The role of Director of Sport

We present an unrivalled opportunity for the advancement of sport at all levels, from our high-performance training centres, inclusive para and disability sport programmes, and recreational community offers - embedding a winning and successful sports mindset.

The successful postholder will take a central role in working with our key stakeholders to drive continued national and global success, inspired by the incomparable Loughborough spirit. By providing strategic and operational leadership for the University’s performance sport and operation of sport, Loughborough Sport is critically important to delivering the University’s Sporting Excellence and Opportunity core business objectives as defined by our institutional strategy.

You will engage directly with the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Sport and senior leadership team, and report to the Chief Operating Officer. As an experienced sport professional, your strategic leadership will deliver measurable success in supporting our worldclass ecosystem and partners, continued success in the British University Championships, student-athlete recruitment, driving new business and commercial opportunities, delivering on our professional Loughborough Lightning franchises.

With experience of leading performance sport and at least one of the following additional areas:  professional sport or Olympic Sport, university sport, interdisciplinary working, sports science, coaching, or commercial sport revenues. You will encourage and empower the individuals and teams you lead to think strategically, work creatively and collaboratively, and build a supportive, equitable and inclusive workplace culture.

A successful, proven track record in delivering results in the world of sport, and experience of supporting students is highly desirable, but candidates without prior higher education experience, who demonstrate knowledge and affinity for university sport and an awareness of the higher education environment, are encouraged to apply.

Job purpose

Lead the strategic development of Loughborough Sport, driving forward performance sport and its business and commercial operations.

Deliver a world-class service and environment for our strategic partners and optimise the environment for students to thrive in. Support the development and success of our Loughborough Lightning franchises.

Work with others, in particular the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Sport and Dean of the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, to optimise the benefits of sport to the wider University. 

Job duties

• Lead the strategy of Loughborough Sport to realise the University’s aspirations for sporting excellence and opportunity, working within the framework of the core plan for sport and the University strategy.
• Be responsible for the effective and safe operations of Loughborough Sport and its facilities including all performance, development, communications and commercial activity related to Loughborough Sport.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders and services to enhance commercial relationships, whilst being responsible for the technical aspects and delivery of these.
• Develop and deploy an outstanding and broad sporting offer for our students, staff, athletes and partners.
• Appropriately balance the priorities of sport performance, participation, environment, commercial and academic development.
• Collaborate with relevant academic schools to enhance the research and teaching opportunities within the Loughborough Sport ecosystem.
• Operate at a national and international level, working with partners to enhance the University's reputation and operations in sport.
• Champion equity, diversity and inclusion, and safeguarding and athlete wellbeing, within sport and the University.
• Create a positive culture in which sport and well-being thrive. Role model the positive behaviours expected of our students and athletes.
• Manage and deploy the Loughborough Sport budget, being accountable for the tangible outcomes.
• Manage and lead the colleagues of Loughborough Sport.
• Be a member of the University’s Leadership Group and Professional Services Leadership Team, providing broad leadership across the University to a range of initiatives – many of which will be beyond the immediate structural remit of the postholder. 

Points to note

• The purpose of this job description is to indicate the general level of duties and responsibility of the post. The detailed duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character or level of responsibility entailed.

Special conditions

All staff have a statutory responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves, others and the environment and to prevent harm by their acts or omissions. All staff are therefore required to adhere to the University’s Health, Safety and Environmental Policy & Procedures. 

All staff should hold a duty and commitment to observing the University’s commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and duties must be carried out in accordance with this.

Successful completion of probation will be dependent on attendance at the University’s mandatory courses which include Belonging and Inclusion, and, where appropriate, Recruitment and Selection.

Organisational responsibility

Reports to Chief Operating Officer with strategic accountabilities to the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Sport. 

Conditions of service

The position is FULL TIME and OPEN-ENDED. Salary will be on Management and Specialist grade 9 at a starting salary to be confirmed on offer of appointment.

The appointment will be subject to the University’s normal Terms and Conditions of Employment for Academic and Related staff/Operational and Administrative staff.

The University is committed to enabling staff to maintain a healthy work-home balance and has a number of family-friendly policies.

The University offers a wide range of employee benefits.

We also offer an on-campus nursery with subsidised places, subsidised places at local holiday clubs and a childcare voucher scheme (further details about childcare are available on the HR website).

In addition, the University is supportive, wherever possible, of flexible working arrangements. 

We also strive to create a culture that supports equality and celebrates diversity throughout the campus. The University holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award which recognises the importance of support for women at all stages of their academic career.