Oundle School is seeking an enthusiastic, innovative and commercially minded Head Padel Coach to establish and grow a thriving padel programme at the Oundle Padel Club, a brand-new purpose-built facility due to open in January 2027. This is a unique opportunity to shape and develop one of the UK's fastest-growing sports from the outset, creating a vibrant and inclusive environment for School pupils, members and the wider community.

Reporting to the Sports Centre Manager, the successful candidate will lead all aspects of coaching and programme development, delivering high-quality coaching for players of all ages and abilities while driving participation, membership growth and community engagement. The role combines hands-on coaching with responsibility for competitions, events, outreach initiatives and the commercial success of the Club.

The successful applicant will be an ambitious and highly motivated coach, passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences and building a welcoming, inclusive and thriving padel community. Working alongside colleagues across the Sports Centre and wider School, the Head Padel Coach will play a key role in establishing Oundle Padel Club as a leading destination for padel in the region.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact, helping to launch and shape a flagship new sporting facility from day one while contributing to Oundle School's commitment to excellence in sport and community engagement.

Oundle and Laxton Junior Schools have long been associated with the very best of modern independent education, especially boarding. The Schools take seriously their responsibility to pupils so that they can emerge as decent, open-minded adults; ambitious about what they can go on to achieve and contribute. A team of around 800 staff, both academic and support, ensure an education of the highest standard is in place across the Schools with the efforts of the whole team focused on this fundamental aim.

As well as providing new and improved facilities for the School’s pupils, the Sports Centre facility has been designed to allow increased access to local residents, sports clubs and Schools. After accommodating the educational and social demands of the pupils the School is eager to develop wider access to the Centre and encourages participation by local community in a range of Sports and Leisure activities organised and managed by the Centre’s staff.

Our State of the Art Sports Centre offers a wide range of classes, fitness facilities and activities on a commercial basis, as well as numerous courses, children’s holiday clubs and organised parties. Our facilities include a 50-metre swimming pool, an 8-court hall, a 70-station fitness suite, a dedicated dance studio and three further multipurpose studios.

Qualifications
LTA Level 2 Padel Instructor qualification (Essential)
LTA Level 3 Padel Instructor or FIP qualification (Desirable)
A current full valid UK driving license, with no more than six points (Essential)
GCSE English Grade D or above, or equivalent qualification, or equivalent ability displayed (Essential)
Degree or qualification in Sports Coaching, Business or relevant field (Desirable)
A nationally recognised First Aid qualification (Essential)

Competencies, Skills & Experience
Experience delivering group and individual coaching (Essential)
Strong customer service and interpersonal skills (Essential)
Experience organising sporting events or competitions (Essential)
Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities (Essential)
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills (Essential)
Experience managing a coaching programme or sports club (Desirable)
Experience supervising coaches or instructors (Desirable)
Knowledge of leisure centre operations (Desirable)
Experience in membership sales and retention (Desirable)
Tournament Director or competition management experience (Desirable)
Community engagement experience (Desirable)
Experience working with juniors and school programmes (Desirable)

Personal qualities
Well organised and capable of prioritising own workload (Essential)
Responsible, honest and reliable (Essential)
A positive and flexible approach towards customer service (Essential)
Courteous and understanding approach (Essential)