Performance Director, Fencing Coach (Full-Time)

Fencing Club Trekanten is seeking an experienced and versatile Performance Director and Fencing Coach to join our progressive team in a full-time capacity. This dual role, allocated to 37.5 hours per week on average, combines performance management with hands-on coaching, primarily focused on foil, but also extending to épée and sabre. The ideal candidate will have a passion for developing top-tier fencers and a willingness to contribute across multiple disciplines and levels.

About the Role

This full-time position includes two key responsibilities:

1. Performance Director

• Strategic Collaboration: Collaborate closely with head coaches and the club’s elite committee to develop and implement long-term strategic goals for our talent and elite fencers, ensuring alignment across all levels of training and competition.
• Athlete Development: Conduct individual meetings with athletes to assess their progress, provide tailored guidance, and support their development through structured feedback and personalized action plans.
• Stakeholder Liaison: Act as the primary liaison between fencers, coaches, the board, and other stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and alignment on all performance-related matters.
• Season Planning: Lead the planning and execution of the competitive season, including the preparation of fencers for tournaments and the management of post-competition evaluations.
• Administrative Management: Manage administrative tasks such as competition registration, results tracking, and partner communication.
• Service Coordination: Oversee additional services for the talent/elite group, including mental and physical training, and physiotherapy.
• Budget Management: Ensure that the budget for the athlete development program is managed effectively and that expenditures do not exceed allocated funds in cooperation with the committee.
• Partnership Collaboration: Collaborate with key partners like Team Copenhagen and the national Fencing Federation to enhance the club’s talent and elite development program and provide additional opportunities for our athletes.

2. Fencing Coach (primarily foil)

• Performance Goal Alignment: Work in close collaboration with the head coaches to achieve the club's performance goals for the talent and elite group, ensuring that training methods and objectives are aligned with broader strategic aims.
• Training Session Leadership: Plan and execute training sessions, leading these sessions independently while maintaining high standards of coaching across all levels, with a particular focus on foil.
• Discipline Versatility: Besides foil, experience in either épée or sabre is expected,with the flexibility and willingness to step in and teach these disciplines as needed, even if not fully proficient, contributing to the overall development of the club's athletes.
• Video Analysis and Feedback: Utilize video analysis as a tool to provide detailed feedback and coaching adjustments, supporting fencers' technical and tactical development.
• Tournament Support: Provide on-site coaching at national and international tournaments, offering guidance and support during competitions as part of the broader performance strategy.
• Camp and Workshop Planning: Lead the planning, organization and execution of the club’s camp’s and other relevant workshops, ensuring these events contribute to the overall development of participants.
• Support for Adult Fencers: In addition to working with our talent and elite fencers, you will be expected to assist with our large group of adult fencers at least once a week. This includes planning and conducting training sessions tailored to their skill levels and goals, ensuring that our adult members receive the same high level of coaching and support as our competitive athletes.

Working hours will primarily be weekdays in the afternoon and evening. However, administrative tasks can be completed during the day. You will also participate in relevant meetings, courses, and networking events as part of your professional development.

About Fencing Club Trekanten

Located in Copenhagen, the Capital of Denmark, Fencing Club Trekanten is the country’s largest and most successful fencing club. With approximately 300 members across all age groups and skill levels, we provide a vibrant and supportive environment where everyone, from beginners to elite fencers, can thrive. We take pride in our dedication to excellence, offering state-of-the-art facilities and high-level education for our coaches. Our club regularly hosts international competitions and camps, fostering an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for fencers from around the world.

Inclusion is a core value in our organization. We are committed to providing a supportive and respectful environment for all athletes, regardless of background, identity, or ability. We believe that diversity strengthens our community and enhances the quality of our programs.

