Technical Director - Para Athletics (Full-Time, Contract 2+2 Years)

ABOUT THE ROLE We are looking for an experienced and accomplished Technical Director to join the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) — at a pivotal moment for Singapore para sport. With ambitious Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games targets on the horizon, this role offers a rare opportunity to shape the Para Athletics elite programme from the ground up and deliver results on both a home stage and the world stage. The Technical Director serves as the senior technical authority and Lead Coach Developer for Para Athletics. You will lead the design and oversight of a world-class high performance programme, drive the integration of evidence-based coaching and sport science, and build Singapore’s Para Athletics coaching capability from development level through to elite. You will also contribute to athlete pathway and talent pipeline activities, working closely with the High Performance Manager across the full performance continuum. This is SDSC’s most technically complex coaching leadership role, spanning multiple track and field disciplines across standing, vision-impaired (VI), and wheelchair classifications. Candidates should have demonstrable experience across at least two of the three classification groups. KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Technical Programme Leadership • Lead and implement a world-class individualised high performance programme, grounded in innovative, evidence-based coaching, sport science, and sport medicine practices. • Develop and maintain quadrennial and annual Performance and Pathway Plans, including detailed plans for identified athletes and clear benchmarks aligned to major Games cycles. • Establish and maintain Daily Training Environment (DTE) standards that support elite athlete development, progression, and performance. • Drive the integration of sport science, sport medicine, strength and conditioning, and sports psychology into training design and competition preparation. • Set, monitor, and review KPIs for the national squad, benchmarking progress against multi-year targets and international competitors. • Develop and implement selection criteria and measurable performance standards, including squad entry, retention, and Games selection benchmarks. Athlete Development & Support • Provide technical oversight of individual athlete programmes, ensuring training plans are evidence-based, athlete-centred, and aligned with each athlete’s classification, event, and impairment profile. • Oversee athlete well-being, actively contributing to a positive, inclusive, and safe sporting environment and culture. • Support athlete classification processes: advise the High Performance Manager on classification status and liaise with international classifiers to ensure athletes are competition-ready. • Play an active role in talent identification and transfer for Para Athletics: apply classification knowledge and sport-specific technical expertise to assess individuals with para sport potential, advise on sport class suitability and impairment-to-sport matching, and work with the High Performance Manager and SDSC’s Talent Identification function to build and sustain a strong athlete pipeline. • Lead the implementation of the Long-Term Para Athlete Development (LTPAD) model, establishing development benchmarks, defining athlete transition criteria, and ensuring the talent pipeline is well-structured and regularly reviewed. • Advise on guide-athlete relationships for vision-impaired athletes, supporting the High Performance Manager in guide accreditation, athlete-guide pairing, and welfare considerations specific to VI Para Athletics. Coach Development (Lead Coach Developer) • Design and implement a structured coaching development framework for Para Athletics, from community level through to elite. • Provide mentorship, technical guidance, and performance feedback to Head Coaches and programme coaches, elevating coaching standards and building sustainable coaching capability within Singapore. • Organise and lead workshops, on-deck/trackside/court-side training sessions, seminars, and certification opportunities covering Para Athletics-specific techniques, classification, sport science application, and evidence-based programme design. • Lead the sharing of knowledge, experience, and expertise across all coaches and practitioners within the national programme. • Develop a transparent coaching pathway that supports talent identification, coach retention, and long-term programme sustainability. Competition and Major Games • Provide technical leadership and coaching presence at major international competitions and training camps, including ASEAN Para Games, Asian Para Games, Paralympic Games, and relevant World Championships and Grand Prix events. • Contribute to competition strategy, event selection, and team delegation composition for major championships. • Advise on sport-specific equipment preparation and requirements for competition (including prosthetics, racing wheelchairs, throwing frames, and guide tethers). Stakeholder Engagement • Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with World Para Athletics and other relevant bodies, staying current on technical developments, rule changes, classification updates, and best practice. • Represent SDSC at technical forums, international federation meetings, and coaching conferences. • Work with the High Performance Manager and Pathway and Performance Director to contribute to programme reports, strategic plans, and budget proposals. CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS Qualifications & Experience • An internationally recognised coaching qualification or demonstrated and successful track record of coaching para athletes across multiple disciplines and impairment classifications (track and/or field; standing, VI, and/or wheelchair) to medal success at Paralympic Games and/or World Para Athletics Championships. • Additional qualifications or expertise in biomechanics, sport science, or performance analysis are highly valued. • Minimum 8 years of high performance coaching or technical leadership experience in athletics, including significant experience at the international para athletics level. • Deep working knowledge of World Para Athletics classification systems (standing, VI, wheelchair), technical rules, equipment regulations (including prosthetics and racing wheelchairs), and competition calendars including Grand Prix circuits. • Proven ability to design and deliver integrated, evidence-based performance programmes incorporating biomechanics, sport science, sport medicine, and holistic athlete development across diverse track and field disciplines. • Demonstrated experience and cultural competence in engaging and developing coaches at the high performance level. • Understanding of guide-athlete relationships and VI athlete welfare considerations specific to Para Athletics. • Strong knowledge of para athlete development frameworks and WADA anti-doping regulations. Skills & Competencies Required Skills • Technical Coaching Expertise • Communication Skills • Works Independently • Leadership & Mentoring • Stakeholder Management • Programme Planning Preferred / good-to-have skills • HP Programme Management • Para / Disability Sport • Athlete Development & TID • DTE Design & Monitoring • Classification Literacy • Coach Development • Sport Science Application • Performance Analysis • Anti-Doping Compliance • Biomechanics Application • Multi-Discipline Coaching • Guide / VI Athlete Management • Adaptive Equipment Expertise • Grand Prix / Championship Strategy HOW TO APPLY Submit your CV and a cover letter (including your current and expected salary, and the sport you are applying for or have experience in) to: sdsc.hr@sdsc.org.sg Subject line: Application – Technical Director Para Athletics Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. SDSC is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.