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RECRUITMENT BRIEF:
UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
DIRECTOR OF SPORT
June 2020
sportandfitness.bham.ac.uk
CONTENTS
1. Introduction to the Director of Sport Role
2. The University of Birmingham
3. The City of Birmingham and the Commonwealth Games
4. Introduction to Campus Services
5. Sport at the University of Birmingham
6. Director of Sport Role Outline and Personal Specification
7. How to Apply
INTRODUCTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF SPORT ROLE
The University is seeking a suitably experienced professional with a passion and deep
understanding of sport, fitness and wellbeing. It requires a blend of strategic and commercial
acumen, academic empathy, and strategic people leadership capability, to create an
environment in which the diverse team can thrive and excel. They will have the ability to
successfully balance commercial operations with a high quality student/ customer experience.
As one of the leading Russell Group universities for sport in the UK, the University of Birmingham has a
proud and pioneering sporting heritage. It was the first University to introduce a sport-related degree in
1946, was instrumental in the creation of the English Sports Council in 1965, and has an academic School of
Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences currently ranked 6 in the world for its research.
Birmingham was the first civic university, yet it also has a beautiful campus located in leafy green
Edgbaston, just 3 miles from the City Centre. In recent years the University has invested £65 million in new
sports facilities on campus, which has helped bring the 2022 Commonwealth Games to Birmingham.
Alongside the quality of its sports facilities, the University’s investment in high quality student residences,
a new 4-star Hotel & Conference Centre, and the planned £20m redevelopment of the University railway
station means the University is an increasingly popular destination for major sporting events. This is an
exciting part of the new Director’s portfolio, working in partnership with other Campus Services
colleagues and a range of external partners.
UoB Sport has a sector-leading team across a diverse range of disciplines including commercial club
management, facility operations, health & fitness, performance sport, event management and outdoor
education. It has an annual turnover approaching £8 million, 150 contracted staff, 11,000 Sport & Fitness
Club members and 20,000 students engaged in sport. It has a long history of community engagement,
including facility members, community clubs based at the University, over 1,000 children and 40 schools
on the swim programme, and hosts community events such as the Birmingham School Games.
UoB Sport also provides various support to academic teaching and research, in particular for the School
of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences. Our collaborative work in India and on the embryonic
Graduate School of Sport are two recent strategic projects.
This is a senior and high profile position within the University. It is an opportunity to lead sport at the
University of Birmingham into its next exciting phase, following the very significant recent investment in
its sporting estate, and the hosting of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The Director of Sport will play a
pivotal role in leading the next stage of strategic development for sport within the University and
representing its interests within the HE and sport sectors, nationally and internationally.
Established in 1900, the University of Birmingham
has a pioneering history including being the
country’s first civic University, the first Medical
School and the first faculty of commerce. The
University offered the first ever sport degree in 1946
and became the first University to open a secondary
school in 2015. In 2018, we also opened a new
campus in Dubai, the first Russell Group University
to do so.
Today, the University of Birmingham is ranked in the
top 100 globally and in the top 20 of all domestic
league tables. The quality of what we do at
Birmingham is widely recognised. The University’s
prolific research portfolio has produced 2 Prime
Ministers and eleven Nobel Prize winners, including
three in 2016 for Physics and Chemistry.
The University’s School of Sport, Exercise
and Rehabilitation Sciences is ranked 6 in
the world for its research.
THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
The University of Birmingham is the largest of 5 higher education institutions in Birmingham with 23,000
undergraduates, 12,500 post-graduates and 8,000 staff. Our heritage as the original ‘redbrick’ is combined
with one of the most compelling and ambitious agendas in Higher Education. Quite simply, at Birmingham
we make things happen. The University is a founding member of the Russell Group (UK) and Universitas 21
(global) groups of research-intensive universities, and its alumni population exceeds 300,000, spread far
and wide across the globe.
The University’s campus spans over 250 acres, nestled in leafy green Edgbaston, just three miles from
Birmingham city centre. The University is home to the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, housing works by Van
Gough, Picasso and Monet; and the 100 metre high Joseph Chamberlain Clock Tower (affectionately
known as ‘Old Joe’) a prominent landmark visible from many parts of the city. Academics and alumni of the
University include British Prime Ministers Neville Chamberlain and Stanley Baldwin, and 11 Nobel
laureates. We have been integral to some of the greatest scientific discoveries of recent times, such as the
Higgs Boson and Gravitational Waves, and are pioneering new approaches to tackling some of the biggest
global challenges facing society; from antibiotic resistance and maternal health to conflict resolution and
access to education.
