Head of Student Sport Campus Services 105790 Grade 9

Position Details

Campus Services

Location: University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range 58225 to 67468 with potential progression once in post to 87974

Grade: 9

Full Time Permanent

Closing date: 7th December 2025

UK travel may be required for this role.

Background

The UoB Sport & Fitness department is part of the Campus Services Division within the University.

Sport has always played a key role at University of Birmingham; it is in our DNA. The University was a founder member of what is now known as BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) in 1919 and since rankings began in 1953 we have consistently placed in the top 8 for student competition. We offered the first sport-based degree in 1946 and sport continues to be an important part of campus life today.

The sport offer we deliver at Birmingham is broad. Through our facilities programmes and expertise we engage with students staff alumni and the local community. Our offering caters for first experience of sport to Olympic & Paralympic athlete level.

We are a service orientated department with financial targets focussed on ensuring all our user groups have a great experience and that we are adding value to the wider University objectives.

Role Summary

As Head of Student Sport you will lead on the strategic development and direction of all aspects of our student competitive sport offer specifically Performance Athletic Union and our coaching provision and to input into the overall strategy of UoBSport. You will lead the student sport aspects of the strategy and be accountable for delivery and successful implementation. You will be expected to exercise a substantial degree of independent professional responsibility and discretion requiring innovation and creativity to succeed. You will ensure that the Departments objectives link with thewider University and overall objectives of UB Sport e.g. increasing performance participation and meeting income targets.

Main Duties

• Work with senior members of Colleges and Professional Services to lead and shape the strategic direction of student sport aligned to the University and UoBSports overarching goals. This will require you to use your expert judgement to make key decisions and translate the strategy into business/budget priorities implementation plans and KPI targets.
• Develop networks and good working relationships with key internal departments for mutual strategic benefit. Key University Departments include DARO the International Office Admissions academic schools & departments External Relations on any strategic-business opportunities which may be relevant to UoBSport/UoBs strategic priorities.
• Horizon scan to identify key external bodies to work with that would be relevant in the contribution and achievement of UoBSport objectives either through funding opportunities or strategic partnership work these could include but not exhaustive to Sport England NGBs TASS and International Federations.
• Actively manage and lead the operational and tactical aspects of the Performance Athletic Union and Coaching functions being accountable that they are delivered to budget and of a high-quality standard in accordance with appropriate representative bodies and University health and safety requirements.
• Be the strategic lead in developing educational opportunities for students to learn through practical experience across UoBSport.
• Lead on providing reports and presentations relating to Student Sport for use with wider University stakeholders including to members of UEB.
• Chair meetings providing expertise and facilitating different opinions to reach consensus.
• To deputise for the Director of Sport as required.
• Proactively seekappropriate income generation/funding opportunities to support in Sport delivery such as Sport England grants internal university funding alumni giving sponsorship opportunities etc.
• Actively engage and lead on wider Campus Services initiatives such as ELG and the Divisions People Plan.
• Develop and implement a culture (including policies and procedures) that promotes Equality and values diversity and inclusion.
• Support the Universitys sustainability agenda through resource efficient working.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Required Knowledge Skills Qualifications Experience

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent level qualifications) or extensive experience of working in a complex organisation plus substantial relevant managerialexperience.

• Ability to exercise a substantial degree of independent professionalresponsibility and discretion.

• Substantial experience of Performance sport and coaching.

• Substantial experience of leading and managing staff possibly through intermediate managers and acting as the expert authority in the area.

• Excellent literacy and numeracy with the ability to write for different audiences and for different purposes and to produce and analyse complex information and data.

• Substantial experience and in-depth knowledge of Student Sport within a Higher Education environment.

• Excellent interpersonal communication and negotiation skills.

• Proven experience of solving complex problems.

• Operational planning management and business process skills.

• Experience of using substantial expertise to influence a range of stakeholders and senior management.

• Ability to develop and implement an organisational strategy.

• Proven record of developing innovative and practical solutions to deliver a strategy.

• Experience of resource and financial management.

• Excellent general IT skills with a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

• Actively promotes equality and diversity to internal and external stakeholders.

• Able to use data to identify equality and diversity issues.

• Experience of developing interventions to address equality and diversity issues.

Role context

Roles at this level will be senior professionals with high-level expertise exercising within their functional area/section a substantial degree of independent professional responsibility and discretion including the development and implementation of policies and processes. You will either lead a functional area or be a senior individual expert may have a deputising role for the most senior manager of the are expected to resolve problems where there is a lack of precedent requiring innovation and creativity to develop appropriate options. You will be responsible for setting quality and professional standards and managing service delivery against this or for providing professional expertise. Your work is likely to have a medium to long term horizon and you will typically work with a variety of people from several will also be able to make a major contribution to the longer-term strategic planning for your area in line with the wider University strategy.

Core competencies/transferable skills

Working at this level you will be able to develop and successfully demonstrate the core competencies/transferable skills outlined in each of the areas shown will be expected to take ownership for getting things done including calling on others to join you in collaborative working groups as will need to be flexible in supporting your department and wider University.

Planning and organising

• lead and manage a functional area taking responsibility for staff and resources tackling planning and operations over the medium to long term;
• shape strategic direction for own area and make significant contributions to departmental strategic planning;
• set quality and professional standards for others;
• take accountability for the quality and delivery of a service or for the provision of expert professional advice;
• take the initiative and manage large-scale changes;
• make decisions and judgements on conflicting data/information;
• as appropriate research and develop drafts of papers taking account of the final audience socialising ideas and seeking input and producing final drafts;
• leadand manage projects which are complex and significant in terms of time and financial resources.

Problem solving and decision making

• evaluate service provision and implement innovative solutions to improve quality efficiency and continuity;
• ensure effective resolution of all issues in own area often requiring complex problem solving through others;
• identify trends which could have an impact on the area and identify and implement approaches to these trends;
• deal effectively and sensitively with significant and substantial people management issues such as major change programmes and lead staff through change whilst maintaining motivation.

Organisational understanding

• quickly develop an in-depth understanding of their own area and an excellent understanding of the contribution other areas make to success of the University;
• quickly develop an excellent understanding of how the University and academia operate in the UK (and beyond as appropriate);
• demonstrate empathy with the academic endeavour and encourages others to do so.

Relationships and communication

• interact effectively at senior levels within the University;
• network with fellow professionals in the wider community to stay up to date;
• promote own/departments work at internal and external opportunities;
• inspire and motivate others (often large teams) through multiple intermediary managers;
• provide expert input for internal/external meetings influencing and facilitating different opinions to reach consensus;
• consult with service users/others to establish service requirements standards and priorities for change

DBS required

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Informal enquiries to Andy Allford email:

View our staff values and behaviours here

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyoneon our website.