Head of Rowing

Role Introduction

Eton College is seeking to appoint a Head of Rowing. The successful candidate will work with a number of ‘Masters in Charge’ (MiCs) of sports who collectively oversee the day-to-day running of the Eton College Sports Programme, reporting to the Director of School Sport (DoSS). The role will involve line managing all rowing staff, developing an effective strategy for the Eton College Boat Club (ECBC), managing the budget, overseeing the training programme and personally coaching a crew. They will be the first point of contact for any matters related to rowing both internally and externally.

This role is due to commence in September 2025, or earlier by mutual agreement, and accommodation will be provided. Further details of this will be discussed at the time of appointment.

Main Duties

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• The nature of the position means you will need to be flexible and undertake a variety of tasks. An overview of the role is outlined below.

Management of the Boat Club

• Work closely with the DoSS to continually develop and enhance the school’s rowing programme in line with Eton’s sporting philosophy.
• Line-manage all the ECBC staff, including teaching staff, those who are employed to work in the Boat Club on a permanent basis, and casual coaches.
• Collaborate with a variety of key stakeholders across the school and with external stakeholders to assist in the smooth running of ECBC.
• Manage the Club finances, including budgeting and control of various sub-funds, liaising with the DoSS and/or finance department where necessary.
• Liaise with the Dorney Boat Club staff about outreach activities and the Summer Schools rowing courses.
• Oversee the Procession of Boats on the Fourth of June (a major College event).
• Attend to other matters relating to ECBC. These may include but are not limited to: liaising with the Dorney Lake staff about scheduled events at the lake; keeping relevant information up to date on the Eton College website, parent portal and other websites/systems; overseeing the ordering of equipment and instructing repairs to boats; overseeing the ordering, distribution and charges for ECBC clothing.

Coaching

• Oversee the coaching programme across the whole club, including the 1st VIII.
• Personally coach a crew.
• Support the training and development of internal coaches and liaise with the Director of School Sport on the appointment of external coaches.
• Recommend to the Head Master, via the DoSS, the coach of the VIII on a three-year basis.
• Ensure that crew selection policy is transparent and that all coaches are aware of relevant school guidelines in this regard.
• Work with the DoSS to construct the fixture list.
• Plan the annual programme of training camps and rowing tours in line with relevant school policies, working with the rowing professional when doing so.
• Attend training camps, both in the UK and abroad, and help with driving a trailer of boats when required.
• Oversee the Internal Rowing programme working closely with the MiC of Internal Racing.
• Guide boys through the GB rowing trials procedure, accompanying boys if necessary.
• Liaise with representatives of US rowing programmes and advise boys on applying to US universities based on their rowing ability when required to do so.

Health & Safety and Safeguarding

• Be responsible for all Health and Safety aspects of Eton College Rowing, including, but not limited to: working with the Health and Safety Office to review all rowing risk assessments and to schedule annual inspections of the boathouses; being the boat club safety officer registered with British Rowing; overseeing the safety and cleanliness of all ECBC boathouses; overseeing the maintenance and transportation of the College’s fleet and equipment; continually reinforcing boys’ awareness of appropriate safety and conduct when involved in rowing (including travel to and from the rowing lake); keeping the Environmental Agency licenses for the ECBC fleet of boats up to date.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children;
• Where required, undertake regulated activity, such as unsupervised contact with children, ensuring that safeguarding procedures are followed by providing safe and effective care at all times;
• Commitment to and promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion;
• All positions at Eton are classed as ‘regulated activity’ as per the Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 guidance, therefore a good understanding of safeguarding procedures is essential;
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including but not limited to, completing safeguarding training as required, and ensuring any safeguarding updates issued by the College are read and understood;
• Understand and comply with procedures and legislation relating to confidentiality

Please see attached job description for full details.

The Ideal Candidate

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A passion for rowing within a boarding school environment and excellent pastoral instincts when dealing with students;
• Demonstrable experience of strong interpersonal skills when managing a team in order to bring the best out of others;
• Prior experience of working with varied and demanding stakeholders, ideally within the academic sector, and the proven ability to adapt your style to successfully build relationships and collaborate with a wide range of people;
• A proven track record as a successful coach;
• Considerable experience with modern telemetry equipment;
• A full driving license which qualifies you to tow a boat trailer;
• Experience of coaching pupils aged 13-18 would be advantageous.

Benefits

Eton College offers a wide range of benefits, including a generous pension scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced Maternity / Paternity scheme, a cycle to work scheme, subsidised lunches during term time, free or heavily discounted access to the College’s sport and leisure facilities and discounts at local retailers and businesses.

About the College

We are an equal opportunities employer and are seeking applications from suitable candidates from all backgrounds. We are dedicated to creating and sustaining an environment that values individuality and difference and celebrates the diversity of both staff and pupils by fostering perseverance, tolerance and integrity. We believe in equal opportunity for everyone, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.

DISCLOSURE CHECKS

Eton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including, but not limited to, reference checks with past employers, an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (including Barred List information), an online search and, where applicable, Prohibition checks. If you are successful in your application, you will be required to complete a DBS Disclosure Application Form. Any information disclosed will be handled in accordance with any guidance and/or Code of Practice published by the DBS. The College is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings (including those which would normally be considered as “spent” under the Act) must be declared, subject to the DBS filtering rules. It is a criminal offence for any person who is barred from working with children to attempt to apply for a position at the College.