About You

We are looking for a candidate with:

• Technical Fencing Skills: A high level of technical and strategic fencing skills, with a primary focus on foil and experience in either épée or sabre, enabling you to contribute effectively across multiple disciplines.
• Coaching Experience: Documented experience as a coach, ideally including an international fencing career, providing you with the knowledge and expertise needed to guide fencers to achieve their full potential.
• Structured and Organized Approach: A structured and highly organized approach to planning and executing training sessions, competitions, and fencer development, ensuring consistency and high-quality outcomes.
• Strong Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate training philosophies, goals, and feedback to fencers, coaches, and stakeholders.
• Self-Driven and a Can-Do Attitude: A proactive and self-driven attitude, with the ability to identify challenges and independently develop effective solutions, contributing to the continuous improvement of our training programs.
• Basic IT Skills: Competence in using basic IT tools, with the ability to quickly adapt to the organization’s systems; training will be provided to ensure you are fully supported.
• Openness to Innovation: A curiosity and openness to new training methodologies and the ability to implement innovative structures, ensuring that our coaching approach remains dynamic and effective.
• Budget Management Experience: Experience in budget management, with a focus on ensuring that all financial objectives are met while maintaining a high standard of training and performance.
• Team Player Values: Willingness to document your work and share your training philosophy with the whole organization.

Fluency in English is required, and while Danish is not mandatory, a willingness to learn the language is essential.

What We Offer

At Fencing Club Trekanten, we are committed to providing a supportive and enriching environment for our staff as well as our athletes. As a valued member of our team, you will benefit from:

• Flat Organizational Structure: At Fencing Club Trekanten, we embrace a flat organizational structure where every voice is valued. We succeed as a team, working together towards common goals. Your input will directly influence our programs, and you will be an integral part of our club's success.
• Ongoing Professional Development: We believe in continuous learning and growth. You will have access to professional development opportunities, including coaching certifications, workshops, and conferences, to keep you at the forefront of the latest training methodologies and fencing techniques.
• Educational Support: Should you need it, we will support you through education programs, including language courses for non-Danish speakers, to help you integrate fully into our community and enhance your professional skills.
• Collaborative Work Environment: Join a dynamic team of passionate coaches and staff, where collaboration and knowledge-sharing are encouraged. You will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals and contribute to the club’s strategic direction.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Train and coach in a top-tier fencing facility equipped with the latest technology and equipment, providing the ideal environment for developing elite fencers.
• International Exposure: Travel opportunities are part of the role, providing you with the chance to gain international experience by attending and coaching at tournaments, training camps, and events across the globe.
• Inclusive and Supportive Community: Be part of an inclusive organization that values diversity and fosters a respectful, supportive environment for all members, regardless of background or identity.

 At Fencing Club Trekanten, we are not just offering a job—we are offering a career opportunity in a club dedicated to excellence, innovation, and the personal and professional growth of our team.

Interview Process

Our interview process is designed to ensure a mutual fit between you as the candidate and our organization:

1. Initial Online Interview: We will begin with an online interview to discuss your experience, skills, and interest in the position, as well as to give you an overview of our club and the role.
2. On-Site Visit: Selected candidates will be invited individually to visit our club in Copenhagen. This visit will allow both you and us to assess whether there is a strong match between your skills and our needs. You will have the opportunity to meet the team, observe our training environment, and get a feel for the club's culture. You are expected to conduct a couple of classes and give lessons during the visit.
3. Final Online Meeting: After all candidates have completed their visits, we will host a final online meeting to address any remaining questions and discuss potential next steps. This will help us make the final selection of the best candidate for the role.

We are committed to conducting a thorough and fair process to ensure that the chosen candidate is well-suited to our club and that you feel confident and excited about joining our team.

How to Apply

Please send your application, resume and references to Vice President This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (she/her/hers). If possible, include a video link showcasing your coaching in action. If you cannot provide a video, please describe a typical training week in detail.

Position Start Date: December 1st, 2024, ideally with participation in our international training camp from December 27th – 30th, 2024.

For any inquiries, feel free to contact:

• President, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (he/him/his)

 To learn more about us, visit our website or check us out on Instagram, Facebook or YouTube.

Fencing Club Trekanten is an equal opportunity organization and encourages individuals of all backgrounds to apply.