Elite Swim & Aquatics Director | Build a Self-Sustaining Hub

BEDE; Herstmonceux; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday allowance

Company pension with salary exchange

Employee Assistance Programme

Retail discounts

Aviva Digital GP

Gym/pool facilities access

Refer a Friend

Death in Service

Complimentary lunch

Free onsite parking

Job summary

Bede’s is seeking a Director of Swimming and Aquatics Manager to lead a national-level swimming programme and manage a self-sustaining aquatics facility. You will blend elite coaching with strategic commercial operations to attract student-athletes and optimise pool usage for revenue through internal swim schools, holiday camps, and partnerships.

The role demands high-performance leadership, strong stakeholder relations, and a commitment to safeguarding and safety standards across the Trust.

Qualifications

• Essential: Recognised elite coaching qualification.
• Desirable: Experience managing a commercial swim school, holiday camps, or a leisure facility.
• Location: Bede’s Trust (Upper Dicker / Eastbourne)
• Full Time, Permanent, 52 weeks, 40 hours per week; rota discussed at interview.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operational and strategic management of Bede’s aquatics facilities.
• Design and implement elite training cycles; prepare athletes for regional/national championships; foster high-performance culture.
• Utilise the performance swimming programme as a strategic recruitment tool in collaboration with Admissions.
• Balance curriculum priorities with internal Swim School, external clubs, and profitable commercial lettings via a Matrix Timetable.
• Drive commercial sustainability: maximise daytime hours, run holiday clinics, and manage costs.

Skills

Elite coaching qualification

Entrepreneurial mindset

Revenue generation

High-performance programme development

Job description

Bede’s is seeking a Director of Swimming and Aquatics Manager to lead a national-level swimming programme and manage a self-sustaining aquatics facility. You will blend elite coaching with strategic commercial operations to attract student-athletes and optimise pool usage for revenue through internal swim schools, holiday camps, and partnerships.

The role demands high-performance leadership, strong stakeholder relations, and a commitment to safeguarding and safety standards across the Trust.