We are the UK’s trusted high-performance experts, powering our greatest athletes, teams, sports and events to achieve positive success. Investing a combination of National Lottery and Government funds, we support our Olympic and Paralympic sports to realise their world‑leading potential and help bring major sporting events to the UK. Our purpose is to lead high-performance sport to enable extraordinary moments that enrich lives.
We are on a mission – to create the greatest decade of extraordinary sporting moments; reaching, inspiring and uniting the nation. That mission is underpinned by three ambitions for UK high-performance sport; to keep winning and win well, to grow a thriving sporting system and to harness those to inspire positive change. Working with the sports and events we fund, DCMS, and our partner organisations across the UK high‑performance system, we are building on 25 years of ever‑growing success to write the UK’s next chapter for Olympic and Paralympic sport.
We’re looking for a Major Events Advisor to play a central role in shaping the UK's programme of major events.
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of UK Sport's major events programme, leading the implementation of our strategy, Making Live Sport Matter, through the management of event investments, strategic partnerships and technical support to event hosts across the UK.
You will help shape, fund and oversee a portfolio of major sporting events hosted across the UK, working with event partners to assess feasibility, analyse business plans and budgets, support governance, and provide technical support throughout the event lifecycle.
Working across multiple events at different stages of the event lifecycle, you will collaborate with national governing bodies, host cities, home countries and event organisers to help secure and deliver world‑class events. You will build trusted relationships with partners, support funding application processes, monitor risk, and provide assurance that events deliver against agreed sporting, operational and social impact objectives.
The role combines strategic thinking, relationship management and project leadership, offering the opportunity to influence the future of major sporting events in the UK while delivering meaningful impact for athletes, sports and communities.
What you’ll be doing
- Supporting the development and management of the UK's long‑term major events hosting ambitions and priorities.
- Leading relationships with event hosting partners, guiding and assessing funding applications and business plans.
- Providing expert advice and technical support to help deliver innovative, world‑leading sporting events.
- Representing UK Sport on event boards and governance groups, providing assurance on investment and delivery.
- Building strong partnerships across sport, government, host cities and the wider events sector.
- Supporting major event bids and contribute to successful hosting campaigns.
- Monitoring risks and performance across a portfolio of events, ensuring investments deliver maximum impact.
- Contributing to projects that strengthen the UK's major events system, including social impact, sustainability, inclusion, innovation and knowledge sharing initiatives.
About you
We’re looking for someone who combines strategic insight with excellent partnership‑building skills and a genuine passion for sport and major events.
You’ll bring:
- Significant experience of major international sporting events, with the ability to translate delivery knowledge into strategic advice, governance and assurance.
- A strong understanding of the sporting landscape and key stakeholders within the sector.
- Experience leading high‑profile, complex projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
- The ability to assess risks, make informed decisions and influence outcomes.
- Strong financial awareness and confidence working with budgets and investment proposals.
- Confidence analysing major event business plans, budgets, risk information and delivery milestones, and translating complex information into assessments and recommendations for the UK Sport funding decision making process.
- Excellent communication skills, including report writing, analysis, presentations, and senior stakeholder engagement.
- Outstanding relationship‑building and collaboration skills.
- Expertise in one or more relevant areas of major event planning or delivery, such as governance, operations, commercial, marketing, social impact or inclusion.
Why join us?
This is an opportunity to help shape the future of major sporting events in the UK. You’ll work alongside passionate colleagues and influential partners, supporting events that inspire audiences, strengthen communities and leave a lasting legacy.
If you thrive in a dynamic environment, enjoy building partnerships, and want to make a meaningful contribution to sport at a national level, we’d love to hear from you.
Major Events Advisor employer: UK Sport
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