Have you got what it takes to be next British Cycling Chief Exec?

handlebarcam wrote:

More seriously, why does this position command a six-figure salary? 

Serious answer: because this job isn't running a cycling club or a bike shop.  

British Cycling is a big business: millions of pounds in revenue from sponsorship, membership and events; thousands of staff; a responsibility to find and grow the next generation of elite talent under the close scrutiny of national and international media, bloggers and a million Twitter experts, and the responsibility to grow grass-roots participation.  There are also big questions over the governance, ethics and culture of the organisation which the CEO will need to respond to.

Sure, the HSBC funding is agreed for the moment but don't think HSBC won't have a break clause if they don't start to see the benefits from it; the governmental funding is probably safe for the moment but can't be taken for granted if the medals dry up.  That requires a certain level of corporate lobbying and negotiation experience in order to be taken seriously.  These people do not necessarily come cheaply because most of them could earn much more money in a 'real' job.

So... while we'd all like to think we could have a bash at it for that amount of money, could you really make a good job of it?  (Perhaps you could.)  I think people such as Boardman (and perhaps Hoy, Cooke, Pendleton, Pooley) might do an excellent job in campaigning, figurehead, mentor or coaching roles, you need an experienced corporate manager to manage the business.  Let's not have cycling make the mistakes that football does by employing "football people" in "business" roles; but this needn't mean that you have to have some faceless suit who doesn't care about cycling.

Happily there is no shortage of business people in this country with suitable profile and skills who are serious cycling fans.  Someone like John Caudwell and of course there are many others.

I don't agree that the Chris's would necessarily be good.

Then again my response is Yes! - I think a lot of people who are sensible decent types could do this job, no I don't think it needs lots of high faluting connections. 'Gis us a job'!!! 

I do hope they get someone who moves BC on and keeps it carrying on to being  the great cycling body it has and better!

The way the world is going, I'm putting a bet down on Kim Kardashian.

More seriously, why does this position command a six-figure salary? Surely anyone can live very comfortably in Manchester for half the implied minimum. British Cycling has already signed up their sponsor for the next eight years, so no fellatio of evil businessmen is required. They say they're paying for someone to "inspire" delivery, yet the people who will be on the receiving end of this inspiration, doing the actual work, are paid the absolute minimum. For example, there is a Programmes Officer vacancy also currently being adverted on their web site for a paltry, below national average £19,500p.a.

I'll do it if no one else wants to.