Director of Racing & Training Grounds

Job title: Director of Racing & Training Grounds

Based at: Newmarket with travel across our various sites required.

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

About the role

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Director of Racing & Training Grounds to join our team in Newmarket. This pivotal role will act as Clerk of the Course for Newmarket Racecourses and oversee the operation of our grounds care function delivering world-class conditions for racing and training, ensuring that all departments work cohesively to deliver exceptional experiences.

About The Jockey Club

The Jockey Club stages thrilling sporting occasions and live events nationwide including The Grand National, The Cheltenham Festival & The Derby. Owning & operating 15 courses, millions of people every year enjoy the special experiences we offer through racing, music, food and entertainment on racedays and beyond.

As the largest commercial group in British racing, we are guided by our mission to act for the long term good of the sport. Every penny we make goes back into racing to promote excellence within Britain’s second biggest spectator sport. Our people are what makes this possible.

At The Jockey Club people are at the heart of what we do and drive our success. We are inclusive and actively seek to attract people with unique backgrounds and perspectives. Diverse, collaborative teams are pivotal to our success and support the potential and growth of all our people.

The Director of Racing & Training Grounds will

• Manage, motivate, develop and lead the Newmarket Team, to deliver outstanding training and racing facilities and exceptional customer service.
• Be responsible for all equine matters relating to all racedays at Newmarket. This is to include the racing surface, Weighing Room, Parade Rings, irrigation programmes, stable management, liaison with Trainers, Jockeys, Owners and Racing staff, race programming and other areas as required.
• Be the spokesperson on all equine and related matters at Newmarket.
• Have lead responsibility in the management of, and contact with, all The Thoroughbred Group representatives and other Industry bodies such as the British Horseracing Authority.
• Work with representatives of the British Horseracing Authority and members of The Thoroughbred Group, to ensure the smooth delivery of race days.
• Deliver excellent standards of turf husbandry and estate management.
• Identify and grow talent to ensure the right level and quality of resource is in place for current and future requirements setting clear, challenging and realistic goals for the team and ensuring these goals are achieved.
• Formulate, control and manage department budgets and expenditure working with the wider Newmarket family, whilst seeking to improve profitability.
• Liaise with relevant BHA Officials, and the JCR Turf Consultants.
• Manage turf and estate areas including Racing surface, Stable Yard, Weighing Room, Medical Room, Parade Rings, Horsebox Park, and other equine-related areas.
• Plan, implement and manage all grounds and course projects.
• Be responsible for all Raceday Preparation, including recruitment of medical and veterinary teams in compliance with BHAGIs 11 & 12, Raceday Going communication, Liaison with BHA Inspector(s) and other BHA Officials as required.
• Lead the recruitment and deployment of the Links, Weighing Room & Parade Ring casual staff.
• In conjunction with the Group Racing & Industry Relations Director - plan and manage the Fixture List and race programme, prize money budget and SIS race fee budget.
• Manage and submit the Programme Book and Racing Calendar returns (via NRAS).
• Define and implement an equine welfare strategy for Newmarket building on recent progress focusing on minimizing risk, improving outcomes and delivering facilities/processes that are industry leading.
• Contribute to the formation and delivery of JCR’s group wide welfare provisions and enhancements.
• Be responsible for all Racing and Training budgets, including maintaining monthly financial performance to achieve targets.
• Work with the Newmarket MD on the long-term capital investment plan and implementation.
• In conjunction with the management team, contribute to, and assist in defining the top-line strategies for Newmarket aiming to achieve the optimum fixture list, optimise the race programme, enhancing both quality and quantity of runners and the associated financial returns.
• Optimise international racing revenues where possible.
• Deliver the highest standards of Turf Husbandry.
• Maintain and build relationships with key customer groups and stakeholders (owners, trainers, jockey’s agents, breeders, sales companies, stable staff, the media, HRA, BHA, HBLB and RCA) and their trade bodies.
• Act as Raceday Clerk for the Group as required.
• Comply with all Health & Safety regulations, safe working practices, the Company’s Health & Safety Policy and Procedures, HSMS, management instructions, relevant risk assessments and mandatory training for the role.