Lead Physical Preparation Coach

Pentathlon GB is the National Governing Body for Modern Pentathlon in Great Britain, dedicated to producing world‑class athletes and supporting them to achieve their full potential on the World and Olympic stage. In alignment with performance objectives, we are looking for a Lead Physical Preparation Coach who is motivated by working in a high‑performance sport environment and can develop our World Class Programme (WCP) and Pathway athletes aiming for success at the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games About the job The Lead Physical Preparation Coach is responsible for working alongside the Lead Performance Coach and Lead Pathway Coach, managing physical preparation for the World Class Programme (WCP), Senior and Junior Academy athletes, developing training plans and aligning these to Performance Plans. The Lead Physical Preparation Coach will take a lead on developing physical characteristics aligned with the new format of the sport across the WCP and pathway including session delivery to WCP athletes, Senior and Junior academy athletes. This role is in alignment with Pentathlon GBs Performance Strategy of developing ‘physically dominant athlete’s’ and supports Pentathlon GB performance targets of medalling at the Olympic Games. The Lead Physical Preparation Coach will be responsible for building training programmes, leading on physical development, gym programming and coaching across the World Class Programme and will support coaching delivery across the physical Pentathlon disciplines of obstacle course racing, running and swimming. This role will work closely with the Lead Performance Coach and the Head of Performance Support and members of the Sports Science and Medicine Team (SSSM) to develop, adapt and monitor athletes to achieve their physical goals. Key Responsibilities Physical Preparation and Athletic Development Design, lead and deliver strength and conditioning programmes for the WCP, Academy and Pathway athletes for Pentathlon GB, providing high‑level coaching and training for the athletes centralised at the National Training Centre (Bath), with the objectives to enhance athlete performance and to develop robust athletes capable of training for the new competition format and to become a physically dominant nation in the sport. Apply evidence‑based principles of training science, recovery, and injury prevention to optimise athlete performance. • Develop robust monitoring and screening protocols as well as a good understanding of “what it takes to win” and “what it takes to train” in the physical performance space. In depth understanding of training load, physical assessments, and benchmarks (core competencies) aligned with the sports to guide individual athlete planning. Work with the Lead Performance Coach and Lead Pathway Coach to develop individual and group training plans, to align with individual athlete development goals. Work with Sports Science and Medicine support in an integrated way to develop optimal performance with individual athlete goals and programme objectives. Coaching Deliver coaching sessions primarily across S & C and supporting across the physical training disciplines (obstacle course racing, running and swimming), alongside the specific individual sport coaches. Manage athlete overall programming across the confirmation stage of the World Class Programme and the Senior Academy athletes during competition season when the Lead Performance Coach and the Lead Pathway Coach will be primarily travelling to competition. Develop and deliver relevant prehab and rehab sessions with an objective to enhance athlete performance and to develop robust athletes capable of sustaining the training needed for the new competition format. Input into multidisciplinary team meetings with insights and updates in the Physical Preparation area. Collaborate with the Lead Performance and Pathway Coaches to develop a structured training sessions and annual training plans within the overarching Olympic cycle performance plan, aligning with performance and competition schedules. Deliver Pathway camp support and education in the area of physical preparation. Competition Support Support at camps and competitions to provide coaching support in a high‑performance environment, optimising performance execution. Develop understanding of the competition format and how to maximise preparation and recovery through a competition to optimise athlete performance. Develop good understanding of competition rules and identify areas to maximise performance advantage in the physical preparation and recovery areas. Develop aligned framework of strength and conditioning coaching practice across the WCP and Pathway. Design and deliver coaching education sessions in strength and conditioning and physical preparation. Collaborates with Lead Performance and Pathway Coaches, ensuring physical preparation goals are aligned with the programme performance strategy. Individual Discipline Coaches, understanding training and competition requirements and building optimised physical preparation training plans to maximise performance. Head of Performance Support and Sports Science and Medical Team, integrating world leading SSSM support into physical preparation planning. • Head of Pathway, ensuring consistency and alignment across the performance pathway. Required skills and experience Degree level (or equivalent) in sports science or related area, specialising in physical preparation of elite athletes. Extensive experience in the provision of strength and conditioning support and coaching to athletes to improve performance. Higher degree level (or equivalent) specialising in the physical preparation of elite athletes. Accredited Strength and Conditioning qualification (e.g., UKSCA, NSCA CSCS, or equivalent). Extensive experience of analysing the demands of a sport in relation to performance outcomes and identify the strength and conditioning requirements. To develop, implement and evaluate strength and conditioning programmes for individual athletes alongside these. Extensive experience of diagnostics and monitoring to inform the coaching process. Experience of working with a multidisciplinary team in the delivery of physical preparation of athletes. Knowledge and Skills Understanding of the needs of coaches and athletes in a high‑performance environment. Understanding the principles of training science and recovery to achieve performance outcomes, particularly in a concurrent training and multi‑sport environment. Ability to coach athletes to make progressive physical changes in a structured and safe way. Ability to technically coach lifting, design supplementary exercises and correct faults. Knowledge of concurrent training methodology and implications for periodisation and skill development. Knowledge of physiology and anatomy and implications of physical load on injury and recovery. • Ability to modify training programmes with appropriate assessment data. Ability to apply scientific principles in validating testing protocols and understanding variability and smallest worthwhile change. Communication of complex data to be easily understood by different audiences. Excellent coaching skills to motivate behavioural change and improve performance and the ability to adapt to individual learning styles and development needs. Desire to learn and develop with regard to gaps in knowledge in understanding the sport demands in Pentathlon. Can demonstrate knowledge and awareness of Athlete Support Personnel roles and responsibilities under the current World Anti‑Doping Code. Engage in development in this area completing the UKAD Accredited Advisor certification. Commitment to Athlete Welfare and Safeguarding, understanding policies and best practice, and enhanced DBS certification. Expertise in coaching relevant to one or more of the Pentathlon disciplines. Application Deadline: Sunday 14th December 2025 at Midnight. First round telephone interviews: W/C 15th December (likely Wednesday 17th/Thursday 18th December) Second Round In Person Interview (University of Bath Sports Training Village): Wednesday 7th January Wigan, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom #J-18808-Ljbffr