Ranked in the top 100 universities globally and top 20 in all domestic league tables, the quality of what we
do at Birmingham is widely recognised. Awarded Gold in the 2017 Teaching Excellence Framework and in
the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2014), more than 80 per cent of our research was
rated as internationally excellent or world-leading. In 2014, the Times and Sunday Times named us
University of the Year in recognition of our bold, ambitious strategy and innovative approach to the
challenges facing the sector. In 2016, they named us University of the Year for Graduate Employment –
recognising our sector-leading employability programmes and outstanding graduate employment.
A Convenor of Debate
The University also plays an important role in shaping the national political agenda. We count two UK
former Prime Ministers among our past Chancellors, and continue to welcome MPs, Ministers, and
Prime Ministers to our campus. We regularly host political debates and events, bringing together people
from across the political spectrum to debate the biggest issues.
Our research helps to shape the national political agenda too. The ground-breaking Birmingham Policy
Commissions bring together key figures from the public, private, and third sectors with our academics to
generate new thinking on contemporary issues of global, national and civic concern. Commissions to date
have included reports on the shape and nature of local public services in a ‘big society’, the future of
nuclear energy in the UK, the security impact of drones, Healthy Ageing, Mental Health, and Cold Energy.
Exceptional Research
The University is one of the UK’s most successful in terms of attracting research funding. With a portfolio
of 2,515 live projects valued at £709 million, our research record speaks for itself; the total value of
research funding won by UoB in 2016/2017 was £170m, and we are looking to double our research income
by 2026. More than 80 per cent of all research outputs submitted by Birmingham to the latest UK-wide
research quality survey (REF 2014) were rated as internationally excellent or world leading, with 87 per
cent of submitted research case studies judged to have global impact further confirming our position
among the world’s top research universities in a broad range of areas.
Outstanding Students
We have been encouraging bold, independent thinking and providing exceptional academic programmes
that stretch and challenge for more than a century. We are proud of our excellent teaching which has
been recognised in both the University’s recent outstanding performance in the Quality Assurance
Association’s (QAA) Higher Education Review and our Gold rating in the 2016/17 Teaching Excellence
Framework (TEF).
We understand that every student is individual with a unique learning style, and have invested in the latest
learning facilities and technologies. As a result, we attract students with the finest academic credentials.
Year on year, applications for our undergraduate places are growing rapidly and more impressively than
they are nationally or for comparable universities – in 2017 we have received almost 90,000 applications
for our programmes. This year, we will welcome approximately 12,000 undergraduate and postgraduate
students at home and abroad. We are committed to delivering a first-class experience for our students in
every aspect of their university life.
Global Outlook
Ranked 81st in the QS World University Rankings 2020, the University has a significant international
presence. The University was one of the founding partners of, and remains highly active in the Universitas
21 global network of research intensive universities. Our global outlook has two main components. In
research, the University has a focused approach with an emphasis on key country partnerships. In China,
we have developed a broad range of activities, including a signature collaboration with the Guangzhou
Municipal Government, and well developed research collaborations in many parts of the country; we also
have a dedicated China Institute to further these partnerships. In Brazil, the Universities of Birmingham
and Nottingham are working together in a unique collaboration to develop a network of strategic
partnerships with Brazilian universities, as well as the oil and gas industry. In North America, the
University has a major collaboration with the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign underpinned by a
flourishing network of faculty-to-faculty relationships. In Australia, we have a growing partnership with
the University of Melbourne, and in India, our partnerships continue to develop and have been
strengthened by our Chancellor, Indian-born entrepreneur and Cross Bench Peer Lord Bilimoria of
Chelsea.
Sport Sport is integral to life at Birmingham and we are regularly ranked in the top five in the UK for the quality
of student sport and are proud to count 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympians and Paralympians amongst our
current students and alumni. The University has recently invested £65 million in its sports facilities, not
only for our students and staff but for the wider community. We hosted the fastest man on earth in 2012
when the Jamaican track & field team chose the University as the venue for their pre-Olympic training
camp and they were back again in 2017 as they prepared for the World Athletics Championships in
London. We worked closely with partners regionally and nationally to secure the 2022 Commonwealth
Games in Birmingham and are delighted to have been chosen as the venue for both Hockey and Squash.
Structure The University structure is organised into five academic Colleges – College of Life and Environmental
Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, College
of Social Sciences, and College of Arts and Law – each with a distinctive identity and areas of renown.
These are supported by Professional Services.
