At a Glance
- Tasks: Build relationships with riders, owners, and grooms while ensuring their needs are met.
- Company: Join the Premier Jumping League, redefining showjumping with elite competition and innovation.
- Benefits: Dynamic work environment, travel opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of equestrian sport.
- Other info: Exciting role with opportunities for growth in a fast-paced, relationship-driven environment.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of a global sport, connecting with top talent and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and established relationships in the equestrian community are essential.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
The PJL is a global showjumping competition redefining the sport through elite team competition, record-breaking prize money, and a sustainable professional model for riders. Backed by McCourt Global and its Executive Chairman Frank McCourt, and shaped by leaders from equestrian sport, international competition, and entertainment, the PJL brings together the world’s top riders and horses to compete across fourteen iconic venues in Europe, North America, and the Middle East. With sixteen teams, an innovative rider selection process and a guaranteed $300 million prize pot, the PJL combines world-class athletic performance with premium entertainment, opening the sport to new global audiences while honouring its heritage.
Our Mission
Our mission is to elevate jumping to its rightful place as a premier global sport - championing riders and horses with a merit-based, financially sustainable league that celebrates elite athletic performance, unlocks new opportunities, and brings fans closer to the power, precision, and beauty of jumping.
We are committed to raising standards, advancing welfare, innovating through technology, and honouring the heritage of the sport while creating an accessible, world-class experience for a new generation of global fans.
About the Role:
The Talent Manager role is the PJL's day-to-day relationship lead for the people who make the sport: riders, horse owners, team owners, grooms and support personnel.
The role spans two distinct phases. Through the pre-launch period the emphasis is on building relationships across the sport and securing rider and owner buy-in. From the 2027 launch onwards the emphasis shifts to providing best-in-class care for those stakeholders across the season; and to building a full-service in-house concierge function.
This is a relationship-led role with a high volume of direct contact.
Key Responsibilities will include:
Rider, owner and groom relationships
- Act as the PJL's first point of contact for riders, horse owners, team owners and grooms, responding to queries and making sure they are properly looked after.
- Build rider and owner buy-in ahead of Series launch, including attending existing events to present the PJL.
- Maintain accurate stakeholder records, contact detail and engagement history across the rider and owner base.
- Work closely with third party concierge service provider.
Logistics and travel
- Work with the external concierge provider to ensure riders, owners, horses, grooms and officials have everything they need to travel to, stay at and compete at PJL events — including transport, customs, accommodation and on-site care.
- Co-ordinate with venues and operating partners on stakeholder requirements ahead of each event.
Events
- Act as a PJL point person on site during competition, supporting riders, owners and grooms across the event weekend.
- Contribute to post-event summaries, and feed stakeholder experience back into the next event.
Market insight and advocacy
- Represent the PJL at industry events and gatherings, building relationships across the sport.
- Gather market sentiment and qualitative feedback, and report it back internally on a regular basis.
- Advise the wider team on best practice in stakeholder care and equestrian standards.
Skills and Experience:
Required
- Established relationships within the equestrian community, and the credibility to build more.
- Experience in a stakeholder-facing role, preferably within sport or a comparable relationship-led environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, and sound judgement on what to handle and what to elevate.
- Strong organisational skills, and the ability to manage a high volume of queries across multiple time zones.
- Willingness to travel, including across event weekends.
- Experience of equestrian travel, transport and customs requirements.
- Experience of building a function from a standing start.
Premier Jumping League is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetics, disability, age, familial, caregiver or veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable law.
Talent Manager, Sporting Operations employer: the PJL
The Premier Jumping League is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London that champions innovation and collaboration. With a commitment to employee growth, the company provides opportunities for professional development while fostering a culture of inclusivity and high performance. As part of a pioneering organisation in the equestrian sport sector, employees can expect to be at the forefront of redefining the industry, supported by a strong leadership team and a focus on sustainable practices.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Talent Manager, Sporting Operations
✨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 the PJL. 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 the PJL. 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 Talent Manager, Sporting Operations
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 the PJL 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 the PJL
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with the PJL, 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.
