Head Coach - Student Performance

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to lead one of the UK's most ambitious university tennis performance programmes at the University of Bristol.

Unlike many coaching roles in the UK, this position offers the chance to influence every aspect of a performance pathway within a university setting, combining elite coaching, athlete development, programme leadership and coach mentoring. You will work with highly motivated students who are committed to both academic and sporting excellence, helping them maximise their potential on court while supporting their personal growth and university experience.

The role sits within a progressive and well-resourced performance sport environment, where coaches collaborate closely with sports science, sports medicine and performance support specialists to deliver an outstanding athlete experience. As Head Coach, you will have the opportunity to shape culture, drive performance standards and leave a lasting impact on players, coaches and the wider programme.

Few coaching positions in UK tennis offer the same combination of performance ambition, leadership responsibility and personal reward. If you are passionate about developing people, building high-performing environments and helping student-athletes thrive during one of the most formative periods of their lives, this is an exceptional opportunity to make a genuine difference.

Key responsibilities include:

Leading and delivering a high-quality coaching programme for performance student-athletes, helping them maximise their potential throughout their university journey.

Creating a positive, ambitious and inclusive performance culture aligned with the values of the University of Bristol.

Developing clear athlete pathways and individual development plans to support player progression and long-term success.

Providing leadership, guidance and mentoring to assistant coaches, while contributing to the development of the wider coaching workforce.

Working collaboratively with sports science, sports medicine and performance support staff to deliver an integrated athlete experience.

Leading team selection, match preparation and competitive performance across the programme.

Using performance analysis and feedback to drive continuous improvement for players, teams and coaches.

Supporting the recruitment of talented prospective students and helping to enhance the University's reputation as a destination for both academic and sporting excellence.

Contributing to the strategic growth of the programme through effective planning, stakeholder engagement and budget management.

We are looking for an experienced and passionate tennis coach who is excited by the opportunity to develop high-performing student-athletes within a world-class university environment. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of delivering performance coaching programmes, developing players and managing relationships with a range of stakeholders.

Successful applicants will typically have:

An LTA Accredited + Level 4 or 5 Coach.

Significant tennis coaching experience with a strong understanding of player development and performance environments.

Experience of leading, managing or mentoring coaches and creating a positive team culture.

The ability to design and deliver effective development plans for players and programmes.

Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, challenge and support student-athletes.

A commitment to continuous professional development and a desire to innovate and improve.

An understanding of, or enthusiasm for working within, a higher education sporting environment.

Most importantly, we're seeking someone who is motivated by developing people, not just players. This role would suit a coach who enjoys building relationships, creating great experiences for student-athletes and contributing to a performance culture that supports both sporting success and personal growth.

Whether you are currently working in a performance programme, academy, county or national pathway, or are looking to take the next step into a leadership role within one of the UK's leading university tennis programmes, we would love to hear from you.

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