Jobs in Barcelona, United States

Senior Operations Manager (Athena Pathway Programme)

Closing Date : Tuesday 07 January 2025 @ 13 : 00 GMT.

Interviews : First Stage w / c 13 January 2025. Second Stage w / c 20 January 2025.

Start Date : March 2025 (ideally).

Contract : Fixed Term (approx. mid-2027).

Location : Initially based in UK or Barcelona. To be discussed. Travel between sites and to events required.

Hours of Work : Full time. Schedule to flex around the APP sailing programme.

Direct Reports : Approx. 3

What is the Athena Pathway Programme?

The Athena Pathway Programme (APP) was launched in August 2022 by Hannah Mills (OBE) and Sir Ben Ainslie, the world’s most successful Olympic sailors. The aim of APP is to fast-track the development of female and youth talent in high-performance sailing, bringing diversity into the sport, as well as the UK marine industry more broadly.

The Pathway was founded with sustainability at its core, with an ethos of ‘People, Planet and Purpose’; seeking to encourage athletes to use their voices in the fight against climate change.

What’s the opportunity?

The Athena Pathway Programme and Athena Racing Limited are seeking a Senior Operations Manager, who is excited to work in the fast-paced world of high-performance sport. The successful candidate will be a pivotal leader, responsible for driving operational excellence, delivering strategic goals, and ensuring the seamless execution of day-to-day activities. This role requires a results-driven professional with strong organizational, leadership, and project management skills, coupled with a passion for fostering inclusivity and developing the next generation of women and youth sailors in high-performance sailing.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Operational Execution and Planning : Collaborating with the Team Principle and leadership team to execute the Programme’s short-term and long-term strategy.
• Translating strategic goals into actionable plans, aligning operations with the Athena Pathway Programme mission to support gender equality, inclusivity, and high-performance development.
• Developing and tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure programme success and performance.
• Operational Management : Overseeing all operational functions of the Athena Pathway Programme, including training schedules, regatta participation, logistics, and maintenance; working for and seeking guidance from the INEOS Britannia COO and the Athena Pathway Programme Shore Manager.
• Ensuring timely delivery of all programmes (e.g., WASZP squads, AC40 campaigns) across the UK and international projects.
• Managing operational budgets efficiently, optimising resource allocation, and maintaining financial sustainability.
• Team Development and Leadership : Supporting the Athena Pathway Programme’s Team Principle to develop a strong organizational culture of collaboration, inclusivity, accountability, and excellence.
• Identifying and recruiting key personnel to strengthen the operational capacity of the programme.
• Supporting the professional development of team members to ensure high performance.
• Technical and Sailing Operations : Working closely with the Shore Team Manager to ensure yachts (e.g., WASZP, AC40) are race-ready, maintained to the highest standard, and compliant with class rules.
• Overseeing logistics, including equipment transportation, travel planning, and technical support for all training sessions and competitions.
• Collaborating with performance coaches to align operational support with athlete and team development needs.
• Stakeholder and Partnership Management : Fostering strong relationships with sponsors, commercial partners, sailing clubs, governing bodies, and suppliers.
• Collaborating with STEM education partners (e.g., 1851 Trust) to expand outreach and community initiatives.
• Sustainability and Environmental Focus : Championing sustainable practices across all operations, including equipment management, logistics, and events.
• Integrating environmental responsibility into programme delivery.
• Performance Reporting : Preparing regular reports for the Team Principal and Board, providing updates on programme progress, operational efficiency, and financial performance.
• Identifying risks and proposing mitigation strategies to ensure the consistent delivery of objectives.
• Safety : Ensuring that a safe sailing and maintenance programme is being carried out both on and off the water.

Who are we looking for?

At Athena Racing Limited, we understand that our people will shape our success. Although we appreciate that each candidate will come with their own unique strengths and opportunities for growth, below are some of the experiences, knowledge, and skills that we believe will give them the greatest opportunity for success in this role :

• Demonstrated success in managing operations, budgets, and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience in high-performance sailing environments (e.g., foiling, AC40 campaigns) preferred.
• Exceptional leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
• Financial acumen and experience managing complex budgets.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Technical understanding of high-performance sailing equipment and logistics.

What else is on offer for you?

• 25 days annual leave, plus public holidays, per annum.

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