Careers

EAYR Programme Director - Job Profile


East Anglia Youth Rowing is hiring a programme director to expand its operation across the region. If you have a passion for using sport to improve life chances for young people - especially those from a disadvantaged background - and can build and run programmes, we would like to speak to you.

If you are interested in this role, send your CV with a covering letter to jobs@eayr.org. The closing date for applications is Friday, January 17th 2025

Background

Rowing is often referred to as the ultimate team sport. It encourages fitness, teamwork, and resilience. Young people who participate in the sport have higher levels of health and fitness and generally have better outcomes in all areas of their lives. Unfortunately, the sport has a reputation as elitist and lack of accessibility to the broad population.
East Anglia Youth Rowing was founded in 2022 to engage with young people across the region and involve them in the sport. So far, the results have been exceptional with more than 1,000 students getting involved in the sport in the last full academic year. We clearly have made a good start but have only scratched the surface of the opportunity to help young people in the area. The nature of our geography means that a successful programme requires that the schools we work with, develop a degree of self-sufficiency for the programme to be sustainable.
The primary role for the new program director will be to engage with schools and set up rowing and manage programmes with each of them that will be sustainable over the long term. There is an active group of trustees who are all deeply involved with the sport who will work with you.

Main job requirements

  • Working with the trustees, identify target schools in the area to create rowing programmes that meets their needs.
  • Build the on-boarding plan for new schools including training teachers and setting clear goals for student participation.
  • Regular monitoring and engagement with participating schools to track their progress and provide the required assistance to make their programmes a success.
  • Recruitment and management of session coaches who will deliver the bulk of the coaching activities.
  • Arrange regular intra and inter school competitions that get a good balance between performance and fun.
  • Report progress for each school back to the trustees on a regular basis against an agreed set of metrics.

Candidate Profile

  • Experience working with young people in a sporting or extra-curricular environment.
  • Ability to create fun learning experiences for young people
  • Good knowledge of rowing is required but since most of the training sessions are run by session coaches, a formal rowing coach qualification is desirable but not required if the candidate has relevant experience.
  • Strong project management skills and ability to engage a range of stakeholders including funding bodies, school staff and the sport’s NGB.

Working conditions

  • This is expected to be a part time role (3 days per week). However, this is flexible, and a candidate who has a rowing coach qualification could work a more days.
  • The role is based in the Cambridge area. It is expected that at least half of the time will be spent out with schools around the region and at training sessions.
  • Flexibility of working days is a requirement and there will be some weekend working.
  • East Anglia Youth Rowing is a registered charity and is an equal opportunity employer.

Coaching Opportunities with EAYR


We accept applications to join our coaching pool on a rolling basis.

East Anglia Youth Rowing is seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join our team as freelance coaches. Coaching opportunities are currently available in Norwich, Cambridge, Lowestoft, and other locations across East Anglia. We also welcome applications from coaches with links to new locations in the region. Our paid freelance roles include Assistant, Session, and Lead Coach positions, with the appropriate level discussed individually with successful candidates.

At EAYR, our core values of inclusion, challenge, and aspiration are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to providing opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds to develop their confidence, resilience, and personal potential through rowing. While rowing coaching qualifications are desirable, we also value equivalent experience and, most importantly, a passion for supporting young people’s personal development above and beyond rowing performance.

All positions are subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check, references, and completion of relevant safeguarding training, as safeguarding the welfare of our participants is our top priority. EAYR is an equal opportunities employer, and we actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in rowing.

For those interested in developing coaching skills or gaining youth work experience, we also offer volunteer positions and support coach education pathways that could lead to paid roles in the future.

To apply, please complete our Expression of Interest form.

A member of the EAYR team will respond within two weeks. For further enquiries, contact us at: jobs@eayr.org.

Volunteering Opportunities with EAYR


We also offer rewarding volunteering opportunities for individuals passionate about supporting young people’s personal development. Our volunteers play a vital role in delivering programmes that reflect our core values of inclusion, challenge, and aspiration, helping students from diverse backgrounds build confidence and resilience through rowing.

Whether you’re looking to develop coaching skills, gain youth work experience, or simply contribute to a meaningful cause, we’d love to hear from you. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to progress onto coach education pathways, which could lead to paid roles in the future.

To apply, please complete our Expression of Interest form.

A member of the EAYR team will respond within two weeks.