High Performance Manager - Para Swimming / Para Athletics

Singapore Disability Sports Council; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) is seeking an experienced sport professional to join as High Performance Manager, guiding para sport toward APG29 2029 and LA28. The role will be the strategic and operational lead for Para Swimming or Para Athletics, shaping quadrennial plans and athlete support from domestic competition to the Paralympic Games.

You will manage athlete pathways, coaching development, integrated performance services, team management, budgeting, and stakeholder

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in high performance sport administration or programme management.
• Experience in athlete development and pathway work is an advantage.
• Demonstrated budget management, multi-disciplinary support teams, and complex logistics.
• Sound knowledge of WADA anti-doping regulations, athlete welfare frameworks, and IPC classification systems.
• Experience working with persons with disabilities in a sporting, rehabilitation, or community context is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement quadrennial and annual High Performance plans for the assigned sport, with focus on APG29 and LA28.
• Establish multi-year performance targets and athlete monitoring systems; benchmark against international competitors.
• Coordinate integrated sport science, medicine, strength and conditioning, and psychology services.
• Engage with international federations for technical developments, rule changes, and classification updates.
• Organise national championships, selection trials, and talent engagement events.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Works independently

Administration & Reporting

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Education

Degree in Sports Science/Management

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for an experienced and driven sport professional to join the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) as a High Performance Manager — at a pivotal moment for Singapore para sport. With Singapore set to host the ASEAN Para Games 2029 (APG29) and an ambitious programme build-out underway for the LA28 Paralympic Games, this role offers a rare opportunity to shape an elite programme from the ground up and deliver results on both a home stage and the world stage.

In this role, you will be the strategic and operational lead for your assigned sport — Para Swimming or Para Athletics — responsible for the full high performance programme: quadrennial planning, athlete and coaching support, integrated performance services, and national team management from domestic competition through to the Paralympic Games. You will also carry athlete pathway and development responsibilities, working directly with athletes, coaches and support partners across the full performance continuum. The specific sport will be confirmed at the point of appointment.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

High Performance Programme Management

• Develop and implement quadrennial and annual High Performance plans for the assigned sport, with immediate focus on APG29 and LA28, and extending through the Asian Para Games and World Championship cycles.
• Establish and maintain multi-year performance targets and athlete monitoring systems, benchmarking progress against multi-year targets as well as international competitors.
• Coordinate integrated support services — sport science, sport medicine, strength and conditioning, and sports psychology — tailored to the specific needs of the sport and athlete cohort.
• Proactively engage the relevant international federation to build relationships, stay current on technical developments, rule changes, classification updates, and best practice.
• Organise national championships, selection trials, and talent engagement events for the assigned sport.

Athlete Pathway and Development

• Lead athlete development across the full performance pathway for the assigned sport: identify and nurture para athlete talent, drive talent identification and transfer activities, and support SDSC’s NextGen Para Talent Programme.
• Lead the support of para athletes — including those on spexScholarship and spexPotential programmes — ensuring each athlete has a clear development pathway and the right level of programme services.
• Establish and maintain athlete performance monitoring systems; track progress against multi-year targets and benchmark athletes against regional and international competitors.
• Manage athlete transitions from development cohorts into the national programme, applying the Long-Term Para Athlete Development (LTPAD) model.
• Proactively manage athlete classification timelines; liaise with national and international classifiers to ensure athletes are competition‑ready.
• Work with Athlete Life Management to connect athletes to appropriate lifestyle, school, and career support throughout their athletic career.

Athlete and Coaching Support

• Work closely with the Technical Director, Head Coaches, and National Development Coaches to ensure training and competition programmes meet the highest international standards.
• Manage spexCarding and athlete support processes; oversee athlete welfare and holistic development across the full training-to-competition cycle.
• Facilitate coaching professional development opportunities; support para sport coaching pathways and accreditation frameworks
• Provide technical guidance on athlete training design, equipment selection, and sport-specific adaptations for para athletes.

Competition and Major Games Management

• Serve as the operational lead for all competition and team management activities: coordinate travel, manage equipment, submit entries, administer visas, and maintain budget control. Equipment requirements vary by sport (e.g. racing wheelchairs and throwing frames for Para Athletics).
• Build and manage TeamSG delegations for the Paralympic Games, Asian Para Games, ASEAN Para Games 2029, and relevant World Championships; actively manage athlete qualification pathways.
• Carry out all team management duties, including Athletes’ and Officials’ Agreements, accreditation, and serving as Team Manager or Secretariat at competitions as required.

Stakeholder Engagement & Administration

• Develop strong working relationships with coaches, athletes, sport science and sport medicine personnel, caregivers, partners, and service providers, ensuring alignment on performance goals.
• Represent SDSC at NSA and international federation meetings and technical forums; liaise with international federations to stay current on rule changes, technical regulations, and equipment standards.
• Prepare well-structured programme reports, selection criteria, performance analyses, and recommendation papers for the Pathway and Performance Director and relevant committees.
• Partner with the Corporate Communications team to promote assigned para sports and SDSC’s broader mission.
• Coordinate WADA and Sport Singapore anti-doping education; manage athlete whereabouts, registered testing pool obligations, and TUE processes.
• Champion SDSC’s athlete welfare and safeguarding policies; maintain a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment.
• Develop and manage the HP programme budget; maintain accurate expenditure tracking and variance reporting.

SPORT-SPECIFIC CONTEXT

This role covers one of two sports. Key sport-specific considerations are summarised below. The assigned sport will be confirmed at the point of appointment; candidates are encouraged to indicate their sport background or preference in their application.

1. Para Swimming
   • i. Federation: World Para Swimming
   • ii. Scope: All sport classes; long & short course
   • iii. Pathway scope: National squad + talent pipeline; World Series calendar; classification management
   • iv. Unique demands: Growing squad
   • v. Preferred background: Aquatics / multi-sport HP; athlete development experience
2. Para Athletics
   • i. Federation: World Para Athletics
   • ii. Scope: Track & field; standing, VI & wheelchair
   • iii. Pathway scope: National squad + talent pipeline; multi-discipline; track and field coaching streams
   • iv. Unique demands: Multi-discipline; adaptive equipment; guide and VI athlete management
   • v. Preferred background: Athletics / multi-discipline HP; experience across track and field

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Sports Science, Sports Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience in a relevant discipline will be considered.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in high performance sport administration or programme management; experience in athlete development and pathway work is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, multi-disciplinary support teams, and complex domestic and international logistics.
• Sound knowledge of WADA anti-doping regulations, athlete welfare frameworks, and IPC classification systems, or a genuine commitment to developing this knowledge.
• Experience working with persons with disabilities in a sporting, rehabilitation, or community context is highly regarded.

Skills & Competencies

Required skills

• Interpersonal Skills
• Communication Skills
• Works Independently
• Administration & Reporting
• Stakeholder Management
• Budget Management

Preferred / good-to-have skills

• HP Programme Management
• Para / Disability Sport
• Athlete Development & TID
• Competition & Team Management
• Classification Literacy
• Coach Development
• Sport Science Application
• Performance Analysis
• NSA / Federation Liaison
• Anti-Doping Compliance
• LTPAD / Athlete Pathways
• Athlete Welfare

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. SDSC is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion