At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and deliver innovative testing programmes to ensure clean sport.
- Company: Join UK Anti-Doping, a leader in promoting fair play.
- Benefits: Hybrid work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on collaboration and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the world of sports and uphold integrity.
- Qualifications: Experience in planning, relationship management, and data analysis.
The predicted salary is between 29413 - 29413 £ per year.
Salary: £29,413.13
Location: Hybrid (WFH / SportPark, Loughborough)
Type of contract: Full-time (36 hours per week), Permanent
Closing Date: 23:59pm on 30 September 2026
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) is on a mission to protect clean sport and currently has an exciting opportunity available for you to join us. We’re looking to recruit a Testing Officer, joining the Operations Directorate to play an active role in the efficient running of the UKAD testing programme.
About Us
Our purpose: To ensure doping-free sport, promoting and protecting clean sport through education, testing and enforcement.
Our values:
- Integrity – We do what is right for clean sport, we are equitable and ethical, ensuring everyone is treated fairly and with respect.
- Collaboration – We work together and with others, sharing knowledge and building relationships to better tackle doping.
- Excellence – We strive to achieve high standards in the protection of clean sport, evolving with the times and finding solutions.
- Passion – We are dedicated to keeping sport clean, are proud of what we do and know it matters.
Job Purpose
You will plan, deliver and monitor a risk-based, intelligence-led testing programme for Athletes in line with International Standards and the Operations Directorate Operational Plan. Specifically, you will be responsible for:
- Providing significant contribution to the development of UKAD’s Test Distribution Plan (TDP) ensuring a detection and deterrence programme is in place.
- Gathering and using data and information from a variety of sources to plan, deliver and monitor testing programmes against the TDP.
- Operational decision-making on allocated projects of the Testing team.
Key result areas include:
- Risk-based, Intelligence-led Test Planning
- Independently and effectively plan, deliver and monitor the allocated testing programmes against the overall annual TDP and in accordance with the International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI), providing regular updates to the Deputy Head of Testing.
- Lead and collaborate on the development and implementation of testing strategies within the TDP.
- Utilise In-Competition and Out-of-Competition tests to collect Urine, Blood and/or Blood Passport Samples.
- Continually review and improve the allocated testing programmes to ensure unpredictability and effective deterrence and detection strategies.
- Lead and/or support the planning and project management of testing programmes for major events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and World Cups.
- Ensure compliance with WADA’s Technical Document for Sport Specific Analysis (TDSSA) and that minimal levels of analysis across sport-disciplines are met.
TDP Development
- Support the strategic planning of the TDP each year ensuring that the testing programme is in accordance with the ISTI and in line with the targets defined in the Operational Directorate Operational Plan.
- Contribute towards strategy setting meetings for the TDP planning process.
- Lead on the development of testing proposals and strategies for the annual TDP, with the aim of continually developing an unpredictable testing programme which deters and detects doping.
Data Management
- Effectively collate, manage and analyse a large volume of intelligence, information and data within different formats (e.g. databases, excel, web-based systems) to help make informed decisions on the effective use of UKAD’s testing resources.
- Use and further develop UKAD's data analytics platforms to inform and continuously improve the testing programme.
- Proactively monitor and gather information relating to Athletes/Teams and/or Sports e.g., performances.
- Proactively and reactively review and assess multiple intelligence, information and data sources, including those relating to performances, injuries, sporting calendars, funding lists, etc., ensuring it is incorporated into decision‑making for test plans.
Relationship Management
- Develop effective working relationships with the Testing team to coordinate urine and blood testing missions cost‑effectively across the UK and abroad.
- Proactively support and engage with other teams e.g., Science and Medicine, Intelligence and Investigations, Results Management, to ensure the successful planning and delivery of a risk‑based and intelligence‑led TDP.
- Build positive working relationships with DCP, undertaking briefings and de‑briefs as necessary, to ensure relevant information is provided to DCP and fed back into test plans.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with NGBs, to gather information to support the planning and delivery of the testing programmes and effectively communicate changes in policy affecting them and their Athletes.
Whereabouts
- Determine and manage the National Registered Testing Pool (NRTP) and Domestic Testing Pool (DTP) for the allocated programmes to facilitate effective Out-of-Competition testing, ensuring regular reviews are conducted.
- Work with the Whereabouts Officer to carry out whereabouts inductions, conduct qualitative reviews of whereabouts information and monitor compliance.
- Work with the whereabouts officer and NGBs to ensure team sport whereabouts are provided in a timely manner to facilitate OOC testing.
Policy and Procedures
- Adhere to agreed policies and procedures for the effective operations of the Testing team.
- Participate in and where appropriate, lead on the review and development of specified UKAD business procedures and processes.
- Highlight areas for review and improvement and contribute towards the development of the current testing processes and procedures as part of the Quality Management System. Ensure non‑conformances to procedures are resolved in a timely and appropriate manner.
Person specification
Qualifications/experience/knowledge
- Demonstrable experience of planning and organising type roles.
- Minimum of 1 year experience in an anti-doping, or comparably sensitive environment.
- Demonstrable experience of relationship management to effect change and enhance programmes.
- Demonstratable experience of managing multiple sources of information and data.
- Understanding of anti-doping rules and policies.
- Interest in and knowledge of sport, and how it functions in the UK.
- Competent user of Microsoft Excel and must possess a high level of numeracy.
- Experience in the use and maintenance of IT systems and the management of database system.
Skills
- Ability to make independent decisions and collaborate as a team.
- High level planning skills with the ability to work to multiple tight deadlines within a time pressured environment, producing high quality results.
- Ability to successfully develop and manage positive working relationships with a network of internal and external stakeholders in an anti-doping, or similarly challenging environment.
- An effective communicator (written and verbal) with the ability to use high level negotiating and influencing skills.
- Ability to balance and prioritise a demanding workload, remaining calm under pressure.
- Ability to develop innovative solutions and use initiative.
- Good attention to detail, high level analytical and problem-solving skills including the ability to calculate risk and take decisive action.
- Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.
Testing Officer in Loughborough employer: UK Anti-Doping
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) is an exceptional employer dedicated to promoting clean sport through integrity, collaboration, and excellence. Located in the vibrant SportPark, Loughborough, we offer a hybrid working model that supports work-life balance, alongside opportunities for professional growth and development within a passionate team committed to making a difference in the sporting world.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Testing Officer in Loughborough
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We think you need these skills to ace Testing Officer in Loughborough
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 UK Anti-Doping 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 UK Anti-Doping
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with UK Anti-Doping, 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.
