Professor and Director of the Institute for Sport Business

LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious academic institution in London is seeking a Director for its Institute for Sport Business. The successful candidate will lead impactful research, manage a dedicated team, and ensure excellent student experiences. Key qualifications include a PhD, proven research expertise, and strong leadership skills. This role offers a competitive salary and generous annual leave, with options for dynamic working arrangements. Applications close on December 3, 2025, with interviews scheduled for January 16, 2026.

Benefits

Generous annual leave up to 44 days

Financial relocation support

Competitive pension schemes

Childcare support initiatives

Developmental support for academic community

Qualifications

• Track record of impactful research and funding attraction.
• Demonstrable excellence in sport business discipline.
• Outstanding people skills and commitment to student experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow the Institute with impactful research.
• Manage a team with a caring and collegiate culture.
• Provide high-quality experiences informed by industry partnerships.

Skills

Research expertise

Partnership and grant funding attraction

Leadership skills

People management

Education

PhD in Sports Business or related field

Job description

About Us

The Institute for Sport Business at Loughborough University London is looking to recruit a Director with a passion and vision for managing a thriving Institute. We are committed to redefining the sport business landscape through world-class research and innovation that has real-world impact in an era of significant economic, social, and technological change. Our research strategy is built on three interlocking pillars that shape the future of sport as an industry, a social institution and an innovation platform across multiple sport business domains. The Institute has specific interests spanning fan engagement and experience, digital technologies and analytics, women's sport, sporting integrity, geopolitics and sustainability in sport.

The Institute for Sport Business also combines an internationally recognised team of academics with research expertise and teaching excellence in the business of sport. Our Sport Business master's degrees incorporate teaching from a broad range of experts in the sport business industry, to empower students with the knowledge and abilities needed to operate across the commercial, not-for-profit and public sport business sectors.

Loughborough University is ranked Number 1 in the world for sport related subjects ( QS World University Rankings by Subject ) and our research and teaching is done in collaboration with an extensive network of the prominent sport industry leaders and sector leading organisations.

The role and what we're looking for

As the successful candidate:

• You will be part of strengthening and growing an Institute with an established identity and ambitious plans to continue impactful research pursuits, alongside providing high quality student experiences informed by industry collaborations.
• You will have a track record of research expertise, attracting partnerships and grant funding.
• You will also have good people skills, take a caring approach to managing staff, and be enthusiastic about providing an excellent student experience.
• You will have an internationally recognised profile and esteem within sport business communities and have a demonstrable and ongoing record of excellence which has contributed to the furtherance of knowledge in a relevant discipline.
• You will have a successful track record of impactful research, attracting funding, innovation and supervision.
• You will also demonstrate evidence of significant academic leadership and the ability to manage a team, underpinned by a caring and collegiate culture.

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for further details about the nature of the role and to view the full essential criteria before applying.

Why should you apply?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join us at Loughborough University London. The Institute for Sport Business provides a unique opportunity to lead a team of internationally recognised faculty of academics with research and teaching expertise in the business of sport. We offer postgraduate and executive‑level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities in collaboration with partners from an array of sports organisations in London and internationally.

• Generous annual leave allowance up to 44 days for full‑time staff (inclusive of Bank Holidays & University closure days), with the option to purchase more
• Commitment to enabling employees to work dynamically with a combination of working on campus and remotely (where possible)
• Financial relocation support for those relocating from outside a 20‑mile radius
• Competitive pension schemes
• A range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and childcare support initiatives, including childcare vouchers.
• Dedicated developmental support for the academic community, including bespoke workshops, mentoring and networking support opportunities.

For more information on the role please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.

For more specific details about Loughborough University London and our strategy, please refer to the Candidate Pack.

Informal enquiries about the role should be made to:

• Professor Tony Edwards, Loughborough University London.

Applications and Assessment

The latest closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday 3rd December 2025.

Applications for the role will be reviewed against the essential and desirable criteria listed in the job description and person specification (linked above). Applicants should clearly state how they meet each of the essential (and desirable) criteria in their application, giving examples from their career history. For further support with your application, please refer to our application guidance, which includes some top tips and support to help you when completing your application.

Interviews will be held on the London Campus on Friday 16 January 2026. Candidates are expected to attend in person on this date.

Candidates invited for interview will also be invited to attend the campus on Thursday 15 January 2026 to meet the team and learn more about the research activities of the Institute for Sport Business, however attendance at the research day is not a requirement and does not form part of the decision making process for the position.

Reasonable Adjustments

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that you may need during the recruitment process. If there are adjustments that you'd like to request please contact Professor Tony Edwards, Loughborough University London, .