Chief Executive Officer, Sported

Guardian Jobs; Harrow; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Sported, London-based with hybrid working arrangements, is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead the charity’s next growth phase. The role reports to the Board of Trustees and focuses on strengthening financial sustainability, partnerships and national influence within sport-for-development.

The successful candidate will drive strategy execution, build high-performing teams and serve as a principal ambassador to funders and stakeholders, with regular presence in the London office.

Qualifications

• Ambitious, values-led leader with credibility and strategic capability.
• Experience securing income, developing partnerships and sustainable funding streams.
• Proven ability to lead complex organisations, business units or functions with governance and stakeholder oversight.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of Sported's strategy and long-term vision.
• Strengthen income generation and long-term sustainability.
• Develop high-performing teams, culture and organisational capability.
• Act as Sported's principal ambassador with key stakeholders, funders and partners.
• Increase the organisation's profile, reach and influence nationally.
• Ensure strong governance, operational performance and impact delivery.

Skills

Strategy leadership

Income generation

Stakeholder engagement

People development

Governance

Commercial acumen

Board relationships

Change management

Job description

Sported – Chief Executive Officer

Salary: £90,000 - £100,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

Based: London (hybrid working arrangements). Regular presence in the London office is expected to support team leadership, collaboration and stakeholder engagement, alongside attendance at Board and key external meetings.

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

The Organisation

Sported is one of the UK's leading sport-for-development charities, supporting more than 5,000 community groups across the UK to use sport and physical activity as a catalyst for positive social change. Through a combination of volunteer expertise, grants, learning and strategic partnerships, Sported helps grassroots organisations become stronger, more sustainable and more impactful.

Having undergone significant growth and transformation in recent years, Sported is entering an exciting new chapter. With a clear strategy, strong foundations and a respected national profile, the organisation is well positioned to increase its reach, influence and impact across communities throughout the UK.

The Role

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive Officer will lead Sported through its next phase of growth and development. This is an opportunity to build on a strong platform, strengthening financial sustainability, deepening partnerships and increasing the organisation's influence across the sport and social impact sectors.

• Leading the delivery of Sported's strategy and long-term vision.


• Strengthening income generation and long-term sustainability.


• Developing high-performing teams, culture and organisational capability.


• Acting as Sported's principal ambassador with key stakeholders, funders and partners.


• Increasing the organisation's profile, reach and influence nationally.


• Ensuring strong governance, operational performance and impact delivery

This is a rare opportunity to lead a highly respected national charity and help shape the future of grassroots sport and community development across the UK.

The Candidate

We are seeking an ambitious, values-led leader with the credibility, strategic capability and commercial acumen to guide Sported through its next chapter. Outstanding candidates may come from a variety of sectors and backgrounds.

You will bring

• A successful track record of leading a complex organisation, business unit or function with responsibility for strategy, performance and delivery.


• Experience of organisational growth, transformation or performance improvement.


• A demonstrable ability to secure income, develop partnerships and build sustainable funding streams.


• Strong commercial and financial acumen, balancing mission, impact and sustainability.


• Experience of working with Boards and building effective senior stakeholder relationships.


• A track record of leading and developing high-performing teams through change and growth.


• Excellent communication and ambassadorial skills, with the ability to represent Sported at the highest levels.


• A genuine commitment to Sported's mission and the role sport can play in creating stronger communities.

Previous Chief Executive experience would be welcomed, though it is not essential. Above all, candidates will bring a genuine passion for sport for development and a strong belief in the role sport and physical activity can play in tackling inequality, creating opportunity and strengthening communities.

Closing date for applications (CV and covering letter): 9am Thursday 17th September