The director of coaching position is a new role and continues the re-shuffle of St Kilda’s administration under new chief executive officer Matt Finnis.

Last week the Saints promoted list manager Ameet Bains to the position of chief operating officer, and in June broke new ground by appointing Peta Searle as development coach, making her the first woman appointed to an AFL club’s coaching panel.

Beveridge’s CV includes a 45-game stint at St Kilda between 1996 and 1999, having previously played at Melbourne and Footscray. The Beveridge family has a long involvement with the Saints, with Luke’s father, John, being involved in the recruiting department for more than three decades.

Beveridge has been at the Hawks since 2012, having previously guided amateur club St Bede’s College in Mentone to consecutive premierships in C, B and A grade. He had been touted as a potential successor to Paul Roos at Melbourne.

''I’m really excited about the prospect of coming to St Kilda and working with the players and the coaches as the club builds towards future success,'' he told St Kilda's website.

Beveridge will continue to serve as Hawthorn's back linecoach as the club strives to win back-to-back premierships. He will begin his role at St Kilda in time for next season.

"Luke's previous experience at prominent AFL clubs along with his success as a coach in the VAFA makes him an ideal addition to our football staff,'' said St Kilda's director of coaching, Chris Pelchen, who was also poached from the Hawks, crossing to the Saints in 2011.

''The ongoing development of the coaching structure is a key focus of the St Kilda football department and the role of director of coaching is an integral part of this program.''

Hawthorn said it was disappointed to be losing Beveridge.

''Luke’s been a fantastic contributor to our coaching team over the past three years,'' said football operations manager Chris Fagan.

"He’s developed great relationships with the playing group and has established a back line that’s well respected. Despite having offered Luke a contract to remain at the club beyond 2014, we understand his aspirations to step into a more senior role and this position at St Kilda allows him to do so.

''Luke is an integral part of our 2014 campaign; he has a job to do with our back line and will see it out until the end of the season.''