PADDLE CYMRU VACANCIES

Chief Executive Officer - We are recruiting a CEO who will be committed to getting more people than ever onto the water.

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 undergoing a reset. Our new Chief Executive can play a pivotal 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.

Our new Chief Executive 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.

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

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.

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.

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

Benefits: Fully 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.

Further Information:

Submit your CV and covering letter to us by emailing Suzanne Parkin at suzanne.parkin@paddlecymru.org.uk.

Closing date for applications is 6pm, 25th July 2025. Should you require any further information on the organisation, or wish to discuss the role, please contact Kerry Chown, Chair, at kerry.chown@paddlecymru.org.uk

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 Admin@paddlecymru.org.uk

Non Executive Independent Directors - We are seeking suitable people to undertake the following two voluntary roles: Safeguarding Director and Treasurer.

The Role of the Board

The Board of Paddle Cymru provides leadership to the organisation within a framework of effective and prudent controls, ensuring that risks are properly assessed and managed.

They are responsible for approving and monitoring the company’s strategic plans, ensuring sufficient financial and human resources are in place to achieve its objectives, and evaluating management performance. Additionally, the board establishes the company’s values and standards while ensuring its obligations to stakeholders and others are clearly understood and fulfilled.

Directors have statutory responsibilities, which include the following:

• Acting in accordance with the Articles and using their powers solely for the purposes for which they were granted;
• Promoting the success of the organisation to achieve its stated objectives;
• Exercising independent judgment in decision-making;
• Applying reasonable care, skill, and diligence in their duties;
• Refraining from accepting benefits that could lead to conflicts of interest;
• Declaring any conflicts of interest to the other directors.

Responsibilities

Each Board member is expected to apply their specific skills, knowledge, and experience to contribute effectively and assist the Board in making informed decisions.

For the Treasurer role, this will involve:

• Ensuring, with the Chair and Chief Executive, that Paddle Cymru discharges its duties in a legal and effective manner;
• Scrutinising Board papers, attending Board meetings and participating in discussions to ensure the effective governance of Paddle Cymru;
• Bringing independent judgement to the decision making processes of the Board;
• Ensuring that the Paddle Cymru planning and budgeting processes are conducted in accordance with the Articles and governance policies of the Company;
• Ensuring that Paddle Cymru develops and implements necessary and appropriate policies;
• The role requires attendance at monthly Board meetings, participation in Board committees, as agreed, and, occasional attendance at events to represent Paddle Cymru;
• Provide strategic oversight of the organisation’s finances to support long-term sustainability;
• Ensure compliance with financial policies, legal obligations, and reporting requirements;
• Support the development and review of budgets, accounts, and financial planning;
• Present financial information to the Board in a clear and accessible manner;
• Contribute to sound financial decision-making in line with the organisation’s mission and values.

For the Safeguarding Director role, this will involve:

• Attending Board meetings as the safeguarding representative and raise and champion safeguarding issues within the Board, ensuring that Paddle Cymru maintains the highest levels of active engagement and best practice;
• Providing strategic leadership and expertise within the area of safeguarding and child protection;
• Reviewing and providing input into policy documents and advise on safeguarding issues arising within the sport;
• Working closely with the Paddle Cymru National Safeguarding Lead, providing them with support, where required, and assist the Board in monitoring their safeguarding work;
• Attending the CPSU Working Group and helping to progress the sportʼs Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan;
• Be a member of Paddle Cymru Safeguarding Case Management Group and consider safeguarding cases as and when required; and attending other relevant meetings as and when they are required with Sport Wales and the CPSU.

Time Commitment

Board members are expected to attend scheduled Board meetings throughout the year and to actively contribute to the strategic leadership of Paddle Cymru. While we recognise that exceptional circumstances may occasionally prevent attendance, we trust our Board members to prioritise their commitment to the organisation wherever possible.

Term of office

Appointments to the Board are made for an initial term of four years from the date of appointment. Subject to mutual agreement and continued eligibility, Board members may be reappointed for one additional term of four years.

Who Can Apply

To be considered for this position, you must be independent from the structure of Paddle Cymru

Independence is classed as:

• A person, who is not a member of any committee within Paddle Cymru;
• a director of, or a member of any committee established by, any National Association;
• a chair or secretary or treasurer of any Member club;
• or an individual whose primary employment or source of income is not a paddlesport trading activity.

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  suzanne.parkin@paddlecymru.org.uk. Closing date for applications is 6pm, 27th June 2025.

Further Information

Should you require any further information on the organisation or wish to discuss the role, please contact Kerry Chown, Chair, at kerry.chown@paddlecymru.org.uk 

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 Admin@paddlecymru.org.uk