Head of Sussex Sport

Head of Sussex Sport £46,735 to £55,755 + University Pension Scheme + 38 days holiday (which includes Bank Holidays and Minimum Service Days)

The University of Sussex are looking to appoint an ambitious and forward-thinking Head of Sussex Sport to drive the future of both sport and wellbeing on campus. You will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering an inclusive, engaging, innovative and commercially successful sport offer that is aligned with the University’s strategy to focus on student participation, wellbeing and community belonging. There are circa 4,800 students based on campus and a further 10,000 living in and around the city along with over 2,000 staff. The sports facilities are also open to the public and provide a great opportunity for the successful candidate to increase turnover and to facilitate the ability to reinvest and upgrade the facilities for the benefit of all.

Reporting to the Head of Commercial Services, you will be responsible for a wide range of sporting and leisure facilities across 2 sites on Campus. There is a new 212 station gym about to open, a well-equipped strength and conditioning gym, 2 large multi-purpose sports halls, pop-up studios, a large studio, 6 tennis courts, 2 floodlit 3G pitches and 1 floodlit 4G pitch with multiple high-quality grass football, cricket and American football pitches and a netball court.

You would also be managing a partnership with a league football club, and multiple providers of schools, sports and coaching camp providers who contract bookings throughout the year.

You will be supported by a Deputy Head of Sport, five senior and duty managers and a large team of full and part-time recreation assistants, front of house and sports coaches. You will work closely with the Student Union and Facilities and Grounds Maintenance team.

Key responsibilities include:

• Review the current ways of working, promotion and programming of all the leisure facilities to better meet student demand.
• Lead, train and coach your team to deliver the sports programme in a positive and supportive environment.
• Optimise wellness initiatives inside and outside of the leisure facilities, including the extensive grounds/halls of residences.
• Collaborate with NGB’s and multiple stakeholders on promoting participation and wellness, focusing on those groups who are not currently engaging in leisure.
• Develop programmes that support student wellbeing, particularly through stress-reducing and social sports activities.
• Ensure that leisure and the sporting facilities are showcased and promoted at Freshers, Applicant Visitors Days, and University Open Days
• Optimise all forms of communication, marketing and promotional routes to enhance awareness and improve engagement
• Meet and exceed annual leisure memberships and targets for pitch bookings/external hire.
• Manage, build and develop the commercial partnerships in place to increase usage and participation and drive revenue.
• Consider commercial opportunities that contribute positively to the overall campus and wellbeing experience.
• To ensure that the highest standards of health & safety and safeguarding are built into all programming.
• Budgetary accountability, working closely with the Finance team and Head of Commercial Services
• Support the delivery of the BUCS sporting program.

To be considered for this role, candidates will require:

• 10 Years + Senior Management Experience in Leisure, working within the Private, Leisure Management or Higher Education sectors.
• Demonstrable ability to write and present compelling business/project cases.
• A patient and strategic awareness to deliver a health and wellbeing vision through multiple stakeholders.
• Proven experience in driving multiple revenue streams across a complex leisure operation
• Experience managing grass and artificial pitches would be beneficial.

The maximum starting salary will be offered at a mid-point of the Grade 8 salary band, which is £51,039 per annum. This will facilitate three annual increments to reach the top of the salary band, which is £55,755. Benefits includes enrolment onto the University Superannuation Scheme which has an employer contribution of 14.5% and an employee contribution of 6.1%, 38 days holiday per annum, including bank holidays and minimum service days with the potential to purchase a further two weeks, a car benefit scheme, health cash plan, life assurance x3, an employee assistance programme, free eye tests and, after 12 months service, the opportunity to join the volunteering programme for 2 days..

The search is being managed on our behalf by David Peacock, Recruitment Director at Leisure People. To apply, please forward your CV to For an initial discussion, David can be contacted on 07974 313421.

Closing date – Friday 8th August. The final stage interview is scheduled for Tuesday 12th August and will include a tour of the sports facilities on campus and a panel interview.