishtargetshooting.co.uk or schedule a call.

STS is an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from all members of the community.