Job Title / Director of Sport and Physical Activity
Faculty/ School/Department / Health Sciences
Responsible to:
Job Purpose
The Director of Sport is responsible for the management of the University’s Sports provision, providing inspirational leadership to the Sports Services staff and others delivering sport across the university.
Main activities and responsibilities
1.  Lead on the development and implementation of University Sport and Physical Activity Strategy
2.  To support the vision, ethos and policies of the University and promote high levels of achievement.
3.  To drive the vision of being one of the UK’s premier Sport and Education setting
4.  Management of the Sports Services staff to include selection, appraisal, performance management and staff development.
5.  To oversee the recruitment of high calibre athletes to all the academies for study at the Birmingham City University.
6.  To evaluate, plan and develop new Elite Sport Academies, where they support the university strategy and impact positively on University and University student recruitment.
7.  To consolidate existing and build enhanced links with sport governing bodies and clubs/teams to enhance the profile of the university within the sporting domain.
8.  To advise the Vice Chancellor on new sporting developments and trends.
9.  To maintain links with academic colleagues to maximize both academic and sporting performance.
10.  Be responsible for meeting health and safety requirements for the Sports Facilities and relevant Sports Services.
11.  Work with the Communications Department to ensure that the Sports Services provision is actively marketed at all relevant events and shows and to have an input in the production of all relevant marketing material.
12.  Undertake any other reasonable duties requested by the Line Manager or his nominee.
13.  Leadership and Managing a Team, inspire and generate respect from staff by giving clear direction, consultation and encouragement.
14.  Developing Potential, recognise the important of employee development by giving constructive feedback and support and enabling everyone to develop their full potential.
15.  Performance Management, manage and improve the performance and progress of others through regular reviews and constructive feedback.
16.  Interpersonal Style, consider and respond appropriately to needs, feelings and capabilities of different people in different situations by demonstrating listening skills and supporting the contribution of others.
17.  Accountability, have clear responsibility and accountability for specific activities required to produce results and meet standards. Able to ensure the successful completion of every task or activity they undertake at work including having a positive, can do attitude in their pursuit of their goals and duties.
18.  Commitment, be clear about each individual’s contribution to the achievement of University wide goals, to demonstrate positive attitudes in front of staff and inspire the same positive attitudes in every team.
19.  Decision making, able to identify the essential aspects of a problem quickly and clearly make decisions.
20.  Communication, both oral and written, able to use a range of techniques and styles to ensure that communication is timely, clear and effective.
21.  Personal Organisation, able to work in a methodical and organised way to achieve goals and ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
22.  Adaptability, able to adapt to a complex, ever changing work environment including adopting a flexible approach and reacting positively to changing circumstances.
23.  Team working, recognising responsibility as a team member to include providing active support and loyalty, valuing individuals for their knowledge and contribution, encourage everyone to contribute and to ensure fellow team members are fully informed of matters that may affect them.
24.  Quality & Customer Service, able to demonstrate clear commitment to achieving high levels of customer service to staff and students.
25.  Self-Development, the ability to recognise the responsibility to develop oneself and proactively seeking assistance to meet development needs.
Additional Key Requirements:
Managing People and Resources
Management of staff and staff target setting and appraisals
Management of £80k annual revenue budget and staffing budget
Direct and lead team and activities.
Manages budgets and allocation of resources across the University for all Sport and Exercise activity
Management responsibility for Sports Development staff
Communication
Communicate with University Executive and Board of Governors on Sport and Physical Activity Strategy and investment in Sports Facilities
Communication with Senior Executive Stakeholders regionally and nationally to leverage capital investment in BCU Sporting infrastructure for example Sport England and National Governing Bodies of Sport
Lead role in communicating with HR Health and Safety lead on staff Workplace Wellbeing
Communicate and build partnerships with key professional and amateur sports teams and organisations in the region to support the development of sporting opportunities and infrastructure, for example, Aston Villa FC, Birmingham City FC, Moseley Rugby Club etc
Communication lead with our Professional Sports Partner Warwickshire County Cricket Club to leverage opportunities as part of our 3 Year Partnership Agreement
Communicate complex information to a wide variety of audiences in order to influence, achieve change where necessary and achieve results.
