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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER - PADEL QUARTER
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Business Development Manager — Padel Quarter
Portsmouth, Hampshire
Full-time | Permanent
£35,000 base + opportunity to earn more with overtime + discretionary performance bonus
Padel | Sport | Hospitality | Start-Up
Are you the kind of operator who thrives on building something from scratch? Do you get a buzz from turning a blank canvas into a slick, well-run venue? If you're looking for your next challenge — one that gives you genuine ownership, commercial responsibility, and the chance to be part of something brand new — this could be the role for you.
About Padel Quarter
Padel Quarter is an exciting new padel club launching in Portsmouth — part of the fastest-growing sport in the world. We're building a premium venue that combines high-quality padel courts with a great café, pro shop, events programme, and a genuinely welcoming club community.
The Role
The Business Development Manager plays a key leadership role in the development, delivery and continuous improvement of Padel Quarter's coaching programme, community engagement and increasing the overall utilisation of the club.
Through strategic partnerships and community engagement the Business Development Manager will identify new business opportunities whilst developing relationships with local schools, colleges, universities, businesses and community organisations to increase participation and support local sponsorship opportunities.
Ensuring customers of all ages and abilities receive exceptional coaching experience. This role is responsible for leading all aspects of the coaching operation, driving participation and player retention, maximising court utilization, developing player and coaches’ pathways, and supporting the commercial growth of the club. This includes overseeing coaching, social play, events such as leagues and tournaments, corporate experiences and community engagement initiatives.
What You’ll Be Doing
Coaching Programme Delivery
- Lead and deliver a high-quality coaching programme for adults, juniors, beginners, intermediate, and advanced players.
- Plan, organise, and deliver individual and group coaching sessions to a consistently high standard.
- Develop structured coaching pathways that encourage participation, progression, and long-term player retention.
- Ensure coaching sessions are safe, engaging, enjoyable, and aligned with recognised coaching best practice.
- Monitor player development and provide regular feedback to support improvement and achievement of individual goals.
- Maintain professional coaching standards and act as a positive role model for participants.
Coaching Team Leadership
- Support the recruitment, development and ongoing performance of both employed and self-employed coaches, acting as the primary point of contact to ensure consistent coaching standards and professional development.
- Manage coaching schedules and resources to ensure effective programme delivery.
- Provide guidance, feedback, and ongoing development opportunities for the coaching team.
- Promote a consistent coaching philosophy and customer experience across all coaching activities.
- Support succession planning and identify opportunities to expand the coaching team as participation grows.
Player Development & Participation
- Create opportunities for customers to engage with coaching programmes, social play, competitions, and club activities.
- Develop junior and adult coaching pathways that encourage long-term participation and progression within the sport.
- Support talented players through advanced coaching programmes and competition preparation.
- Introduce new initiatives to increase participation amongst underrepresented groups and the wider local community.
- Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion by ensuring coaching programmes are accessible, welcoming, and representative of the needs of the local community.
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Customer Experience & Engagement
- Build strong relationships with customers, participants, parents, guests, and visitors.
- Act as a key point of contact for coaching enquiries and programme information.
- Deliver an exceptional customer experience by creating a welcoming, inclusive, and community-focused coaching environment.
- Manage participant feedback professionally and use insights to improve coaching programmes and customer satisfaction.
- Encourage customer retention through proactive engagement and relationship building.
Events, Competitions & Club Activity
- Organise and deliver coaching clinics, workshops, camps, tournaments, leagues, and social events.
- Support the planning and execution of promotional and community engagement activities.
- Assist with event preparation, court allocation, scheduling, and participant communication.
- Create an engaging and enjoyable experience for all players, regardless of ability level.
- Promote memberships, coaching programmes, events, and club initiatives to maximise participation.
- Lead the planning, promotion and delivery of the club's annual events calendar, ensuring a diverse programme of leagues, tournaments, social competitions, open days and corporate events.
- Develop new event concepts that attract new participants and enhance customer retention.
- Manage event budgets, sponsorship opportunities and supplier relationships to maximise commercial return.
Business Development & Commercial Performance
- Support the commercial success of the club by driving coaching revenue and participation growth.
- Develop new programmes and services that meet customer needs and generate additional income.
- Monitor coaching programme performance and identify opportunities to improve utilisation and profitability.
- Assist with membership growth initiatives through coaching-led engagement and retention activities.
- Act as a brand ambassador by embedding the organisation's values into everyday operations.
Community Engagement
- Build strong relationships with local businesses to generate corporate partnerships, employee wellbeing programmes and venue hire opportunities.
- Develop partnerships with schools, colleges and universities to introduce padel to new audiences.
- Develop relationships with local councils, sports organisations and governing bodies.
- Identify sponsorship opportunities that support the growth of the business.
- Develop new revenue streams including junior programmes, holiday camps, corporate events, birthday parties and bespoke coaching packages.
- Develop new event concepts that attract new participants and enhance customer retention.
Health, Safety & Compliance
- Comply with and promote adherence to company policies, procedures, governing body requirements, and legislative obligations.
- Maintain high standards of health, safety, safeguarding, and welfare across all coaching activities.
- Ensure appropriate risk assessments, participant records, and coaching documentation are maintained.
- Report and record incidents, accidents, concerns, and near misses in accordance with company procedures.
- Ensure safeguarding procedures are understood and followed by all coaching staff.
- Complete all mandatory training, qualifications, licenses, and continuous professional development requirements relevant to the role.
- Promote environmentally sustainable working practices wherever possible.
- Ensure all coaches maintain valid coaching qualifications, DBS checks, safeguarding certifications, first aid qualifications (where applicable) and appropriate insurance, with renewals proactively monitored and completed before expiry.
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Club Operations Support
- Work collaboratively with the Club Manager and wider team to support the successful operation of the club.
- Contribute to strategic planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Assist with operational duties during busy periods where required.
- Liaise with customers, suppliers, partners, schools, community organisations, and governing bodies to support club objectives.
- Undertake additional responsibilities and projects as required to support the growth and success of Padel Quarter.
What We're Looking For
We need someone who has done this before — or something very close to it — and who is ready to take on the full scope of the role.
Essential
- Recognised level 2 (or currently working towards) padel coaching qualification.
- Proven experience delivering coaching programmes to a range of ages and ability levels.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong leadership and team development capabilities.
- Ability to build positive relationships with customers, participants, and stakeholders.
- Commercial awareness and an understanding of participation and revenue growth.
- Strong organisational and planning skills.
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of programme delivery.
- Flexible approach to working hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Positive, enthusiastic, and professional attitude.
- Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Desirable
- Experience leading a coaching programme within a sports club or racquet sports environment.
- Experience managing or mentoring coaching staff.
- First Aid qualification.
- Safeguarding qualification.
- Experience organising tournaments, leagues, camps, or events.
- Knowledge of club management, membership growth, and sports participation programmes.
- Experience working within a start-up or growing sports business environment.
What's on Offer
- Competitive salary of £35,000 per annum, depending on qualifications and coaching experience
- Discretionary, non-contractual bonus
- The opportunity to be part of a brand-new club from launch
- Ongoing development within a growing business
- A varied and active role with coaching and operational responsibilities
- The chance to help grow padel in the local community
How To Apply
To apply, please send your CV and a brief covering note telling us why this role is right for you and what you'd bring to Padel Quarter.
Applications to: jamie@clear-people.co.uk
Closing date: 20th August 2026
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