Head Coach Epee

Job Purpose

The role as the Head Coach Épée provides accountability for the planning, delivery and evaluation of all sports-related tasks related to the Épée fencing discipline. This covers the development and control of yearly training plans subdivided into specific makro- and mesocycles including national and international competitions for all SOTC funded Épée fencing athletes of both genders. Regarding a current change in strategy within the SOTC high-performance fencing program, a major KPI for this position is to build successful long-term athlete development (LTAD) with emerging athletes (Under 14 & Under 17 age groups) and ensure the transition into the international elite level.

The Head Coach Épée is also responsible to organize and deliver the highest level of weekly routine training sessions and specific training camps for the elite and emerging Team Saudi Épée fencers. Together with the High-Performance Director Fencing and other SOTC-workforce, his major goal is to develop and oversee a long-term strategy for the next generation of Saudi elite Épée fencers of both genders. This outstanding coaching role is delivered against the background that fencing was named one of the “podium potential sports” in the Kingdom’s overall Olympic & Paralympic high-performance sports strategy towards Brisbane 2032 and the Asian Games in Riyadh 2034. Therefore, it is clearly aligned with a multi-year’s perspective with a major focus on building the next generation of Team Saudi Épée fencing athletes.

Job Specific Accountabilities

Strategic leadership in Épée fencing

• Develop, implement and oversee the annual and multi-year performance plans for Saudi elite and emerging-elite Épée fencers with special focus on long-term developing pathways towards Brisbane 2032 and Riyadh Asian Games 2034 (U14 & U17 ages groups).
• Lead the technical and tactical development of national Saudi athletes in Épée (U14, U17, elite levels).
• Lead technical planning for international competitions, training camps and preparation cycles.
• Establish a unified coaching philosophy, training methodology and technical standards across the Team Saudi Épée fencing program.
Monitor international trends and discuss them with the HP-director fencing & coaching team.
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Training & Competition

• Direct and supervise all Assistant Coaches in Épée fencing.
• Coordinate the work of Specialist Coaches assigned to high-performance athletes.
• Support the development and evaluation of national coaches within the federation system.
• Lead the preparation for major international events for both emerging-elite and elite athletes such as World Cups, World Championships, Asian Championships, Asian Games and Olympic qualification events.
• Plan and supervise national team training camps for both genders (U14/U17/elite level).
• Provide technical reports following competitions and camps.
• Ensure appropriate competition schedules are developed for athletes of both genders at different performance levels (U14/U17 & elite level).
• Identify and scout emerging talent across Saudi Arabia (for example provide prospective camps for U14 age groups of both genders).

Athlete Support & Engagement

• Oversee the preparation and performance of national team athletes in Épée fencing.
• Develop and coordinate individual performance plans for elite and emerging athletes.
• Supervise athlete selection recommendations in accordance with federation policies and performance criteria.
• Monitor athlete progress through regular performance reviews and competition analysis.
• Ensure effective transition of athletes from U14 & U17 levels to international elite levels.
• Ensure specific development programs for female athletes.

Learning & Development

• Actively participate in SOTC learning & development programs.
• Actively participate in development meetings called by the SOTC High-Performance Director Fencing or other SOTC leadership staff.
• Continuous learning approach to the specific (cultural) requirements working with emerging and elite Team Saudi athletes from both genders.

Coordination & Teamwork

• Work closely in a highly collaborative manner with SOTC High-Performance Director Fencing, SOTC leadership roles engaged in fencing, SOTC service experts such as S&C coaches, sports medicine and sports physiotherapy experts, nutrition and sports psychology experts and athlete’s wellbeing experts, all Assistant and Head Coaches of the SOTC fencing program and the Saudi Fencing Federation.
• Collaborate with the named team members and other stakeholders to ensure consistency and organization across the Team Saudi Olympic & Paralympic high-performance program.
• Escalate any operational or safety concerns to the SOTC higher leadership structures (for example High-Performance Director Fencing, Senior High-Performance Director Multi-Sports-Cluster, Senior Director athlete’s wellbeing).

Safety & Compliance

• Follow SOPC safety guidelines, coaching standards, and ethical practices at all times.
• Ensure training & competition areas are safe, organized, and suitable for participant use.
• Support adherence to all SOPC policies and procedures during weekly routine training activities, national and international training camps and national and international competitions.

Our Commitment:

At Team Saudi, we care deeply about creating a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for our athletes and employees. We welcome applicants who demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful workplace where everyone is protected, valued, and given fair opportunities to thrive.