Head of Equestrian Sports

Millfield School invites applications for an inspiring and experienced Head of Equestrian Sports to lead its renowned Equestrian Centres. This role is an extraordinary opportunity for a dynamic equestrian professional to shape and drive forward a comprehensive programme that champions both rider and horse excellence, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that nurtures individuals of all abilities.

As Head of Equestrian Sports, you will have overall oversight of both the Senior School and Prep School Equestrian Centres. This includes ensuring the highest standards of equine welfare, managing budgets, staffing, and facilities, and maintaining a well-structured, efficient environment for students, staff, and horses alike. You will line manage and support the MPS Head of Equestrian Sports at the Prep School, ensuring alignment and consistency across both centres.

Key responsibilities include:

• Operational Oversight: Ensuring the seamless running of all aspects of the centres, including scheduling, facilities maintenance, compliance with regulations, and horse care standards.
• Business Management: Developing and managing budgets, tracking expenditures, and identifying opportunities for growth and sustainability.
• Team Leadership: Recruiting, training, and leading a dedicated team of equestrian staff, ensuring high performance and professional development.
• Strategic Development: Collaborating with the Director of Sport to align the equestrian programme with the School’s broader objectives, while also innovating and adapting each centres offerings.

We are looking for a dynamic, personable and energetic equestrian professional with robust organisational skills and an extensive knowledge of the equestrian world. You will have experience managing a business, a proven ability to lead a team, and familiarity with BHS governance, training and development programmes. Strong communication skills are essential, as you’ll build relationships with parents, students, and external partners, providing tailored guidance to enhance each rider’s experience and growth.

Desirable candidates may hold an HGV/7.5T license, have experience working with children across age ranges, and possess at least 10 years of practical coaching experience with developing riders across multiple disciplines.

This is a year-round role, averaging 42 hours per week with shifts potentially scheduled from Monday to Sunday. In return, you will receive a competitive salary, 10 weeks of annual leave (to be taken outside of term time), and access to an extensive range of staff benefits.

About us

Founded in 1935, Millfield’s vision is to be the world leader for the development of children. There are nearly 1,300 students at the senior school (year 9 to U6), with a 3:1 ratio of boarding to day. Although essentially a rural British school, 20 per cent of Millfield students are international and come from more than 70 countries.

Set in over 100 acres of grounds, Millfield’s size brings great opportunity, and the facilities are unmatched in the UK: an Olympic-sized swimming pool, golf courses, indoor centres for tennis, golf and cricket and an equestrian centre; concert hall, recording studio, theatre, art gallery, hi-tech Science block and outstanding teaching facilities; and high-quality boarding accommodation.

Our aim is to discover brilliance in every child and to immerse them in academic, creative and sporting opportunities to develop this brilliance. We offer an exceptionally wide range of courses and provide multiple pathways through the school to meet the needs of the individual child.

This unique opportunity allows you to lead the strategic direction and operations of prestigious equestrian centres within an exceptional school environment. If you are passionate about equestrianism and excel in operational and business management, we invite you to apply.

Closing date: Sunday 5th January 2025.

Millfield School is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all. We are a community that celebrates diversity, supporting our pupils and employees to be brilliant as individuals.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Specific safeguarding responsibilities for this position are outlined in the job description. Offers of employment are subject to satisfactory safeguarding checks including, but not limited to Enhanced DBS clearance. All positions within the school are exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Be kind, be individual, be brilliant. Millfield School, where being an individual is recognised as the key to brilliance.