In international education, we have more than 1,500 students being taught on Distance Learning
programmes; over 200,000 learners have taken one of our Major Open Online Courses (MOOC), with 60%
of these overseas students; and we deliver University of Birmingham degree programmes in Singapore
and China. We also have partnership agreements with many of the world’s leading universities, and
offer a range of different educational collaborations, including joint PhDs with the University of
Melbourne, numerous ‘2+2’ degree programmes, and a developing suite of Master’s courses delivered in
conjunction with partners around the world. The University currently has some 7,000 international
students. As a University with a global mindset, we have offices in New Delhi, Brussels, Shanghai, and
Guangzhou. We opened the first phase of our Dubai campus in 2018 with the second phase due to open in
September 2021.
There has never been a more exciting time to join the University of Birmingham.
THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Birmingham is the most populous and diverse UK city outside London, and has one
of the largest youth populations. It’s roots lie in its explosive growth as the first
manufacturing town in the world.
Despite its strong industrial heritage, it has over 8,000 acres (3,237 hectares) of parkland open spaces,
making it the largest urban nature reserve in Europe. Today, Birmingham is a major international
commercial centre, and an important transport, retail, events and conference hub. It is the only city
outside London to have 4 department stores and 5 Michelin star restaurants. Birmingham’s five
universities have a combined student population of 85,000, with University of Birmingham the largest with
35,500 students. Its major cultural institutions include the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the
Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts at the University of Birmingham.
In recent years Birmingham has been one of the most transformed
cities in Europe, with several phases of major redevelopment
including the Bullring Shopping Centre, the redevelopment of New
Street Station into Grand Central (rail and retail), a new city library,
alongside a focus on showcasing Birmingham’s industrial heritage
with the development of features such as Brindley Place (built
around Birmingham’s canals) and the Jewellery Quarter.
BIRMINGHAM ~ CITY OF SPORT
Birmingham has played an important part in the history of modern sport. It was the first city to be declared
a National City of Sport by the Sports Council. Birmingham is also the City which founded the world’s first
football league competition in the late 1880s (based on Aston Villa FC and Birmingham City FC). It is where
the modern game of lawn tennis was developed around 1860 in Edgbaston; and the Edgbaston Archery
and Lawn Tennis Club remains the oldest tennis club in the world. The Birmingham and District Cricket
League is also the oldest cricket league in the world.
Today, the city has some world class sporting facilities, and plays host to some global sporting events,
including:
Edgbaston Cricket Ground (international status)
o Most recently hosted 2019 World Cup Cricket, and is the venue for Commonwealth Games
cricket in 2022
Villa Park and St Andrew’s Football Grounds
Arena Birmingham
o World Indoors and Grand Prix Indoor Athletics
o All England Badminton Championships since 1994
o World and European Gymnastics
o Davies Cup Tennis
o Commonwealth Games 2022 venue
The Alexander Stadium
o Diamond League Athletics
o Commonwealth Games 2022 athletics venue, and Opening & Closing Ceremonies
Edgbaston Priory Club
o Birmingham Classic WTA Tour Event
o British Junior Open Squash Championships
The Belfry ~ hosted the Ryder Cup on 4 occasions
Edgbaston Cricket Ground
Brindley Place and Birmingham’s canals
BIRMINGHAM 2022 ~ Commonwealth Games
In December 2017 Birmingham was officially declared host for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The Games is scheduled to take place between the 27th July and 7th August, with the following venues and
sports/disciplines:
Alexander Stadium (under renovation): Opening & Closing Ceremonies; athletics
Arena Birmingham: gymnastics
Birmingham City Centre: 3x3 Basketball; beach volleyball
Edgbaston Cricket Ground: women’s cricket
University of Birmingham: squash and hockey
National Exhibition Centre: badminton, boxing, table tennis, netball, weightlifting
Sandwell Aquatics Centre: aquatics
Sutton Park: triathlon
Ricoh Arena: rugby 7s, judo, wrestling
Cannock Chase: cycling (mountain bike, road, time trial)
Victoria Park, Leamington Spa: lawn bowls
Lee Valley VeloPark, London: track cycling
As well as being the competition venue for squash and hockey, the University of Birmingham is also likely
to be an important training venue, including use of the University’s 50m pool and 8-lane athletics track.
The University has established a Steering Group to plan its contribution to and benefit from the 2022
Games. The strategic sub-groups include Venues & Sport; Student Experience; Research; Profile and
Communications; Culture; Commercial and Business Engagement.
The University’s Venues Operations Group includes relevant functional leads within the University, and is
led by the Director of Sport. It includes sport, Estates, Security, Catering, Cleaning, Sustainability, The
Guild of Students and IT Services.
UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM ~ CAMPUS SERVICES
UoB Sport & Fitness forms part of the University of Birmingham’s Campus Services, the
largest portfolio within Professional Services, comprising 1,100 staff and an annual
turnover of almost £60m. Overall, this is one of the largest campus services portfolios in
the HE sector.
Alongside Sport, Campus Services comprises:
Student Accommodation
Catering
Conference & Events
Cleaning and recycling
Portering, transport and sustainability
Nurseries (3)
Bramall Music Auditorium
Winterbourne House & Botanical Gardens
Security & Emergency Planning
Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre
The Exchange (a new facility in the city centre)
The Director of Sport is part of the
Campus Services Senior
Leadership Team, led by Director
of Campus Services, Simon Bray.
Simon’s CV includes a wide range
of senior positions within HE and
FE, and has a sporting pedigree as
the last amateur to win the British
Road Race (cycling) title prior to it
going professional.
Sport sits comfortably within the Campus Services portfolio/team, being a mix of commercial operation
and student experience. Its focus is on delivery of service excellence, identifying innovative and sector-
leading opportunities for income generation, whilst aligning the department’s vision with the University’s
2026 strategy.
As an income-generating department, Campus Services seeks to strike a balance between enhancing the
student and staff experience and ensuring a financial return to the institution through the effective use of
University assets.
The department’s major objectives are, therefore geared to driving two strands of the Birmingham 2026
vision:
A destination of choice for the best researchers and students in the world
Financially strong, with a healthy surplus to continue to invest in our academic mission and the
student experience
The primary objective of Campus Services is to ensure a first-class experience whilst maximising
financial return, recognising that the ‘experience’ is a key priority if Birmingham is to be the destination of
choice.
Campus Services operates in an environment of change and increasing expectations and its future
direction will be influenced by the following factors:
The changing size, mix and spending behaviour of the University customer base. The HE sector in
the UK is facing a number of unprecedented challenges as a result of the range of potential BREXIT
outcomes, the impact of significant political uncertainty, and the growth of the student as a
‘consumer’, as well as the increasing global competitiveness of the higher education market. We
now add the impact and uncertainties resulting from Covid-19 to that list. Value for money for
students is a growing consideration for sport, accommodation and catering.
Managing costs will be a major challenge. All universities’ finances are under growing pressure
due to increased direct labour and pension costs alongside other operational costs. The economic
climate, particularly in the context of Covid-19 will also continue to bring additional challenges
with regard to efficiency and effectiveness and supporting the University’s proposition as an
attractive place to work and study.
Generating income through assets such as the conference hotel, events (including residential
sporting events), sports facility membership catering, and other University facilities to support re-
investment in the University and its students.
UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
SPORT & FITNESS
UoB Sport & Fitness is a team of 150 staff, providing a diverse range of sport,
fitness, personal development and wellbeing opportunities to students, staff, local
community and others. Provision covers facilities, programmes, services and
events, from absolute beginner level to elite performance athletes and players.
SPORT STRATEGY
Although UoB S&F has a current strategy, Sport’s Senior Management Team is currently in the process of
producing a draft University Strategy for Sport, for future endorsement by the University’s Executive
Board. The current S&F strategy has the following vision, mission and strategic goals:
The strategic goals for UBSport & Fitness have 3 strands:
Provide a distinctive Birmingham sporting experience . . . .
