ABOUT LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
Sport Competition Coordinator
RF/15408 REQ14203 April 2014
As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to redeployment, please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any stage of the recruitment process if a suitable redeployee is identified.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
These are exciting times for Loughborough Sport. The Universities new strategy propels sport to the top table, alongside Teaching, Research and Enterprise.
We have set ourselves an ambitious target of having 75% of our students playing sport and/or being physically active at least 3 times a week. This is a world leading ambition consistent with our global reputation in sport and all of its associated disciplines.
Whilst this target is challenging, it’s achievable. Loughborough has an historical head start because we attract many students who are already committed to sport and /or physical activity. This is reflected in only 23% of our student population not citing sport as significant to their choice of University.
We are not just about numbers. Equally important to us is the ability to offer every student the opportunity to enjoy life shaping experiences through sport; be that as a participant, a leader, a coach or as a committed volunteer. Whilst these might seem lofty aspirations we have plenty of evidence that for many of our students the experience of being involved in sport at Loughborough has been life shaping in extraordinarily diverse ways.
This is partly because we have a shared philosophy that at all times we seek to empower students to take responsibility for delivering large elements of the overall student sport experience. To achieve this we run academies in leadership, volunteering and coaching that ensure we nurture a high quality ‘workforce’ of student volunteers who are committed to delivering both student sport and community outreach programmes.
Whilst we want to develop the abilities of the many talented and able sportspeople at Loughborough we are equally determined to appeal to all types of students regardless of sporting prowess or ability. Many of our students want to play competitive sport at a level appropriate to their abilities and we want to broaden the scope of our current offer.
You will be expected to work as part of a wider Student Experience Team and at all times work closely with our Student Union and Loughborough College who are partners in the Loughborough Sport brand and with whom we enjoy excellent working relationships built on trust, respect, good communication and hard work.
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Sport Competition Coordinator
GRADE: Administrative Services Grade 5 (AD5)
RESPONSIBLE TO: Sport Experience Manager
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Sport Competition Assistant Coordinator/Intern
Casual staff and volunteers, as appropriate
JOB PURPOSE: To develop a program of regular sport competitions/ competitive sports opportunities (none BUCS competition) appropriate to student abilities and expressed needs.
KEY TASKS:
· To develop and manage an agreed competitive sport programme, including Intra-Mural Sport (IMS), to achieve participation and student experience goals and targets.
· Through research, identify the sport competition expectations of our students and develop sustainable competitive opportunties that meet those identified needs.
· Ensure integration, alignment and efficient use of resources with the wider Sport Experience Team (SET), SDC and University programmes and especially the work of the Volunteer and Coach Academies.
· Produce and deliver a targeted communications plan, including all marketing and promotional materials, social media and website content for the programme.
· Oversee an effective performance measurement /monitoring system, ensuring successes are celebrated and shortcomings effectively addressed
Duties and Responsibilities
· Provide line management support and mentoring to the Sport Competition Assistant Coordinator and /or Graduate Intern.
· Be responsible for the devolved IMS and competitive sport budget and all other resources related to competitive sport programmes.
· Work with regional and local sport partners to identify potential resources and funding streams that enhance the student sport experience and that support the development of opportunities to achieve SDC targets.
· To act as advisor and mentor to student leaders by providing support, identifying progression opportunities and assisting with the resolution of any issues that may arise.
· To manage the delivery of IMS and other competitive sport activities and events, ensuring they are delivered safely and efficiently and that risk assessments are carried out as necessary
· Assess all relevant research, consultation and data analysis to ensure students competitive sport needs are fully understood. Initiate additional research and consultation where necessary.
· Develop specific expertise on student market segmentation and investigate and innovate new methods of reaching target markets.
· Work in collaboration with the SET and wider SDC to identify appropriate competitive sport opportunities which help achieve our participation and satisfaction targets.
· Through student consultation, develop competitive activities that meet the needs of students and provide development opportunities for those who have not been successful through the trials process into IMS and Athletic Union club teams.
· Coordinate the delivery of all competitive sport opportunities ensuring alignment and efficient use of resources and facilities
· Liaise with SDC Facility Operations and Facilities Management (FM) to ensure optimisation of available space for competitive sport.
· Work closely with the Student and Athletic Union to identify competitive sport opportunities, ensuring integration and alignment of opportunities through a collaborative approach.
· Work collaboratively with the Athletic Union President and Volunteer and Coach Academies to enhance and support the delivery of competitive sport opportunities within AU clubs as appropriate.
· Build sustainable capacity to achieve the Programme’s goals and targets.
· To work with the Volunteer and Coach Academies and National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) to support the development of student leaders, coaches and officials.
· To provide leadership for the delivery of competitive programmes ensuring they operate efficiently and effectively, empowering students to take a lead whenever possible.