Proactively promote a positive image of the University to all internal; and external audiences to enhance BCU’s image, reputation and influence.
Teamwork and collaborative working
Develop and lead University Strategy Sport and Physical Activity Group involving SU, academic Heads of Dept, Estates and external stakeholders
Lead the development of partnership agreements with professional sports teams in the City and National Governing Bodies of Sport
Lead teams within areas of responsibility and act to resolve conflicts within and between teams.
Works with key internal external partners and stakeholders and represents the University effectively key networks.
Build relationships across the sector to enhance the University’s strategy and support its mission.
Initiative, problem solving and decision making
Advise the University Executive and Board of Governors on all issues relating to investment in Sport and Exercise Facilities and Sport and Physical Activity strategy
Influence wider Faculty and University decisions through participation in relevant working groups and committees and consultations.
Initiate new and original solutions which support the University to respond effectively to changes affecting the HE sector.
Work environment
Lead role in all aspects of Health and Safety linked to all sport and exercise provision in the University
Be aware of the risks in the work environment and their potential impact on their own work and that of others.
Ensure that the University’s Health and Safety Policy, safe systems of work and appropriate risk management processes are operational within own areas of responsibility.
Person Specification
·  Education to degree level in a Sports related subject with a masters qualification being desirable
·  Membership and active engagement at a national level with governing bodies of sport and sports professional bodies
·  Experience of working in sport and physical activity at a strategic level
·  Experience of developing strategic sport and physical activity partnerships
·  Experience of developing and implementing sport and physical activity strategic plans
·  Experience of having worked in performance sport and developing sports performance infrastructure for sports scholarships students
·  Experience of securing external funding to support the development of University sporting infrastructure and the University sports teams
·  Experience of developing sports coaching infrastructure to improve the performance of University sport in national competitions
·  Ability to prepare and present complex reports, and other management information
·  Understanding of and commitment to promoting equality of opportunity in the working and learning environment
·  Managerial experience and the vision and drive to lead and motivate a team
·  Ability to operate director level across the University with clients and business partners including City and National sporting organisations
·  Effective management of financial and human resources and the resolution of disputes
·  Commitment to high quality teaching and fostering a positive learning environment for students.
·  Experience of supporting the development of student and staff workplace wellbeing
Special requirements
·  Ability to work regular evenings
Expectations of all staff
Professional standards
All staff employed by Birmingham City University are expected to exhibit high professional standards which promote and demonstrate the University’s core values of Excellence, People Focused, Partnership Working, Fairness and Integrity.
Equal Opportunities
All staff are expected to understand and enact the University’s commitment to ensuring equality and diversity in all activities. This commitment is enshrined in the Equality Statement and core values.
Dignity at work
Every member of staff has a responsibility to ensure colleagues are treated with dignity and respect.
The University is committed to creating a work environment for all staff that is free from harassment, intimidation and any other forms of bullying at work, where everyone is treated with dignity, respect and professional courtesy.
Health and safety
The arrangements for meeting the University’s health and safety objectives are contained in the Birmingham City University Health and Safety Policy. This includes the responsibilities of key staff and procedures covering the main activities of the University.
All staff are expected to take reasonable care of themselves and those that may be affected by their actions.
Dress code
The University does not operate a formal dress code for its employees, other than for those who are provided with uniform and/or protective clothing. However, employees must ensure that their dress is professional, reasonably smart and appropriate for the situation in which they are working. All staff should ensure that they present a professional image and one that reflects sensitivity to customer perceptions. This may reflect their ethnicity and lifestyle, but should not be provocative or cause offence to those with whom they have contact.
Citizenship
All staff are expected to adhere to good citizenship, being generous with help and support to others, collaborating with colleagues and working for the benefit of the University as a whole. In particular working to provide a positive student experience and achieving excellence in all the University’s activities.
This job description indicates the expectations of staff at this level. Job descriptions are not exhaustive and you may be required to undertake other duties of a similar level and responsibility.