Athletics Director

The Professionals; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports organization in Riyadh is seeking a Technical Director to manage a specific technical pillar within their athletics program. This role requires a minimum of 9 years of experience in a sports organization with a focus on operations, budget management, and ensuring safety protocols. The ideal candidate will drive innovation and effectively collaborate with team members to enhance performance. This opportunity is suited for someone with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and advanced technical certification.

Qualifications

• Minimum 9+ years of experience managing a specialized technical function within a sports organization.

Responsibilities

• Direct the day-to-day operations and performance of the assigned technical pillar.
• Develop and manage the budget and resource allocation for the functional area.
• Oversee implementation of specific projects and manage vendor relationships.
• Ensure adherence to athlete safety protocols and ethical standards.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Strategic planning

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management

Relevant advanced technical certification

Job description

Role Purpose

To direct and manage a specific technical pillar within the athletics program (e.g., Biomechanics, Talent ID, or Coaching Education), ensuring functional goals are met, resources are optimized, and all activities are aligned with the core methodology.

Key Activities

• Direct the day-to-day operations, staffing, and performance of the assigned technical pillar (e.g., Biomechanics Unit).
• Develop and manage the detailed budget and resource allocation for the entire functional area.
• Oversee the implementation of all specific projects within the pillar, such as specialized athlete assessments or scouting drives.
• Govern the quality assurance framework for all data collection, analysis, and application within the functional area.
• Manage all vendor relationships for technical equipment or service contracts relevant to the pillar.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the pillar’s specialists and the coaching and support staff to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Prepare and present regular functional performance reports, highlighting key outcomes, KPIs, and identified risks.
• Direct the training, development, and upskilling of all specialists and analysts within the functional team.
• Ensure all athlete safety protocols and ethical standards are strictly adhered to within the functional environment.
• Contribute deep technical expertise from the pillar to the overall strategic planning process for the athletics department.
• Drive innovation and the adoption of new technologies and methodologies within the assigned pillar.
• Approve all procurement requests and expenditures for the functional area within the delegated authority.
• Develop and maintain all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the pillar’s activities.
• Report on the health, performance, and risk status of all technical assets and services within the function.
• Foster a collaborative and data-driven culture within the pillar’s team.

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum 9+ years of experience managing a specialized technical function within a sports organization.

Education and Certification Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management, Coaching Science, or a related field. Relevant advanced technical certification is required.

Core Competencies

• ACTION ORIENTED: Drives timely action, identifies new opportunities, and pushes team to take action on challenges.
• Drives Results: Leads others to persist and achieve goals despite setbacks.
• Collaborates: Encourages open communication and teamwork among coworkers and partners.
• Communicates Effectively: Adjusts communication style to the audience and promotes candid dialogue.
• MANAGES AMBIGUITY: Facilitates collaboration and decision-making in uncertain situations.
• Strategic Mindset: Clarifies vision and strategy, prioritizes efforts to support them, and creates sustainable value.
• Plans & Aligns: Addresses risks, balances plans with changing conditions, and aligns team priorities.
• Builds Effective Teams: Coaches team building, communicates clear goals, and rewards accomplishments.