o which is best in class (amongst RG universities) across the range of opportunities we offer
o contributes to recruitment & retention of talented students and staff
o creates proud and loyal alumni networks via the development of strong sport-based relationships and communities
o a first choice partner and venue for collaborative projects and events
Wellbeing o Encourage and support the physical & mental wellbeing of our communities
o Create an active and healthy campus where physical & mental wellbeing is recognised as important to the success of the University, and is embedded in our culture, helping our community(ies) to thrive
Talent development and sporting success
o Provide sector-leading dual career support for talented sportsmen and women who choose Birmingham to pursue their academic and sporting ambitions
o Support the development of tomorrow’s leaders of business, education, sport and society, through the vocational experience they gain through their involvement in sport
o Achieve and sustain a national and international reputation as a leading (top 5) Russell Group University for sport
VALUES
UBSport’s values are broadly aligned to those of Professional Services:
1, Respect; 2, Inclusive; 3. Excellence; 4. Innovative; 5. Collaborative
OUR VISION
Destination of choice as a
global sporting university at
the heart of an ambitious city
OUR MISSION
Enabling people to thrive,
fulfil their potential and
achieve extraordinary things
STRUCTURE AND PEOPLE
A simplified chart of UoB Sport & Fitness structure and turnover:
Section Business Operations
Sport Business Support Raymond Priestley Centre (Coniston)
Functional Areas covered
Facility Operations Membership Sales Marketing Participation Health & Fitness Events
Student Clubs (Athletic Union) Performance Scholarships Coach support Volunteering
Business Systems Finance Support Bookings Training Health & Safety Project Support
Facility Operation Programme Development & Delivery Centre Admin & Finance
Staff Headcount (excludes casuals)
82 AU = 35 Perf & Schols = 10
6 10
FTE 68 AU = 13.7 Perf & Schols = 9.6
6 8.2
Expenditure (2018-19) £4.2m AU = £1.52m P&S = 760k
£233k £410k
Income (2018-19) £5m AU = 890k P&S = 315k
£6k £385k
Pay % of total costs 55% AU = 44% P&S = 74%
77% 70%
Facilities
Sport & Fitness Club May 2017
Bournbrook Pitches Autumn 2017
Pavilion/Clubhouse February 2018
Gymnastics (Gillett Centre) Sept 2017
Athletics Track Sept 2017
Tiverton Gym Sept 2019
Boathouse (Worcester) 2010
Raymond Priestley Centre (Coniston)
1947
Metchley Lane Pitches
Membership
The following chart shows the breakdown of Facility-based memberships in 2018-19.
Figures in red are the headcount of members in that category. Since Tiverton Gym was opened in
September 2019, it has attracted an additional 2,500 student members. Tiverton Gym has added an
additional 80 stations to the existing 200 stations in the Sport & Fitness Club, with an income target of
around £½m on a break-even budget.
Participation Programmes
The participation team manage a range of programmes and activities including group exercise classes,
learn to swim programme, campus leagues/sport (intra-mural), kids’ camps and a number of one-off
participation events.
The participation team manage a range of programmes and activities including group exercise classes,
Try-A-Sport, learn to swim programme, campus leagues/sport (intra-mural), kids’ camps and a number
of one-off participation events.
Group Exercise: up to 180 classes offered each week, attracting the following participants:
Attendances % of total Individuals % of total
Students 61,000 50% 4,320 62%
UoB Staff 20,800 17% 750 11%
Community 39,500 33% 1,840 27%
121,300 6,910
Try-A-Sport: 10 week introductory coaching programmes in a variety of sports at beginner &
improver levels
Learn to Swim: 1,000 children and 100 adults take part
in the swim programme, as well as over 40 local
schools for swim lessons
Campus Leagues: 170 teams (1,800+ participants) took
part in 2019-20 campus leagues, and 900 in one-off
events. Our new College Leader Board is proving
popular. Target of 5,000 participants by 2022.
Growing range of physical and mental wellbeing activities across campus
Student Sports Clubs
Birmingham has 55 student sports clubs, attracting over 4,500 student members. Around 500 students
volunteer annually for Club Committees, with clubs operating to the philosophy of ‘student clubs run for
students by students’, with appropriate levels of support from UoB Sport staff.
Birmingham enters 77 teams in BUCS team championships. This compares with an average of 113 across
the BUCS top 5 ranked institutions, the highest being 127. Birmingham’s new sport strategy will include
consideration of the value and cost of increasing team entries as a tactic to move back up the BUCS
rankings. Over recent years UoB’s most successful sports have included hockey, athletics, squash,
archery, netball, golf, cycling, gymnastics and ultimate.
The women’s hockey club has an enviable record over the
last decade or so, not only in BUCS, but as the longest
standing University team in England Hockey’s National
Premier Leagues, and the only club in England to have 4
teams in the National League (men’s and women’s 1st & 2nd
teams). The club has also produced a steady stream of
internationals, including 2 Olympic gold medallists in Rio.
The Athletics Club has also attracted and produced a steady stream
of national and international athletes, including Olympians, World
Championship and World University medallists. The athletics Club
currently hosts one of the two initial British Athletics Talent Hubs in
recognition of the performance environment at the University.
Women’s recurve archery has had a particularly successful period,
having won each indoor and outdoor BUCS team title since 2016.
The Performance Team and Scholarships
UoB Sport & Fitness has its own in-house applied performance team, providing support for sports
scholars, first teams, and their coaches across a broad range of sports. They specialise in supporting
dual-career athletes, and over the last 3 years 100% of graduating scholars achieved a 2:1 or 1st class
degree classification.
