Athlete Recruitment Officer

British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS); City Of London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK-based educational institution in London is seeking an Athlete Recruitment Officer to lead recruitment into their High Performance Sport Programme. The successful candidate will develop and implement strategies to attract elite student athletes, ensuring their smooth transition into academic and sporting life. Responsibilities include fostering relationships with sports organizations and supporting recruitment initiatives. This full-time role requires a proactive approach to athlete engagement and strategy execution.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing recruitment strategies for elite athletes.
• Ability to engage and build relationships with various stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of high performance sports environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment of student athletes into the High Performance Sport Programme.
• Implement recruitment strategies focusing on basketball, football, and volleyball.
• Maintain relationships with schools and sports organizations to enhance recruitment.

Skills

Sports recruitment

Relationship building

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Marketing awareness

Education

Experience in sports management or related field

Job description

Closing date: 21 November 2025
Location: Docklands, London
Region: London
Employment type: Full Time
Salary: £35,453 to £38,827

Description

The University of East London (UEL) is one of the most diverse and vibrant universities in the capital.

Our pioneering and forward-thinking vision is making a positive and significant impact to the communities we serve, inspiring both our staff and students to reach their full potential.

Born in 1898 to serve the skills needs of the 2nd industrial revolution, the University of East London has commenced Year 7 of its transformational 10-year Vision 2028 strategic plan to advance Industry 4.0 careers-1st education.

We have a clear route-map to provide a springboard for the jobs and opportunities of the future; drive diversity in the 4.0 talent pipeline - working in partnership to promote talent wherever it is found; and to create an inclusive and sustainable, green future.

We have identified sport as a key vehicle and transformational tool to make positive changes to the lives of individuals and communities.

The University of East London is a TASS Dual Career Accredited site that prides itself on the flexible support that it offers to the student athletes at the university.

Taking an athlete centred approach in everything that we do makes sure the wellbeing and success of the individual is put first.

This enables us to create professionals in and out of a sporting context.

The performance programme supports International and National level athletes to achieve success whist at UEL.

Job Purpose

The Athlete Recruitment Officer will be responsible for leading on the recruitment of student athletes into the High Performance Sport Programme. This means they will take a proactive role in identifying, engaging and attracting talented athletes to UEL, acting as the main point of contact for prospective athletes throughout the recruitment and onboarding process.

The role will work as part of a multidisciplinary team, including high performance coaches and the marketing team, to ensure that recruitment activity aligns with programme needs and that new athletes are supported in their transition into both academic and sporting life at UEL. University of East London are building an environment of success where colleagues are supported to achieve, and our community can flourish and thrive.

We are an accredited Investors in People Award Institution and have achieved the Investors in People Health and Wellbeing Award. With Athena Swan Awards and being one of a small number of Universities to have achieved the Race Equality Charter Award, we continue our journey to address and reduce barriers to opportunity.

This role will play an integral part in supporting the growth and success of UEL’s High Performance Sport Programme by developing and delivering a recruitment strategy that attracts elite level athletes to study and compete at UEL.

The role focuses specifically on implementing processes and building relationships that identify, engage, and secure talented athletes both from the UK and overseas.

• To create, plan and implement recruitment strategies for high performance sports at UEL, with a specific focus on basketball (including wheelchair basketball), football and volleyball alongside the High Performance Sport Manager.
• To support the identification of key NGB’s and sporting organisations to attract international & professional level athletes in Olympic sports.
• To work alongside high performance coaches and the marketing team to raise awareness of the UEL scholarship programme.
• To support recruitment visits hosted at UEL aimed at key recruitment targets once identified in the recruitment process.
• To build and maintain effective relationships with schools, colleges, clubs, professional bodies and international partners to enhance recruitment pathways.
• To design and deliver pre-arrival processes that assess the physical and mental readiness of prospective athletes to ensure quality and suitability for the programme.
• To provide tailored support in attracting and onboarding athletes to UEL, ensuring a smooth transition and integration into university life.
• To contribute to the continued development of the athlete centred high performance sport programme by aligning recruitment activity with long-term programme goals.
• To support promotional activity and events that enhance UEL’s reputation as a destination for elite student athletes.
• To provide day to day administrative and operational support relating to athlete recruitment within the high performance programme.
• To undertake additional duties appropriate with the grade of the position as may be required by the High Performance Sport Manager.

Take a flexible approach to work, where attendance during early mornings, evenings, weekends and work at both University campus and external locations may be required.