SSF Development Officer Recruitment

Job Advert 

Job title: Development Officer  

Salary: £11,000 per annum (2 days per week), plus pension and benefits 

Location: Flexible working (including requirement to work at Lost Shore Surf Resort, Ratho) 

Reports to: Sport Operations Manager 

Employment: Part time, fixed term (to March 2026) 

Who are we? 

Formed in 1975 the Scottish Surfing Federation (Caidreachas Surfadh na h-Alba) is a membership organisation and the National Governing Body for the sport in Scotland. We oversee participation, progression and performance across all our disciplines (short boarding, knee boarding, long boarding, body boarding, skim boarding, tandem surfing, tow in surfing, standup paddleboarding, body surfing and all forms of para and adaptive surfing). As a registered charity, we also play a wider role in promoting water safety, improving conditions of life and in protecting our natural environment  

Our core purpose is to positively impact lives through our sport. 

What’s happening in surfing? 

The Scottish Surfing Federation (SSF) has grown over recent years as the sport of surfing has entered its Olympic era following its debut in Tokyo 2021 and will feature in Paris 2024, Los Angeles in 2028 and Brisbane in 2032. 

Closer to home, Scotland will open the Lost Shore resort, the largest inland wave pool within Northern Europe and at £56 Million build cost over a 60-acre site, the largest capital investment of any sporting complex in the last 10 years since the construction of the Commonwealth Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. 

We aspire to build on these national and international opportunities with sustainable and managed growth of the sport with our partners across multiple areas (tourism, economy, research and development etc) for the wider benefit of our surfing communities.    

Why join us? 

This is an unprecedented time of opportunity for surfing in Scotland and we are looking for fantastic people to help shape our journey. The position of SSF Development Officer is a brand-new post and will be critical in assisting us deliver against expectations as we rapidly grow and develop the organisation and the sport.  

Opportunity brings change, and we fully expect that this role will also evolve over a short timeframe. This means that the successful candidate will need to be flexible in their approach, but it also provides a fantastic opportunity to make this role their own.  

The role will include a broad range of experiences and responsibilities, from competitions & events, coach & volunteer development, to engaging communications. We don’t expect anyone to be an expert across all these areas, but we are looking for someone who will relish the challenge and opportunities that this role will bring.   

What is the role? 

The role is only the fourth role in our organisation, after our Chief Executive Officer (Paul Stark), Sport Operations Manager (Mark Boyd) and Head Junior Coach (Craig Sutherland).  

This role will be the focal point for coordinating SSF and partner activities (projects, events, competitions & training courses) at the Lost Shore Surf Resort and will report to the Sport Operations Manager. 

How do I apply? 

The Job Description and Person Specification can be found here.

To apply for the role, please attach your CV and a covering letter detailing how you meet the requirements of the post and send to us at info@thessf.scot  . Closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday the 5th of August 2024.

Interviews will take place on 15 August 2024 at Caledonia House, 1 Redheughs Rigg, South Gyle, Edinburgh, EH12 9DQ. 

The Scottish Surfing Federation welcomes applications from everyone and we value diversity in our workforce.  We are committed to being an exemplar employer with an inclusive culture where all our employees are treated with dignity and respect.   

If you have any queries about the application process or would like to discuss the role in advance of an application, please contact the Sport Operations Manager, Mark Boyd, at mark.boyd@thessf.scot