In 2019-20 UoB supported 82 scholars, comprising:
• 31 full scholars (national/international)
• 32 club scholars (national)
• 18 women’s hockey (team scholarship)
30 of those scholars competed at international level, 14 at full senior level.
7 UoB students or alumni returned from Rio 2016 with medal, 3 Olympic and 4 Paralympic, including 4 gold
medals. One of those was hockey player Lily Owsley, who returned to her 2nd years Sports Science studies
following her Olympic triumph.
Student Skills and Workforce Development
Our volunteer programme is called “The Extra Mile”.
Over 400 students engage in The Extra Mile,
collectively delivering almost 10,000 volunteer hours
during the year. UoB’s students are often the
predominant volunteer workforce for major events in
the city such as the Birmingham 10K and Half-
Marathon. 50 volunteers help to run the British Junior
Open Squash Championships each year and our
student physios volunteer to provide essential pitch-
side support for sports clubs.
Over the next 4 years sport aims to contribute 225,000 volunteer hours to the University’s Birmingham In
Action campaign, as part of Development & Alumni Office’s one million hours target.
Events Since the investment in new facilities, and helped by
being a Commonwealth Games venue, UoB Sport has
become increasingly attractive as an events venue. This
is also due to the events expertise within the team to
support event organisers. Being an integral part of
Campus Services helps provide a joined-up response to
clients across sport, accommodation, catering and
other support services.
The collective approach has built on the experience and
profile of successful events such the 2012 Jamaican pre-Olympic Camp (repeated in 2017), the 2015 Rugby
World Cup preparation camp for South Africa, the 2018 UK Transplant Games and 2018 World University
Squash Championships. That experience is also enabling the University to provide effective support as a
competition and training venue for Birmingham 2022.
The University also hosts a range of community events such as the annual Birmingham School Games.
Sports events, including residential are expected to be an growing part of Campus Services’ business in
future years, capitalising on the University’s significant investment in its campus assets, including
investment in the University rail station.
Collaboration and Partnerships
UoB Sport & Fitness works in partnership with a wide range of organisations, locally, regionally, national
and international. The University is a designated centre for a range of sports, including:
FA Women’s Football Performance Centre and a FA Grassroots Hub
In 2019, UoB was awarded funding to become a London Marathon Training Base and a British
Athletics Talent Hub
Hub for the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme
Collaborative partnership with the Sports Authority of India
These are some of the other partners we work with:
DIRECTOR OF SPORT ~ Job Details
This is an opportunity to lead sport at the University of Birmingham into its next exciting phase, following the very significant recent investment in its sporting estate. Alongside its academic School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, ranked 6th in the world, the University has a long and proud heritage for its pioneering and ambitious leadership in sport. The Director of Sport will play a pivotal role in leading the next stage of strategic development for sport within the University and representing its interests within the HE and sport sectors, nationally and internationally. This remit requires a passion and deep understanding of sport (including fitness, physical activity,
wellbeing), and across the continuum from absolute beginner to sports performance. It also requires a
blend of strategic and commercial acumen, academic empathy, and strategic people leadership
capability, to effectively manage the diverse team across the broad Sport & Fitness portfolio. The Director
of Sport will have the ability to successfully balance commercial operations with a high quality
student/customer experience. S/he must also be able to operate confidently and successfully across the
University, command the respect of both Academic and Professional Services colleagues and to be able to
empathise with students.
In recent years, the University has opened a number of new sports facilities that have greatly enhanced
the student and staff experience, whilst also extending its community engagement. These include a £55m
indoor sport and fitness club, a £4m development of Bournbrook pitches, a new sports pavilion and a
replacement athletics track. Although the new facilities have been a game-changer for the University,
UBSport is fundamentally a people-focussed business, where the common values, expertise and inter-
personal skills of the team determine the quality of the customer journey, and ultimately the sustained
success of UBSport.
The Director of Sport will regularly interact with various Professional Services’ leads across the
University, with senior colleagues in the Guild of Students, with colleagues in the School of Sport, Exercise
and Rehabilitation Sciences (SportexR) and other academic schools. As with all senior roles at
Birmingham, the Director is expected to be active and influential nationally as well as locally within
Birmingham, acting as an effective ambassador for the University and bringing best practice back to the
University.
The Director brings the skills and attributes to meet both strategic aspirations and the operational
requirements to lead across the breadth of the sport portfolio. They need to be an excellent leader of
people, being able to get the best out of teams and individuals, and have the ability and desire to contribute
to a wider range of leadership and management issues within Professional Services as well as across the
University. Intellectually confident, and with the personal qualities to succeed in a highly complex,
ambitious University, s/he has an ability to build rapport and trust with diverse groups and individuals
across the University and ensure UBSport’s mission and ambitions complement the academic endeavour
of the University.
