At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate football programmes at a top sporting university.
- Company: Loughborough Sport, a leader in elite performance and student experience.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, competitive pay, health perks, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Join a vibrant community with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of football and make a lasting impact in the sport.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in football, strategic thinking, and FA Level 3 coaching qualification.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Application Closing Date: Sunday, 16 August 2026
Loughborough Sport is home to a globally unique ecosystem, where elite performance, cutting-edge research and an exceptional student experience combine to create lasting impact across the sporting landscape. From Olympic success to professional pathways, our football programme plays a central role in our ambition to lead the game nationally and internationally.
We are seeking an outstanding Director of Football to provide visionary leadership across all football and futsal activity. This is a rare opportunity to define and deliver a bold strategic direction, influence the wider football system and position Loughborough as a flagship environment for performance, development and innovation.
What you'll do:
- Set and deliver a long-term football strategy that drives excellence across performance, participation and pathways.
- Lead and inspire a high-performing, multidisciplinary team to deliver elite programmes and outstanding student-athlete experiences.
- Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with The FA, BUCS, professional clubs and key stakeholders across the football landscape.
- Oversee talent identification, recruitment and progression pathways into professional football and wider industry careers.
- Champion innovation, data and insight to enhance performance and inform decision-making.
- Act as a senior ambassador for Loughborough Sport, representing the University at national and international level.
What we're looking for:
- A proven senior leader with significant experience in football or high-performance sport environments.
- A strategic thinker with a strong track record of delivering long-term impact and organisational change.
- Exceptional leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to operate across complex stakeholder environments.
- Deep understanding of football performance pathways, talent development and the wider football system.
- A passion for developing people, driving innovation and promoting wellbeing and inclusive practice.
- FA Level 3 (UEFA B) coaching qualification (or equivalent).
Join us and play a pivotal role in shaping the next chapter of football at Loughborough, where excellence is the standard, collaboration drives success, and your impact will be felt across the game.
For more information on the role please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification. Please see the Candidate Pack for the role.
Closing date for receipt of applications: 16th August 2026
First stage interviews: 27th August 2026
Second stage interviews: 7th, 9th and 11th September 2026
Our Benefits
At Loughborough, our benefits are designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community. Examples of our benefits include:
- Time off - generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme.
- Where you work - access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
- Financial wellbeing - competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities.
- Support for you and those close to you - through our range of life event leave policies as well as access to an on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options.
- Health and wellbeing - discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support.
- Travel and sustainability - access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting.
Discover more about the full range of rewards and benefits at Loughborough University.
Director of Football, Loughborough in Quorndon employer: Loughborough University
Loughborough University is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the field of advanced battery technologies. With a strong commitment to employee growth, this PhD studentship provides not only comprehensive funding but also extensive training opportunities, making it an ideal environment for aspiring researchers to thrive and contribute to meaningful advancements in climate-resilient energy solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Football, Loughborough in Quorndon
✨Get Involved in Local Sports Communities
Dive into your local sports scene! Attend community games, coaching sessions, and meet-ups. Building relationships with coaches and team managers can help you uncover job opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Leverage Internships and Volunteering
Even though you’re after a full-time role, don’t underestimate internships or volunteering in sports organisations. These positions not only give you hands-on experience but can also lead to permanent openings. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to make your face known in the industry!
✨Visit Sports Job Fairs
Keep an eye out for sports job fairs and career expos specific to the recreation management field. These events are goldmines for meeting hiring managers from organisations like Loughborough University. Bring your A-game and be ready to chat about how you can contribute to their team!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to check out openings on our site! Our listings will often include positions at excellent organisations in sports recreation management, including Loughborough University. Applying directly through our platform increases your chances of getting noticed by recruiters. Let's get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Football, Loughborough in Quorndon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining Loughborough University aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Loughborough University
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Loughborough University, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration
In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.
