Director of Sport

The University of Glasgow; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days of annual leave

Pension

Free 6-month UofG Sport membership

Flexible working

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Job summary

The University of Glasgow seeks a Director of Sport to shape the strategy and delivery of UofG Sport within Student & Academic Services. You will lead partnerships with governing bodies, clubs and community partners to expand access, participation and performance pathways while enhancing the student experience.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Student and Academic Services, you will drive governance, financial stewardship, and cultural change across UofG Sport, working closely with GUSA to

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in sport, active wellbeing, leisure, higher education or related sector.
• Proven track record of developing strategic vision and leading organisational change.
• Experience in building high-performing, values-led teams and partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead University Sport delivery plan aligned with priorities and student experience goals.
• Provide strategic leadership, drive service transformation and measurable outcomes.
• Act as senior adviser on sport and external partnerships.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with national and local sporting organisations and authorities.
• Represent the University externally on sport-related matters.
• Drive growth and integration of recreational, competitive and performance sport.
• Lead governance, financial stewardship and continuous service improvement.
• Collaborate with GUSA and student representatives on governance and strategy.
• Oversee facilities planning and development of sport services.
• Ensure health, safety, safeguarding and equality standards.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Relationship building

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Financial planning

Organisational change

Communication

Analytical skills

Policy and governance

Education

Scottish Credit & Qualification Framework level 9/10/11

Leadership development

Knowledge of sport development and operations

UK sporting landscape knowledge

Understanding wellbeing and student success

Partnership governance expertise

Higher Education sector knowledge

Job description

The University of Glasgow is seeking an outstanding strategic leader to join Student & Academic Services as their Director of Sport. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to shape the sport and physical activity offering at our institution, enhancing the overall student experience.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Student and Academic Services, you will provide leadership and direction for UofG Sport, developing and delivering a long-term vision that supports the University's ambitions for student experience, community engagement and active wellbeing. Working closely with the Glasgow University Sports Association (GUSA), you will lead the development of strategic partnerships with sporting organisations, governing bodies, local authorities, community groups and commercial partners, securing opportunities and resources that strengthen the University's sport provision. Acting as the senior representative for UofG Sport, you will build UofG's profile and influence across the wider sporting sector, securing opportunities and resources that expand access, participation, performance pathways, and student outcomes.

We are looking for an accomplished senior leader with significant experience within sport, active wellbeing, leisure, higher education or a related sector. You will have a proven track record of developing strategic vision, leading organisational change and building high-performing, values-led teams. Equally important will be your ability to cultivate strong partnerships, influence stakeholders at all levels and identify opportunities for sustainable growth and impact.

Join us and play a leading role in creating an active, inclusive and thriving university community.

Job Purpose

Provide strategic leadership and direction for UofG Sport, ensuring the delivery of a safe, inclusive, financially sustainable and high-quality sport and physical activity offer that enhances the student experience and contributes to the University's strategic ambitions for wellbeing, belonging, student success and community engagement.

The postholder will lead the development of a sustainable long-term model for sport at the University through the cultivation of strategic partnerships with facility partners, governing bodies, clubs, community organisations and commercial partners. They will act as the University's senior representative for sport, securing opportunities and resources that expand access, participation, performance pathways and student outcomes.

The Director will provide visible leadership across UofG Sport, driving cultural development, operational excellence, innovation and partnership working whilst ensuring effective governance, financial stewardship and continuous service improvement.

In delivering this role, the Director will need to work closely with the Glasgow University Sports Association (GUSA) and its student representatives.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead the development and delivery of the University Sport delivery plan, ensuring alignment with University and GUSA priorities and contributing to student experience, wellbeing, inclusion, engagement and student success.
2. Provide strategic leadership for UofG Sport, defining a clear vision, driving innovation and service transformation, and ensuring the effective delivery of strategic objectives and measurable outcomes.
3. Act as the University's lead adviser on sport and physical activity, contributing as a senior leader within Student and Academic Services and providing expert advice on sport, active lifestyles and external partnerships.
4. Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with national, regional and local sporting organisations, governing bodies, local authorities, leisure trusts, community organisations and facility partners to enhance opportunities for students and support institutional priorities.
5. Represent the University externally on sport-related matters, acting as the senior institutional contact with key sector bodies, strategic partners and stakeholders.
6. Drive the growth and integration of recreational, competitive and performance sport, ensuring provision meets the diverse needs and aspirations of the student community.
7. Develop and sustain a strong strategic partnership with GUSA and student representatives, supporting effective governance, shared priorities and positive student outcomes.
8. Lead the strategic planning and development of sports facilities and services, identifying future needs and opportunities to enhance the University's sporting infrastructure and provision.
9. Ensure effective financial stewardship of UofG Sport, including budget management, resource allocation, income generation and the delivery of financially sustainable services and activities.
10. Provide visible and inspirational leadership to staff, fostering a culture of inclusion, accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and professional development.
11. Ensure effective governance, risk management and regulatory compliance, maintaining high standards of health and safety, safeguarding, equality, performance monitoring and organisational assurance.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge / Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9,10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification) or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge, skills and strategic leadership capability gained through substantial professional experience within the sport or related sectors.

A2 Evidence of significant continuing professional and leadership development.

A3 Comprehensive knowledge of sport development, sports operations and strategic organisational leadership.

A4 Extensive knowledge of the UK sporting landscape, including governing bodies, funding structures and partnership frameworks.

A5 Understanding of the role of sport in supporting student wellbeing, belonging, retention and student success.

A6 Knowledge of complex partnership governance, commercial arrangements and stakeholder management.

Desirable:

B1 Knowledge of the Higher Education sector and student sport environment.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Exceptional strategic leadership skills with the ability to create and communicate a compelling vision.

C2 Outstanding relationship-building, influencing and partnership-development skills.

C3 Strong negotiation skills with experience of securing complex partnership agreements and collaborative arrangements.

C4 Excellent stakeholder management skills, capable of operating effectively with senior institutional leaders and external partners.

C5 Strong commercial awareness and ability to identify sustainable growth opportunities.

C6 Excellent financial planning, budget management and resource allocation skills.

C7 Ability to lead organisational change and cultural development.

C8 Excellent communication, presentation and advocacy skills.

C9 Strong analytical skills, using evidence and insight to inform strategic decisions.

C10 Ability to operate effectively within complex organisational and political environments.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Significant senior leadership experience within sport, active wellbeing, leisure, physical activity, higher education, or a related sector, with accountability for strategic planning, service delivery, people leadership and organisational performance.

E2 Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering a strategic vision that has enhanced participation, engagement, performance, customer experience, or organisational outcomes.

E3 Experience of leading multidisciplinary teams and creating a high-performance, inclusive and values-led culture.

E4 Proven track record of managing substantial operational budgets, resources and facilities, with responsibility for financial sustainability and continuous improvement.

E5 Experience of building productive partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including governing bodies, community organisations, commercial partners and senior institutional leaders.

E6 Experience of leading organisational change, service transformation or strategic growth within a complex environment.

Desirable

F1 Experience of capital development projects, facility planning or major infrastructure partnerships.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 9, £61,165 - £68,817 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended (permanent).

All applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK or be eligible to obtain permission to work in the UK.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route, subject to meeting the relevant Home Office requirements, including any applicable tradeable points criteria. Further information can be found on the University of Glasgow’s UKVI Website.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

• 1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
• 2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension, benefits and discount packages.
• 3 A flexible approach to working.
• 4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.