Job Description

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Sport Development Officer (Athletics)
Department
Student Services
Location
Multiple Campuses
Salary
35,331 to 39,002 per annum
Permanent
Post Type
Full Time
Release Date
12 January 2026
Closing Date
23.59 hours GMT on Sunday 01 February 2026
Reference
S126002
BCU Sport are seeking to recruit a Sport Development Officer (Athletics) to lead and manage their performance sport provision. The role would suit an individual with extensive experience of managing performance provision within an education or high performance setting.
The role will contribute to the development and delivery of the Excel strand of the BCU Sport and Active 2030 Strategy. It will provide performance to all high-performing student athletes on the scholarship programme. The postholder will be responsible for coordinating and managing the planning, promotion, and delivery of the performance programme, including strength and conditioning, nutrition, psychology, sport therapy, lifestyle, and sports science. The role will also lead on the recruitment of high-performing student athletes, and overseeing the day to day management of the TASS athletes and delivery staff.
Role Responsibilities:

• Lead the sport scholar performance programme ensuring scholars are supported from both an academic and performance perspective.
• Lead & oversee the relevant coaches and practitioners on a daily basis to ensure all activities are carried out to a high standard in strength and conditioning, nutrition, psychology, sport therapy, lifestyle and sports science.
• Manage the student volunteer programme working with the appropriate sport academic lecturers to offer volunteering opportunities in sport therapy, nutrition, strength and conditioning and sport science.
• Lead the TASS delivery including the recruitment, management and coordination of the multidisciplinary team of practitioners.
• Ensure all delivery is aligned to best working practice with regards to health and safety, GDPR and safeguarding.
• Manage the sport coaches for the performance sport teams. Liaising with them on the programmes performance needs and facilitating these.
• Oversee and manage the ongoing recruitment of high performing student athletes into BCU to study.
• Liaise with national governing bodies, regional and local partners and providers to maximise any appropriate opportunities for partnership working, growth and development.
• Manage the entry and attendance of the sports scholars to their respective BUCS competitions
• Provide support to the scholars when required around any academic processes or requirement such as extenuating circumstances submissions or exam clashes.
• Ensure that all activities are safe by working within the University Health and Safety guidelines.
• Maximise the exposure of BCU Sport via a range of social media and communication methods.
• Provide termly statistical information to the Director of Sport and Physical Activity.

Role Requirements:

• A degree or equivalent/relevant qualifications in a sport related discipline.
• Experience of managing a high-performance programme within a higher education setting.
• Experience of working with and supporting high performing student athletes in a university environment
• Experience and understanding of the needs and requirements of performance support for elite athletes in the associated areas.
• Experience of leading a TASS programme and supporting the delivery of the TASS programme within a HE environment
• Experience of recruiting and managing performance support staff in the various associated disciplines
• A degree in sport related discipline
• A valid UK driving license.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to an environment that supports lawful free speech and academic freedom. We will continuously review and improve our policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that we are promoting these in all aspects of our operations. We believe that by working together, combining our many different backgrounds and life experiences, we will empower each other to reach our full potential.
The appointed candidate will normally be employed through our subsidiary company BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University. Appointees with prior LGPS membership who wish to enter the LGPS scheme will be able to do so and will be employed by Birmingham City University directly.

Skills Required