Overview
Plas y Brenin, the National Outdoor Centre, offers world-class training and assessment courses in outdoor disciplines such as climbing, kayaking, mountaineering, and more. Managed by the Mountain Training Trust (MTT), a charity founded by key outdoor organizations, the centre is dedicated to promoting safe and professional outdoor education. Located in a vibrant and inspiring setting, Plas y Brenin provides opportunities to enhance skills, gain qualifications, and fuel passion for adventure. It is renowned for its expert instructors and commitment to fostering personal and professional growth in outdoor pursuits.
Shape the Future of Paddlesport
We are seeking an inspiring and forward-thinking Head of Paddlesport to lead one of the UK’s most respected outdoor programmes into its next chapter.
Plas y Brenin has a proud heritage at the heart of Paddlesport in the UK. We are now looking for a leader who can honour that legacy while driving innovation, diversification, and growth—ensuring our Paddlesport offer continues to evolve and inspire the next generation.
This role is about more than delivering excellent courses. It is about shaping the future of Paddlesport at the National Outdoor Centre: developing new ideas, expanding audiences, building partnerships, and ensuring our programmes remain relevant, inclusive, and sector leading.
You will lead a highly skilled team of instructors, setting a culture of excellence, curiosity, and continuous improvement. Alongside maintaining our renowned core Paddlesport activities, you will explore new opportunities to broaden the centre’s impact and keep us at the forefront of outdoor learning and adventure sport.
As Head of Department, you will oversee programme development, team leadership, budgets, and operational delivery, working collaboratively across the organisation to drive innovation and organisational impact.
This is a rare opportunity to influence the direction of Paddlesport at the UK’s National Outdoor Centre, set within the outstanding landscapes of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.
We’re Looking For
A credible and experienced Paddlesport professional who combines technical expertise with strategic leadership and the ability to inspire change.
Why Join Us
* 25 days CPD each year for you and your team
* Free daily lunch
* Staff discounts and access to facilities including gym, climbing wall, and pump track
* Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
* Life assurance
* 28 days holiday
Our Commitment
We actively welcome applications from those underrepresented in the outdoor sector and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer.
This role involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and will require an enhanced DBS check.
Essential
* High level BCAB Coach status, or an equivalent high-level Paddlesport coaching qualification with the ability to achieve BCAB Performance Coach status
* Extensive Paddlesport coaching experience, including expedition leadership
* First Aid and Safeguarding qualification
* Experience working in safety-critical environments
* Strong leadership and people development skills
* Financial awareness and operational oversigt
* Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement
* D1 driving licence
Desirable
* BCAB Tutor status, or willingness to work towards this
* D1 plus E driving licence
* Experience managing performance, programmes, and teams
* WCMI / MCI / ML / RCI qualifications or equivalent expedition leadership experience
* Leadership or business qualification (e.g. ILM)
* Safeguarding Level 3
* Welsh language skills
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