DIRECTOR OF SPORT ~ Role Summary
The Director of Sport is the University’s strategic lead for sport and fitness and supports the University’s wider wellbeing agenda. They lead a large complex team across a broad range of sport and related programmes and services; with an annual turnover approaching £8m. The recent capital investment in facilities places increased emphasis on achieving an appropriate balance between driving commercial revenue generation
and delivering an outstanding student experience.
Key responsibilities of the Director of Sport
Strategy
The Director of Sport will lead strategic planning and implementation for sport within the University,
establishing a clear role for sport in supporting the University’s strategic framework. It will involve
working in partnership with other Professional Services colleagues, relevant academic colleagues, the
Guild of Students and a range of external partners and organisations.
The strategy will need to be adaptable to a rapidly changing environment in higher education and sport,
and be sufficiently agile to anticipate threats and capitalise on opportunities. The Director of Sport will
play an entrepreneurial role in ensuring the University capitalises on the benefits of its investment in
sports facilities, including student recruitment, enhanced visibility/recognition as a leading Russell Group
sporting university (including branding & media exposure), profit generation, recruitment of talented
student-athletes, community engagement, and attracting major events. They will develop and sustain an
effective strategic network within the sport & fitness industry, nationally/ internationally and use it
effectively to leverage value/impact for the University.
Leading People
The Director of Sport leads a team of c. 150 contracted staff (≈108 FTEs) alongside a significant casual and volunteer workforce. A summary of UBSport’s organisation chart:
The Director will be required to provide strategic leadership to the diverse range of staff, to create an
inspiring working environment and culture that reflects UBSport’s collective values. They will have a
proven track record of effective people management and development and know how to develop, nurture
and get the best out of their team. They will also have the ability to effectively engage with and influence a
wide range of colleagues across the diversity of the University, and be willing to contribute to the
leadership of the sector.
Lead Business & Financial Planning
The Director of Sport will lead effective translation of strategy to realistic and sustainable operational
business plans, budgets and performance targets/indicators via effective delegation of responsibilities
and accountability to direct reports. They will ensure effective systems and processes are in place to
achieve objectives and business effectiveness, including appropriate support from Professional Services’
business partners (finance, HR, IT). This includes short- and longer-term financial planning and project
business plans based on full-economic costing. The Director of Sport will need to be strategically and
politically astute to negotiate a fair University subsidy to support the student experience aspects of
UBSport’s offer, to ensure the University remains competitive in the HE student recruitment market in
terms of perceived value for money and quality of experience. It is also important for UBSport to maximise
the business opportunities for the University from external funding, partnerships, events, consultancy,
event management, recruitment initiatives, etc.
Facilities Planning and Management
With the level of recent investment, UBSport has an impressive, high quality sporting estate, and with that comes the challenges of ensuring it is properly maintained, that plans are in place for longer-term renewals, and that funding requirements are accurately projected in budgets. The current drive for improved transparency with regard to cross-charging will help to understand the full cost of sports facility operations, particularly with regard to Estates’ costs and any new facility developments.
Occupancy across UBSport’s different facilities is a crucial outcome for the Director of Sport to drive with their team in optimising participation and income generation.
Reputation and Brand Profile
The Director of Sport will lead their team to ensure UBSport’s profile, professional reputation and
confidence within the University is sustained at a high level. That extends to enhancing the University’s
reputation and profile through sport and through major sporting events attracted to the University,
including optimising the value of hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and specifically
at the University. The Director of Sport should be a major contributor to the production and
implementation of a University events strategy in collaboration with the Conferences and Events team,
Birmingham City Council and other relevant partners.
Partnerships and Collaboration
UBSport’s delivery sits within a complex web of partnerships and collaboration; and requires
development of strategic networks, profile and influencing. The Director must have the ability to build
rapport and confidence across a range of University functions and departments to capitalise on the
strengths of sport to the University and externally. Important external partners include Birmingham City
Council, Sport Birmingham (the City’s strategic sport partnership), relevant national governing bodies of
sport, and a range of local community clubs, some of which have long-standing strategic partnerships.
Within the University, UBSport’s collaboration with, and support for the work of academic colleagues is
becoming increasingly important, and UBSport and the School of Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation have
become much closer partners. Working with the Head of School and other academic colleagues to identify
further strategic opportunities is an important part of this role.
