At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop the sports card grading category with a focus on quality and accuracy.
- Company: Join Ace Grading, the UK's fastest-growing grading company with big ambitions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team driving innovation in the sports card market.
- Why this job: Shape the future of sports card grading and make a real impact in the collector community.
- Qualifications: Deep knowledge of sports cards and experience in grading or authentication.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Banbury (on-site)
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Head of Sports - Ace Grading is expanding its sports card category and we’re looking for a specialist to take ownership of the department as it scales. This is a senior category role for someone with deep sports card knowledge, strong authentication instincts, and the operational discipline to help build the most trusted sports grading product in the UK.
You’ll own the Sports category across grading consistency, authentication support, card/database accuracy, quality control, and category growth. You’ll work closely with our grading, operations, product, and marketing teams to make sure Ace’s sports output is accurate, consistent, commercially relevant, and trusted by collectors.
- Lead Ace’s sports card category standards across grading, authentication, and database quality
- Support graders with sport-specific knowledge, references, edge cases, and card identification
- Improve sports card databasing: player names, sets, years, parallels, variants, teams, and metadata
- Build internal reference materials and training processes for sports cards
- Review sports submissions for accuracy, consistency, and category-specific risks
- Help shape quality control processes for sports cards as volume grows
- Advise on sports product positioning, collector expectations, and market trends
- Support sports-focused marketing, content, launches, and education
- Identify opportunities for Ace to grow credibility and market share in sports cards
Strong knowledge of sports cards, ideally across football, basketball, baseball, F1, UFC, and other major categories. Excellent understanding of sets, parallels, rookies, inserts, autographs, patches, numbering, and common authentication risks. Comfortable working with databases, spreadsheets, checklists, and reference systems. Commercial awareness of the sports card market and what collectors actually care about. Experience in grading, authentication, card retail, breaking, auctions, or sports card content. Knowledge of authentication issues, counterfeit risks, reprints, altered cards, and questionable releases. Existing network or credibility within the sports card community.
Ace is the UK’s fastest-growing grading company, with a strong brand, modern product, and serious ambition across both TCG and sports cards. Sports is a major growth area for us. This role is about helping shape that category properly from the inside - setting the standard, improving trust, and building something collectors respect.
Sports Scholarship Football in Banbury employer: Ace Grading
Contact Detail:
Ace Grading Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sports Scholarship Football in Banbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the sports card community. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to industry professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, share your knowledge about sports cards. Discuss trends, authentication issues, and what collectors are buzzing about. This will show them you’re not just passionate but also well-informed.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! Research Ace Grading and understand their values and goals. When you apply through our website, make sure to highlight how your skills align with their mission to build trust in the sports grading market. Personalisation goes a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can set you apart from other candidates. Use this opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and mention something specific from your conversation that excites you about working with Ace Grading.
We think you need these skills to ace Sports Scholarship Football in Banbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Sports Cards: When writing your application, let your love for sports cards shine through! Share specific experiences or knowledge that highlight your expertise in grading and authentication. We want to see your enthusiasm for the category!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the job description. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with our needs at Ace Grading. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the role.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ace Grading
✨Know Your Cards Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of sports cards, especially in football, basketball, and other major categories. Be prepared to discuss specific sets, parallels, and authentication risks. This will show that you’re not just a fan but a true expert who can contribute to Ace Grading's growth.
✨Showcase Your Operational Skills
Since this role involves a lot of operational discipline, be ready to talk about your experience with databases, spreadsheets, and quality control processes. Share examples of how you've improved accuracy and consistency in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your ability to handle the responsibilities of the position.
✨Connect with the Community
Having an existing network within the sports card community can set you apart. Mention any connections or collaborations you've had in the past. This shows that you’re not only knowledgeable but also respected in the field, which is crucial for building trust with collectors.
✨Stay Ahead of Market Trends
Be prepared to discuss current trends in the sports card market and what collectors are looking for. Show that you have a commercial awareness of the industry and can advise on product positioning. This will highlight your strategic thinking and ability to contribute to Ace’s growth.