At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead relationships with National Governing Bodies to enhance organisational health and success.
- Company: Join UK Sport, the trusted experts in high-performance sport.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and a flexible working environment.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace culture with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of UK sports and inspire extraordinary moments.
- Qualifications: Experience in international sporting relations and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
Location: Field based, with regular travel across the UK and occasional international travel.
Contract Type: Permanent, full time; secondments will also be considered.
Closing Date: 31st August 2026
Interview Dates: Stage 1 assessment centre: Tuesday 8 September. Stage 2 interviews: 17 September.
Who are UK Sport?
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.
About the role
Sport Advisors are central to how UK Sport works with funded partners to deliver its mission and strategic ambitions. In this role, you will lead UK Sport’s organisational health relationship with a portfolio of around five funded National Governing Bodies, helping them to be well-run, resilient and successful organisations through trusted relationships, high-quality advice, proportionate assurance and practical support.
You will work directly with CEOs, Chairs, Board members and wider corporate and performance leadership to understand each partner’s priorities, risks and support needs on the road to LA2028, French Alps 2030 and Brisbane 2032. This may include attending Board and senior leadership meetings, relevant committees, international federation events, congresses, and selected camps or competitions where this helps build insight and strengthen UK Sport’s partnership with each sport.
For this appointment, we are particularly interested in someone who can bring experience and understanding of the international sporting landscape. Alongside managing your own portfolio, you will support colleagues and sports to understand international relations priorities, connect to the right advice and contribute expertise on areas such as international federation activity, electoral campaigns, congress attendance and major event bids.
Who will I be working with?
You’ll work closely with colleagues across UK Sport at all levels, as well as external partners and stakeholders, building trusted relationships that support effective decision making across the organisation. This role supports our hybrid working approach, with regular office attendance required in line with team and organisational expectations.
About you
You will be proactive, curious and collaborative, with the confidence and judgement to build trust with senior leaders while being clear and constructive about difficult issues. You will be comfortable working in complex environments, using insight, data and professional judgement to understand what matters most and translate that into practical advice, support and action.
You will bring a strong understanding of organisational health in sport, including areas such as governance, finance, EDI, leadership, culture, risk and sustainability. You will also have demonstrable experience in international sporting relations, or practical frontline experience in international roles with clear parallels to the international sporting system.
What you’ll bring
- Experience working with senior leaders to understand, assure and improve how an organisation works.
- The ability to review progress in a clear, fair and proportionate way, using experience, conversations and data to inform sound judgement.
- Demonstrable experience in international sporting relations, or relevant international experience with clear parallels to sport.
- A good understanding of the British Olympic and Paralympic sporting system and how national sports organisations operate.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, facilitation and influencing skills, with the ability to work independently, take ownership and follow through.
- A collaborative approach, with the communication skills and self-awareness to build trusted relationships with colleagues, partners and senior stakeholders.
- A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, learning and personal development.
- The ability to travel regularly within the UK and occasionally internationally.
It’s a bonus if you also have:
- Experience of organisational change programmes, particularly digital or data transformation.
- An understanding of sports marketing, commercial strategy or corporate partnerships.
- Experience of performance or pathway sport environments, for example as a staff member, practitioner, coach or athlete.
- Experience leading or supporting electoral campaigns, international federation activity or major event bids.
UK Sport also offer a competitive benefit package that includes:
- Defined contribution pension scheme.
- Employer pension contribution of 10%.
- 6 weeks Annual Leave (depending on contract).
- A flexible approach to working where possible.
- Interest free season ticket loans.
- Enhanced Maternity/Paternity/Parental Leave.
- Healthy Lifestyle allowance of up to £600 per year.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace culture where difference is embraced, and exceptional talents can flourish. We strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life, and we’re interested to hear from people that may require flexible working patterns or may want to work less than a full-time contract.
As we strive to ensure our workforce is more reflective of UK society, we particularly welcome applications from people with ethnically diverse backgrounds or with a disability or long term health condition as these groups are currently underrepresented at UK Sport.
We offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role if:
- They have a physical or mental impairment that has a “substantial” and “long-term” negative effect on their ability to do normal daily activities, or
- Who do not identify as White British/English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish.
To qualify, you need to demonstrate in your application that you meet the minimum criteria for the role and belong to one of the above groups. If you have a disability, please contact us to discuss any adjustments you may need at interview or in the role, if successful.
UK SPORT IS PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER. At UK Sport we are determined to lead by example, striving to be a role model organisation in all we do in equality, diversity and inclusion, from leadership to delivery.
Sport Advisor employer: UK Sport
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sport Advisor
✨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 UK Sport. 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 UK Sport. 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 Sport Advisor
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 Sport 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 Sport
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with UK Sport, 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.
