University of Warwick
Head of Student Sport (111687-0626)
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About The Role
Informal Queries
For informal queries about the role, please contact Olivia Brook, Recruitment Manager, at Olivia.Brook.1@warwick.ac.uk
The Head of Student Sport is a senior leadership role within the Students Delivery function at Warwick Sport. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Sport – Sports Delivery & Operations, the post holder is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) responsible for driving the student sport and active wellness agenda across the university.
The role exists to implement the student-specific strands of the University's Active Wellness & Sports Strategy. It serves as the bridge between strategic intent and day-to-day delivery, ensuring sport and physical activity are embedded as meaningful components of the wider student experience. The post holder oversees an operation that engages over 13,000 students annually — including 5,000 participating in 61 competitive sports clubs and a further 4,000 in recreational programmes.
About You
The ideal candidate is an experienced, sports development leader who combines strategic thinking with hands-on operational delivery. They are equally comfortable presenting business cases to senior stakeholders as they are supporting a team of Head Coaches on the ground.
Leadership & Management
A proven people leader who can inspire high performance, set clear expectations, and hold teams accountable through objectives and KPIs. They delegate effectively, manage competing demands, and create a culture of continuous improvement.
Sports Development Expertise
They bring authoritative knowledge of physical activity and sports development, with a strong understanding of statutory requirements and safeguarding obligations in sport. Hands-on experience of leading sports development programmes — ideally in a complex, multi-strand environment — is essential.
Strategic and Commercial Acumen
The candidate can translate strategy into delivery plans and has experience building evidence-based business cases and funding bids. They understand financial governance, budgetary control, and resource management within a devolved operating context.
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Stakeholder And Relationship Skills
Strong interpersonal and influencing skills are a must. The successful candidate will be confident representing Warwick Sport externally (e.g. with BUCS, NGBs, and commercial partners) while also navigating complex internal university relationships across procurement, finance, legal, and the Students' Union.
Higher Education Experience
Experience of working within a higher education setting is desirable, though not essential. What matters most is an ability to understand and operate within a complex institutional environment where sport serves a broader student wellbeing and experience mission.
Personal Attributes
The role demands tenacity, drive, and determination — someone who takes ownership, makes independent decisions when needed, and remains focused on outcomes. Flexibility is also required, with some evening and weekend working expected.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership as part of the Senior Leadership Team, delivering business plans, budgets, and major projects
- Lead the growth of participation across sport, physical activity, and wellbeing programmes for students, staff, and the community
- Oversee delivery of Active Wellbeing, club sport, and performance sport programmes, enhancing the overall student experience
- Develop and manage budgets, driving income generation and commercial opportunities
- Build and manage strategic partnerships, including with the Students’ Union and key University stakeholders
- Lead, develop, and manage high-performing teams, ensuring clear targets, performance monitoring, and staff development
- Continuously review and innovate programmes to meet strategic objectives and sector trends
For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.
About The Department
Work at one of the UK’s leading universities — Warwick is consistently ranked as a top institution worldwide, with a thriving campus community and reputation for excellence.
The University of Warwick has endorsed a new strategy for Active Wellness and Sport, re-shaping our Mission to ‘provide access, opportunities and experiences that inspire and enable everyone to reach their potential’.
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Warwick Sport delivers a comprehensive programme of sport, physical activity, and community engagement across the University of Warwick’s indoor and outdoor facilities. The Sports Delivery Team delivers all student related activity that is delivered across our facilities with over 13,000 students engaged annual.
About The University
We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 74th in the world and 9th in the UK.* Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.**
Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.
*World University Ranking 2026, Complete University Guide 2026 **Research Excellence Framework 2021
How to Apply
Closing Deadline: Sunday 26th July 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)*
To apply, please click HERE.
Interview Date: Stage 1: 11th August 2026, Stage 2: 25th August 2026 Start Date: October 2026
What we Offer
We Provide a Comprehensive Range Of Benefits, Including
- An attractive pension scheme.
- 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
- Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
- Onsite childcare facilities.
- Excellent learning and development opportunities.
We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here.
We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
To find out more about our commitments to equality, diversity, and inclusion, please see: Our Commitments | University of Warwick
Job Description
JD - Head of Student Sport (111687).pdf – 192KB Opens in a new window
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