External Profile and Influencing
The Director of Sport will be proficient at strategic networking and building their external profile to
ensure the reputation and profile of the University is sustained and enhanced in and through sport, such
that the University is a recognised first-choice partner in relevant sporting initiatives and other events
within the city, region and nationally. They should also encourage and support relevant members of the
UBSport team to contribute to local, regional and national sporting bodies where relevant to UBS’s
objectives or to the individual’s professional development.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The Director of Sport will bring the skills and attributes, and proven track record, of a senior operational and strategic leader in order to support the University’s strategic aspirations and operational requirements of Sport.
The Director will have a mix of strong commercial, entrepreneurial, relevant operational and university/sports sector experience. They will have the ability and desire to contribute to a broad leadership and business agenda within Campus Services, Professional Services and across the University. Intellectually confident, and with the personal qualities to succeed in a highly complex, Russell Group University, they will have an ability to build rapport and collaborate as a team player, and leader, with diverse groups and individuals across the University.
Skills and Experience
o Proven track record of successful leadership and management of a multi-disciplinary team, preferably in a sporting environment
o At least degree or equivalent, preferably in a sport &/or management related discipline
o Proven strategic thinker, with the ability to engage in strategic debate to achieve innovative strategic outcomes and new opportunities
o Highly proficient in, and with a proven track record of business and financial planning & management
o Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
o Highly confident in application of relevant mathematical disciplines to business planning, e.g. statistics, algebra, financial and other numerical modelling
o Ability to maintain attention to detail alongside seeing the overall strategic picture.
o Ability to deliver results in a pressured environment
o Excellent inter-personal skills that build trust, respect and rapport, and creates mutually beneficial relationships with a wide variety of people to influence perceptions and opinions – politically savvy
o Communication: ability to communicate thoughts and ideas to others, in writing or speaking, in a clear, concise and confident manner, to effectively engage, persuade and influence a range of individuals and groups.
o Excellent presentation skills
o Track record of delivering results through successful partnership and collaboration
o Excellent organisational skills and ability to effectively prioritise
o Negotiations skills, diplomacy, adaptability. patience and resilience
o Will have an effective national network within the sports industry
Knowledge
o Detailed knowledge of current structure, politics and dynamics of sport and its governance in the UK (i.e. which bodies do what).
o Knowledge of the general landscape for sport in the UK (e.g. trends and patterns in participation in the leisure industry).
o Business and financial planning & management
o An understanding of:
o sports facility management
o membership management & customer service
o sports development
o performance sport (sports science/medicine)
o marketing & communications
o General understanding of relevant statutory and other guidelines relevant to operating a large multi-functional sports business
o Knowledge of HE/education and key issues influencing the sector
o General understanding of marketing & branding.
o Broad knowledge of modern IT systems and their application to enhancing business processes and customer service.
o Understanding of National Governing Bodies of sport and the current environment in which they operate
HOW TO APPLY
Key dates
The selection process will have 2 phases:
An initial long list will be invited to a one-day selection day on Thursday 9th July 2020
From this selection day a short-list of successful candidates will be invited to attend final selection across
2 days: Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd July 2020
How to apply
In order to apply, please submit a comprehensive CV along with a covering letter which sets out your interest in the role and encapsulates the aspects of your experience relevant to the required criteria.
Please include current salary details and the names and addresses of three referees. Referees will not be approached until the final stages and not without prior permission from candidates.
The deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 21st June 2020. The preferred method of application is online at: https://bham.taleo.net/careersection/external/jobdetail.ftl?job=200001Y2&tz=GMT%2B01%3A00&tzname=Eur
ope%2FLondon
All applications will receive an automated response. Any information collated from the Equal
Opportunities Monitoring Forms will not be used as part of the selection process and will be treated as
strictly confidential.
Personal data
In line with GDPR, we ask that you do NOT send us any information that can identify children or any of your
Sensitive Personal Data (racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade
union membership, data concerning health or sex life and sexual orientation, genetic and/or biometric
data) in your CV and application documentation. Following this notice, any inclusion of your Sensitive
Personal Data in your CV/application documentation will be understood by us as your express consent to
process this information going forward. Please also remember to not mention anyone’s information or
details (e.g. referees) who have not previously agreed to their inclusion.
Contact details
For a conversation in confidence, please contact Zena Wooldridge on 07768 156218 or e-mail
We are committed to ensuring everyone can access our website and application processes. This includes
people with sight loss, hearing, mobility and cognitive impairments. Should you require access to these
documents in alternative formats, please contact Sarah Skidmore [email protected]