· To work with the wider SDC on the tendering process to ensure all IMS clothing is appropriately sourced (approx. 2000 shirts, hoodies, jackets etc.) annually.
· To meet regularly with the Sport Competition Assistant Coordinator/Graduate Intern and student leaders, identifying further opportunities to introduce new roles in line with the expansion of the competition structure.
· Work with relevant partners including National Governing Bodies on the development and delivery of a range of competitive opportunities.
· Work with the SDC Communications Team, Design and Print Services and the Students Union to develop high quality marketing and promotional materials that engage with target groups.
· Oversee the maintenance and development of content for the IMS and other competitive sport website pages and social media outlets.
· Identify the most efficient tournament management system to schedule events, plan fixtures, record results and monitor participation and liaise with the system providers to ensure it meets the needs of the programme.
· To oversee the collection and analysis of data and records of student participants who are engaged with My Lifestyle and any other recreational sports activities and in conjunction with the My Lifestyle Coordinator, identify and implement improvements to service provision and the efficiency of data collection.
· To organise and oversee the annual presentation evenings for IMS and other sport competitions.
· To attend regular meetings with the wider Sport Experience Team (SET) and other relevant key University personnel, external agencies and contribute appropriately.
· To carry out any other duties, commensurate with grade, that may be reasonably requested.
Special Conditions
All staff have a statutory responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves, others and the environment and to prevent harm by their acts or omissions. All staff are therefore required to adhere to the University’s Health, Safety and Environmental Policy & Procedures.
Successful completion of probation will be dependent on attendance at the University’s mandatory courses which include Respecting Diversity and, where appropriate, Recruitment and Selection.
It will/may be necessary, on occasions, to work outside normal working hours including some work in the evenings, weekends and on Bank Holidays and University Closure Days.
Points to Note
The purpose of this job description is to indicate the general level of duties and responsibility of the post. The detailed duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character or level of responsibility entailed.
Person Specification
Job Title: Sport Competition Coordinator
Grade: Administrative Services Grade 5
Department: Sports Development Centre
Criteria
/ Essential / Desirable / Stage to be assessedExperience / Experience of working as part of a team.
Experience of working with students/young people.
Experience of working to increase participation in sport and physical activity.
Experience of leading teams for specific tasks.
Experience of managing projects.
Experience of organising competitions and events.
Previous experience of monitoring budgets and following financial procedures.
Relevant experience of working in an office environment. / Experience of managing staff.
Experience of coaching.
Experience of working with the national sport partners.
Experience of the health and fitness/physical activity sector.
Experience in the use of marketing and social media to increase participation.
Experience of developing and using tournament management systems. / 1, 3
1, 3
1, 3
1, 3
1, 3
1, 3
Skills and Abilities / Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to develop good working relationships with people at all levels.
Excellent organisational and time management skills.
Ability to work on own initiative.
Leadership skills.
Ability to inspire and motivate others.
IT skills necessary for analysis, report writing, presentations and general communication (Microsoft Office).
Ability to multi-task and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
Attention to detail. / Proactive use of social media
Ability to collect analyse, and interpret data / 1, 3
1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3
1, 3
1, 2, 3
3
1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3
1, 3
Training / Be committed to, and actively participate in, a programme of continuing professional development.
Commitment to personal development. / 1, 3
1, 3
Education & Qualifications / A Level or equivalent vocational qualification.
GCSE in English and Maths / A degree in a sport/leisure /health/activity related subject. / 1, 3
Other / Knowledge of a broad range of sports and their requirements.
An understanding of the structure of sport in the UK.
Knowledge of the UK sporting landscape and the role of Sport England, national sports partners and NGBs
Flexibility with a willingness to work outside normal working hours including some work in the evenings and at weekends.
Enthusiastic with a keen interest in sport.
A commitment to observe the University’s Equal Opportunities, H&S and IT Acceptable Use policies at all times. / Knowledge of local sports partners including CSPs and community sport delivery agencies.
An understanding of the working practices of University sport and the roles of the Athletic Union. / 1, 3
1, 3
1, 3
1, 3
1, 3
3
Stages in assessment:
1. application form (at shortlisting), 2. selection test, 3. interview.
Conditions of Service
The appointment will be on a full time, open ended contract on Administrative Services Grade 5 (£22,927 - £27,318 per annum) at a starting salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
The appointment will be subject to the University's normal Terms and Conditions of Employment for Operational and Administrative staff, details of which can be found at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/media/wwwlboroacuk/content/humanresources/downloads/opsandadminservicescos.pdf
Informal Enquiries
Informal enquiries should be made to Tim Garfield by email at: or by telephone on 01509 226101.
Application
The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, 25th April 2014.
Job Evaluation Panel 07.04.2014