Chief Executive Officer

Cobalt HR; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Paddle Cymru is seeking a new Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization in expanding its engagement with paddlesports across Wales. This role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and financial management skills, with a commitment to inclusivity and sustainability. As a flexible working role, the successful candidate will work closely with the Board and community stakeholders to achieve significant impact, including increasing participation and enhancing governance.

Benefits

Fully flexible working arrangements

Generous annual leave entitlement

Pension

Training and professional development opportunities

Employee welfare program

Free Paddle Cymru membership

Qualifications

• Experience in senior leadership roles, preferably in sports governing bodies.
• Ability to work remotely and manage personal schedule.
• Commitment to values of equality and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Lead Paddle Cymru and ensure delivery of operational goals.
• Manage finances, budgets, and strengthen funding partnerships.
• Raise organisational profile to grow engagement and membership.

Skills

Strategic planning

Financial management

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Risk management

Diplomacy

Creativity

Education

University degree or significant relevant experience

Tools

Excel

Job description

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Paddle Cymru is the National Governing Body for paddlesports and recreational paddling in Wales. We are an organisation of over 4,000 members, with 42% female members.

We are committed to advancing the sport through inclusive participation, strategic development, and environmental responsibility. As an NGB, we serve a diverse community of paddlers, clubs, coaches, and volunteers, working collaboratively to promote safe and equitable access to Welsh waterways.

Our remit encompasses the development of grassroots engagement, the support of high-performance athletes, and the delivery of national initiatives that reflect our values of inclusivity, sustainability, and excellence. We work in close partnership with Sport Wales, local authorities, and a range of community and environmental organisations to ensure our programmes are impactful and far-reaching.

Paddle Cymru is governed by a dedicated Board of Directors who provide strategic oversight and ensure that our operations align with our mission and objectives. We are now seeking to appoint new Board members who bring diverse perspectives, professional expertise, and a shared commitment to the growth and integrity of paddlesport in Wales.

Our Organisational Structure

The Board of Paddle Cymru consists of nine Board members, who are a mix of Independent members who bring a range of skills, and elected members, appointed by the membership of Paddle Cymru. The Board is led by a Chair who is an Independent member.

All of these appointments are subject to AGM approval.

The Role of the Board

The Board of Paddle Cymru provides leadership to the organisation.

The Chair undertakes line management of the Chief Executive Officer.

Our New Chief Executive Officer

Our new Chief Executive will be committed to getting more people than ever onto the water. This, on its own, is an exciting challenge.

As well as the recruitment of a number of new Board members, our new Chief Executive Officer will be joining the organisation at a time when the organisation is under-going a reset.

Our new Chief Executive can play a pivotol role in the review of our strategic goals and how we will achieve them. If you are looking for a challenge, this could be the ideal role for you.

The Role

Our new Chief Executive Officer will:

• Develop partnerships and programmes needed to get more people on the water.
• Provide inspiring leadership for our staff team, with the ability to listen.
• Ensure a sustainable future for the organisation, both in terms of environmental impact and commerciality.
• Use insight to develop a strategy to drive growth and improve the quality of our services.
• Have a talent for diplomacy and the confidence to make tough decisions.
• Have a knack for building consensus around solutions to contentious issues
• Ensure we continue to have a strong policy framework and excellent systems and procedures for safeguarding and child protection.
• Be an expert in helping others do their best by supporting their team to use their talent, passion and experience.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced senior leader, with a flexible home working policy. It is essential that you have a robust IT infrastructure, so that you are able to work effectively remotely.

This Role will involve:

Leading and managing Paddle Cymru, working with the Board of Directors and staff to ensure the delivery of all operational and strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Review the Paddle Cymru Strategic Plan, ensuring an appropriate monitoring system is in place to ensure success.
• Lead the staff team effectively, ensuring all Paddle Cymru staff are motivated to succeed in their roles.
• Raise the profile of Paddle Cymru within the Welsh sports sector to grow participation and increase membership.
• Manage and strengthen existing relationships, including our funding partnership with Sport Wales.
• Work closely with, and report regularly to, the Board of Directors.
• Manage budgets, risks, policies and other governance matters.
• Embed our Equality Policy, and manage all HR activity on behalf of Paddle Cymru.

Person Specification for the role:

Qualifications and relevant experience:

• A university degree or significant relevant experience.
• Experience of working in a senior leadership role for a sports governing body, or similar body
• Experience of budget setting and management

Knowledge and skills:

• Strategic planning and evaluation.
• Understanding of risk management techniques
• Financial management skills, able to use Excel and other software tools to prepare and manage budgets.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to write and speak clearly and effectively.
• Able to work remotely and manage your own schedule and work priorities with only occasional support from the Chair.
• Passion for sport and an abilIty to motivate and energise others.
• General understanding of safeguarding.
• Understanding of, and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Personal Qualities:

• Sets high standard for self and others and represents the values of Paddle Cymru - with a commitment to the highest ethical standards.
• Creative and adaptable - always seeking new ways to improve while learning from experience, research and insight.
• Demonstrates confidence, diplomacy, empathy, enthusiasm and initiative.
• A commitment to achieving equality and diversity in high performance sport.

Requirements:

• Current full driving licence and access to transport.
• Robust IT infrastructure to enable remote working.
• Able to occasionally work unsocial hours, including evenings and weekends with overnight stays when required.
• Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Other relevant information:

Working hours: Three days/22.5 hours per week, flexible hours

Location: Home working, based in or close to Wales.

Length of contract: Permanent

Salary: Pro rata based on £60,000.

Fully flexible woFully flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave entitlement, pension, training and professional development opportunities, employee welfare and support programme, and free Paddle Cymru membership

Other requirements:

• You must complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check prior to starting the role.
• You must have a valid UK driving licence as the role requires occasional travel.
• As the role involves working from home, you should have a home office or a private space to work at home and a good internet connection - though if this is not possible, we may be able to arrange office space for you.

How to Apply

Please submit the following:

• Your CV, including details of relevant experience and qualifications.
• A covering letter highlighting your relevant experience, and suitability for the role.

Submit your CV and covering letter to us by emailing Suzanne Parkin [e-mail].

Closing date for applications is 6pm, 25th July 2025.

Further Information

Should you require any further information on the organisation or wish to discuss the role, please contact Kerry Chown, Chair, at [e-mail]

Equal Opportunities and Inclusivity Statement

Paddle Cymru is firmly committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion across all areas of our work. We actively seek to create an environment where individuals from all backgrounds feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to contribute.

We recognise the importance of addressing under-representation within our sport and organisation, and we particularly encourage applications from individuals belonging to groups that are currently underrepresented in paddlesport and governance roles.

All appointments will be made on the basis of merit, and candidates will be assessed fairly and transparently in accordance with our values and commitment to inclusive practice.

If you would like to apply in an alternative format or require adjustments during the application process, please contact us at [e-mail]

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

Job function

• Job function

  Business Development and Sales

• Industries

  Human Resources Services

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