At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to shape the future of sport and physical activity in the UK.
- Company: Join a government service committed to public health and community strength.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time role, and opportunities for impactful work.
- Other info: Exciting career growth with a focus on regional presence beyond London.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in society through sport and promote inclusivity.
- Qualifications: Experience in leadership and policy development within the sports sector.
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Deputy Director, Sport
Company: Government Recruitment Service Salary: £86,000 - £86,000 Hours: Full-time Location: London Job type: Permanent Posting date: 18 Aug 2026 Closing date: 7 Sept 2026
Summary
As Deputy Director of Sport within DCMS you will lead a team an exceptional team navigating a fast-moving, high-profile brief that drives the Government’s
vision for sport and physical activity across the UK. We sit at the intersection of public health, economic growth, and national pride, using the unique power of sport to transform lives, strengthen communities, and project the UK’s soft power on the global stage.
The critical SCS1 role works with the sector, four Arm's Length Bodies and across government on:
- Participation Strategy: Formulating the long-term strategic blueprint to get more people active, specifically addressing stubborn demographic inequalities in physical activity.
- Sector Growth & Integrity: Partnering with the commercial and grassroots sport sector to accelerate the growth of women's sport, drive inward investment, and promote world-class governance.
- Elite Sport Delivery: Working alongside UK Sport to maintain our proud standing as a top-five Olympic and Paralympic superpower.
- Societal Value: Leveraging sporting investments to achieve cross-government objectives, from enhancing local community cohesion to projecting international soft power.
As Deputy Director, you will lead a high-performing, multi-disciplinary team of around 30 professionals dedicated to delivering high-impact policy across the high-profile sport sectors. This vibrant team brings together subject matter experts, specialist analysts, and policy professionals who thrive in a fast-paced, politically sensitive environment.
Leading through two team leaders you will set strategic direction on priorities ranging from improving the health of the nation through increasing levels of physical activity to maintaining a high performance sport system that retains the UK’s position as a global leader. You will hold oversight and sponsorship of three key delivery partners: UK Sport, Sport England, and the Sports Ground Safety Authority, working closely with them to ensure robust governance and alignment.
While we operate as a cohesive national unit, our geographic footprint is strategically evolving. Our Manchester hub is a key growth area, currently hosting approximately 30% of the wider directorate alongside our London hub (60%) and regional offices (10%). We are highly motivated to grow our senior leadership presence outside of London and actively encourage applications from candidates who wish to be based in our Manchester hub.
About Disability Confident
Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.
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