Head of WLV Sport (Sport and Physical Activity)

This is a Secondment opportunity until 1st May 2027

To help us achieve the sport and wider university vision, we are seeking to appoint an outstanding strategic and operational leader to drive forward the professional services department for sport at the University of Wolverhampton.

WLV Sport is the professional services department of the university that delivers the sport and physical activity provision to students, staff and the local community. WLV Sport supports the university wide strategy of creating opportunity, developing people and opportunities to deliver a profound societal impact on its local, national and international communities.

This is a key leadership role that balances driving commercial operations combined with delivering extensive opportunities for the university community to be physically active. Alongside this, it is imperative that the sports provision enhances the academic curriculum through a model of student placements and volunteer opportunities and continues to grow local, national and international partnerships for the sustained growth of awareness, opportunity and commercialisation of the sports facilities and programmes at the university.

This is an exciting role that will provide the autonomy to lead and drive WLV Sport in a new direction to develop the next phase of the Sport and Physical Activity strategy.

The ideal candidate will possess or have experience/ knowledge of the following.  

• Extensive knowledge of sports operations including driving commercial income
• Detailed understanding of financial planning and management preferably in sports setting
• Awareness of the sporting landscape, in particular, higher education sport
• Awareness and understanding of the important role sport and physical activity plays in supporting the academic curriculum, volunteer opportunities and, wider health benefits
• Strong people and line management skills with the ability to develop teams and individuals to create a performance driven culture
• A proactive attitude that is grounded in ensuring that the department is embedded within a culture of inclusivity, providing opportunity and access of the sports offer to all.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact James.dale@wlv.ac.uk.

The University of Opportunity for Students and Staff

As part of our commitment to ensure the diversity of our staff body reflects those of the student and local communities we serve, we particularly welcome applications from candidates of Black, Asian, or Ethnic Minority heritage, and candidates who are Disabled (including people who may not define themselves as disabled, but nevertheless encounter challenges)

PLEASE NOTE: Applications are scored against the criteria set out in the job description and person specifications attached to this advert. Applications are not assessed against the job advert so please ensure your applications are crafted against the Job Description and Person Specification contained within it.