The department and role
Warwick Sport is the University of Warwick’s state of art, world class fitness space like no other, located on the University’s leafy green campus their mission is to inspire and motivate students, staff and members of the wider community to engage in an active lifestyle that supports physical and mental wellbeing.
This exciting, newly created role represents a rare opportunity to join a senior team that has overseen the development and realisation of the one of the most impressive all round sports facilities and venues in the UK in the last 5 years. The Sports and Wellness Hub (opened in 2019) includes a 25 metre swimming pool, state of the art climbing wall and an extensive multi-purpose activity space – all underpinned by the very latest infrastructure and technology.
Reporting directly to the Director of Sport & Active Communities, you will be responsible for the overall operation of the Warwick Sport business, ensuring facilities and activities are operated effectively and optimally. As such you will lead the development and management of Warwick Sport, taking full commercial accountability by ensuring income and expenditure targets are met to fulfil Warwick Sport’s ultimate purpose – providing exceptional service for both the University and all associated users and customers on a day-to-day basis. With a proven ability to develop and implement a strategic plan and possession of vision and strategic awareness you will be able to spot and exploit commercial opportunities whilst balancing the needs of the University and various stakeholders
About you
With your proven people, commercial and business development skills you will have the opportunity to drive the growth of Warwick Sports. Our planned success will be dependent upon outstanding leadership and team development and as the Director of Sports Operations and Delivery you will be a recognised leader of our great people. A major part of this success will come from your focus on our ongoing business development activity and commercial growth strategy. As such you will drive exceptional customer service, build relationships with key existing clients and partners, identify and win significant new clients and partners and constantly explore new markets and new opportunities for Warwick Sports.
Your involvement in and delivery of the overall strategic plan for Warwick Sport will be key in ensuring the delivery of our mission, goals, and strategic objectives. This high level responsibility will be underpinned by taking the lead role in the day-today management of our operations, making sure that we work in a wholly efficient, high quality and safe environment. As you would expect, you will need to have excellent all round communication skills, vital in maintaining good relationships with strategic partners and leading your team to consistent success – both for Warwick Sports and themselves. Your passion for customer service and quality delivery will be underpinned by a real appetite for commercial leadership, financial management and business growth.
Educated to degree standard or equivalent professional experience, you will have significant senior management experience at a similar level in a complex environment over a sustained period of time. This is an outstanding opportunity for the right person to really test themselves and prove all of their hard won professional skills to the full.
Full- time 37.5 hours per week, including some weekend and evening working.
Additional benefits include 30 days paid annual leave plus statutory and customary days, generous pension scheme, student discounts, electric car scheme and cycle to work scheme.
The University of Warwick has appointed SearchHigher as their recruitment partner for this campaign. Interested candidates should email enquiries@searchhigher.com with the most up to date copy of their CV. Following this, an informal phone call will be arranged for the right candidates and also the full job description and person specification shared, to support in submitting a tailored CV and cover letter for consideration by the client.