Director of Player Development & Elite Athlete Pathways

Placements24; Polokwane; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Executive salary package

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Director of Player Development for a leading sports academy in Polokwane. You will design and implement comprehensive programs guiding athletes from grassroots to professional levels, overseeing technical, tactical, physical, mental, and academic development.

The role requires a Master’s degree in a related field and 8+ years in elite athlete development or coaching with leadership experience, plus strong leadership and collaboration abilities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum 8 years in elite athlete development, coaching or sports management with leadership exposure.
• Proven track record of developing athletes to high competitive levels.
• Deep knowledge of sports science principles, training methods and talent ID processes.
• Exceptional leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee a holistic player development strategy and curriculum.
• Lead and mentor coaches, trainers and support staff.
• Recruit talented young athletes and assess growth potential.
• Track progress across technical, tactical, physical, psychological and academic domains.
• Ensure high-quality coaching, training and mentorship.
• Collaborate with professional teams or scouts regarding progression and transfers.
• Maintain detailed records of development and performance metrics.
• Promote life skills, education and character development alongside training.
• Stay updated on best practices in youth athlete development.

Skills

Leadership

Athlete development

Sports science

Coaching

Budgeting

Team management

Talent identification

Strategic planning

Education

Master’s degree in Sports Science, Coaching, Sports Management, or related field

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Director of Player Development for a leading sports academy in Polokwane. You will design and implement comprehensive programs guiding athletes from grassroots to professional levels, overseeing technical, tactical, physical, mental, and academic development.

The role requires a Master’s degree in a related field and 8+ years in elite athlete development or coaching with leadership experience, plus strong leadership and collaboration abilities.