Swimming Australia has today started the search for a new Director of High Performance to help steer the sport towards future international success.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the development, management and delivery of Swimming Australia’s high performance plan. The move follows a decision by the Swimming Australia Board last week to make the performance director's role a full time post.

Swimming Australia President Barclay Nettlefold said: “This role is important to the future success of the EnergyAustralia Swim Team and our development pathways from club swimmer to elite performer. We have identified this key position within Swimming Australia’s organisational structure, following a number of discussions and planning sessions within the High Performance Unit post London, and it is a position that will provide National Head Coach Leigh Nugent with additional support."

A week after announcing a $10m deal that sets up The Georgina Hope Foundation Swimmers Support Scheme with the help of Gina Rinehart, Nettlefold said: "The Australian Sports Commission is currently reviewing the sport and our performances in London, but we also want to be proactive in improving on the structure and productivity of the Swimming Australia High Performance Unit."

The performance role is deemed to be "a senior management role" that "encompasses leadership of Swimming Australia’s high performance swimming system, along with managing the operational facets of our high performance program, national swimming squads and teams". 

In statement the federation Down Under noted: "This non-coaching role has been designed to support our athlete and coach performances and results, through effective delivery of a strategic plan, developed in cooperation with our National Head Coach and our key partners.

 "Critical success factors in this role will be the efficient and effective use of the available resources, and cooperation with those who can enhance our programs success and transparency across the entire system for all stakeholders, most importantly our coaches and athletes."

A full job description can be found under the Employment section of the federation's website and via this agency.