Performance Sport Lead

Lead the strategic development and delivery of the University's Performance Sport Programme, driving student-athlete success, enhancing BUCS performance, and raising the institution's profile within the higher education and sporting sectors. Working with professional sports clubs, National Governing Bodies, and key partners, you will champion the University's performance sport offer, attract talented student athletes, and create opportunities for growth and investment.

You will oversee all aspects of the performance sport function, including coaching staff, student internships and volunteer programmes, performance planning, and programme evaluation. Accountable for BUCS results and league table performance, you will implement innovative strategies that enhance athlete development, support club success, and deliver measurable outcomes.

The role also provides leadership in student-athlete welfare, governance, risk management, and UK Anti-Doping compliance, while building effective partnerships across the University and representing the institution at sector events, conferences, and recruitment activities to showcase excellence in sport.

Principal Accountabilities:

Represent the University and advocate for the performance programme with professional sports clubs, National Governing Bodies and strategic sport partners to grow awareness, lobby for investment and seek opportunities.

Develop and collaborate with internal and external partners at a senior level to promote the benefits and successes of the performance programme to drive recruitment of student athletes and sports scholars.

Oversee the operations of the University's Performance Sport function, including the recruitment, management of contractor sport coaches, incorporating annual target setting and overseeing delivery against those targets.

Manage the recruitment of the applied student workforce volunteers and Internships, design and oversee the workforce plan against agreed targets and ensure appropriate interventions where required and annual evaluation.

Co-ordinate the development, delivery, and rigorous evaluation of the Performance Sport Programme, against agreed KPIs to measurably improve BUCS performance.

Have accountability for the institution's league table position and performance in BUCS.

Identify and co-ordinate the development of comprehensive growth plans focused on enhancing athletic performance across all sports, supporting both individual athlete development and club-level success.

Co-ordinate the relationship with Colleges and Professional Services across the University, focusing on collaborative opportunities that align with institutional success measures, and developing an effective applied workforce through internships and practitioners.

Represent the department and help showcase Performance and Participation activities by attending events including open days, welcome weeks, staff induction events, and moving-in weekend.

Conduct audits and reviews which regularly review compliance and risk assessments for all performance sport activities, facilities, and travel, implementing necessary mitigation strategies.

Act as the first point of triage for student-athlete welfare and disciplinary issues, ensuring adherence to the University's duty of care and policies, and build effective working relationships with relevant professional service leads.

Act as the UKAD lead contact, holding institutional accountability for adherence to the UKAD regulations, ensuring all athletes and staff are fully compliant with anti-doping regulations and complete mandatory education.

Represent the University at external sector forums (e.g., BUCS conferences, NGB meetings) to share best practice, advocate for the University and its interests, gather intelligence, and enhance the University's profile.

Person Specification — Essential:

Degree qualification in relevant subject area.

Experience managing high-performance or elite sport programme within a complex organisation, ideally in the UK Higher Education sector or a similar environment.

Proven success in designing, implementing, and evaluating plans that resulted in measurable improvements in sporting performance (e.g., BUCS position) and athlete recruitment.

Experience in managing the recruitment, induction, and holistic lifestyle support for student-athletes or scholars.

Experience in procuring goods and services and ensuring value for money through sector and industry benchmarking.

Demonstrable success in managing staff, coaches, and practitioners, and in developing and sustaining high-level partnerships with external bodies (e.g., NGBs, professional clubs, commercial partners).

Practical experience in overseeing and mitigating risk for large-scale sports activities, including the management of UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) compliance and student welfare/safeguarding protocols.

Ability to advocate for the department, the performance programme and the University on a national level.

Ability to build business cases and justification for investment and growth against competing priorities.

Ability to build effective relationships with decision makers and peers.

Knowledge of the structure, competition rules, and regulations of BUCS and its strategic role within UK university sport.

Knowledge of the UK Sport integrity environment, including UKAD regulations, current safeguarding legislation, and the management of student welfare/duty of care within a high-performance setting.

Working knowledge of the role and deployment of multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs) and the principles of performance lifestyle management to support the dual-career athlete.

Understanding of university committee structures and the process for submitting high-level papers and reports to advocate for resources and policy approval.

Proven ability to motivate teams and influence senior internal and external stakeholders to align resources and support the programme's strategic goals.

Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and relationship-brokering skills required for building effective partnerships with NGBs, commercial partners, faculty, and student representatives.

Ability to travel to meetings and events outside of the University in a time and cost-effective manner.

Flexible approach to working hours, including evening and weekend working including attending Open Days, Clearing, Welcome weekend and Graduation.

Person Specification — Desirable:

A recognised qualification in athlete personal development or lifestyle support (e.g., TASS Practitioner Certification, UKAD Educator Status).

Current or past NGB Coaching Qualification or a qualification in a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) discipline (e.g., S&C, Physiotherapy).

Experience in leading a programme through external quality assurance or governance audits (e.g., NGB performance reviews or University internal reviews).

An understanding of the working practices of university sports and the roles of the Student Union.

A strong existing network of contacts within relevant National Governing Bodies and professional sporting organisations, facilitating immediate talent pathway development.

Benefits:

Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata). Local Government Pension Scheme. Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme. Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers. Discounted onsite gym. Cycle to Work scheme. A flexible working environment. A commitment to personal and professional development.