At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape SPORTFIVE's Technical Services for exciting sports operations.
- Company: Join a top-rated global sports marketing agency with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, health cover, flexible hours, and social events.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the sports industry while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in technical operations and team leadership required.
The predicted salary is between 61816 - 75552 £ per year.
SPORTFIVE is a global agency working across sponsorships, advertising, talent, activation and hospitality within sports. We have over 1,200 employees who strategically and creatively connect brands, rights-holders, media platforms and fans across various sports.
We are looking for a Technical Services & Operations Director to join our Rightsholder Management & Services team in Altrincham. This is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and leading SPORTFIVE’s Technical Services function, ensuring we have the people, processes, systems and supplier relationships in place to support continued growth across our UK LED Services activity.
Reporting to the VP, Rightsholder Management, you will lead a growing operational infrastructure that supports our work across clubs, federations and competitions. This includes technical operations, warehousing, asset management, outsourced service providers, resource planning, operational systems and business improvement initiatives.
You’ll be expected to balance strategic leadership with a practical, hands-on understanding of live sports operations, helping us improve service quality, operational efficiency and long-term client delivery.
This role would suit an experienced technical operations leader who can build scalable structures, lead teams and suppliers, improve ways of working and provide confident oversight across a broad and evolving technical services function.
AS OUR TECHNICAL SERVICES & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR YOU WILL...
- Lead the strategic direction, performance and development of SPORTFIVE’s Technical Services function, creating the operating model, governance and standards needed to deliver exceptional service to clients and partners.
- Define and deliver the long-term technical services strategy for SPORTFIVE’s UK Rightsholder Services business.
- Lead technical operations across LED servicing, managed services, technical project delivery, maintenance and support activity.
- Develop scalable operating models, KPIs, service standards and governance to support future growth and consistent delivery.
- Oversee SPORTFIVE’s technical asset portfolio, including warehousing, inventory management, maintenance planning and asset lifecycle strategies.
- Manage strategic supplier and outsourced service partner relationships, including performance reviews, service levels, commercial controls and escalations.
- Improve resource planning across Technical Services and Production Services, including workforce deployment, contractor usage, rotas, travel, logistics and operational systems.
- Work closely with Production Services and wider teams to identify opportunities to share resources, improve processes and create a more joined-up operational delivery framework.
- Oversee technical support programmes for clubs and partners, including planned maintenance, system audits, inspections and reactive on-site support.
- Provide senior oversight for major technical projects, installations and infrastructure upgrades, ensuring work is delivered safely, on time and within budget.
- Lead, develop and mentor technical and operational teams, shaping future structures, roles, skills and development pathways.
- Maintain strong governance across health and safety, RAMS, standard operating procedures, resilience planning, risk management and incident review processes.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERTISE
- Significant senior leadership experience within technical operations, service delivery, venue technology, live events, broadcast, sports technology or a related industry.
- Experience leading large-scale operational service functions, ideally across multi-site or live delivery environments.
- Proven ability to lead teams, suppliers, contractors and outsourced service providers, with confidence managing performance and service standards.
- Strong understanding of technical assets, warehousing, inventory management, maintenance planning and operational governance.
- Commercially minded, with experience of budget management, supplier governance, contract performance and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
- Experience creating scalable structures, systems, processes and performance frameworks that support business growth.
- Excellent project, programme and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to balance detail, pace and commercial priorities.
- Confident communicator and decision-maker, able to present clearly, influence positively and act as a senior escalation point when needed.
- Strategic thinker with a pragmatic, hands-on approach and a strong focus on service excellence, continuous improvement and client delivery.
- Naturally collaborative, calm under pressure and comfortable driving change across functional boundaries.
- High levels of integrity, professionalism and accountability, with flexibility to travel and work in line with the needs of a live sports operation.
WHAT YOU’LL GET FROM US...
- 25 days annual leave, bank holidays and a gifted day over the Christmas period.
- Full Vitality health cover including dental, optical, hearing care and mental health support.
- 1 day working from home after an on-boarding period.
- Core hours of 10am-4pm with flexi start and finish times.
- Enhanced family leave entitlements.
- A day off for moving house.
- A day off for getting married.
- Free on-site car parking.
- Regular social events such as summer and Christmas parties.
- Life assurance at x4 annual salary.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
SPORTFIVE are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We believe that different perspectives and experiences are the key to success. Our goal is to create an authentic and attractive work environment where everyone feels valued, with a sense of belonging, and encouraged to shape the future of the sports industry.
Technical Operations Director in Altrincham employer: Sportfive
Sportfive is renowned for its vibrant culture and commitment to employee well-being, making it an attractive employer in the sports marketing sector. The company provides numerous opportunities for professional development and encourages creativity among its staff. Being recognized as a top workplace further underscores its dedication to fostering a supportive and engaging work environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Operations Director in Altrincham
✨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 Sportfive. 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 Sportfive. 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 Technical Operations Director in Altrincham
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 Sportfive 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 Sportfive
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Sportfive, 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.
