Sport and Physical Activity Manager
| Posting date: | 17 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £38,285 to £45,738 per year |
| Additional salary information: | (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £52,605 per annum) |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 15 March 2026 |
| Location: | Derby, Derbyshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | University of Derby |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 0001-26 |
Summary
Our Campus Life and Student Living department is responsible for essential services that significantly impact the student experience.
Campus Life is all about the various services that enhance the overall student experience, including sports, recreational facilities and community engagement.
Whereas our Student Living teams ensure the safety, comfort and compliance of the University's residential estates.
Whichever team you become a part of; student experience is our focus!
Within Campus Life, the Sport and Physical Activity team is responsible for delivering a wide-ranging sport, performance sport and physical activity offer that enhances wellbeing, builds community and strengthens the University’s reputation for being Serious about Sport. Through the Team Derby brand, the team works closely with students, colleagues and external partners to deliver inclusive participation opportunities alongside high-quality competitive sport and events.
About the Role
The Sport & Physical Activity Manager provides operational leadership for the University’s sport and physical activity provision and plays a key role in championing the sport agenda across the institution.
The role leads a diverse team of staff, consultants, contractors and suppliers, and is responsible for the planning, delivery and evaluation of sport programmes, performance sport activity and sporting events. This includes oversight of operational planning, compliance and the successful delivery of projects aligned to departmental and University priorities.
A critical aspect of the role is building effective partnerships and influencing outcomes in a complex environment where delivery often depends on collaboration rather than direct authority. You will work closely with colleagues across academic and professional services, student groups, national governing bodies and commercial partners to align activity, secure resources and ensure a coherent, high-quality offer.
The role also involves managing existing sports-related commercial contracts, identifying opportunities to generate and leverage resources, and promoting the University as a destination of choice for students with an interest in sport and physical activity.
From time to time, you will support University-wide events such as Open Days, Graduation and Clearing, some of which take place outside normal working hours.
Anticipated interview date: 26th March 2026
About You
The ideal candidate will have significant experience delivering sport or physical activity programmes within a complex, customer‑focused environment and will be confident working across organisational boundaries. You will bring a proven ability to advocate for service priorities, influence decision‑making and build productive partnerships without direct line management authority, alongside the confidence to engage a wide range of stakeholders, balance differing perspectives and achieve shared outcomes through collaboration. You will also have experience managing teams and resources and demonstrate strong organisational and communication skills, supported by a relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification and a sound understanding of operational planning and service delivery within sport, leisure or student services. Above all, you will show a strong commitment to inclusive practice and to delivering high‑quality sport and physical activity experiences that enhance student engagement, wellbeing and institutional reputation.
Benefits
Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
Local Government Pension Scheme
Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
Discounted onsite gym
Holiday purchase
Cycle to Work scheme
A flexible working environment
A commitment to personal and professional development
Key Contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Ollie Shearer, Director of Campus Life via O.Shearer@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk
Important Information
If you are successful, you will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.
To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.
The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Please visit our website for more information.
Campus Life is all about the various services that enhance the overall student experience, including sports, recreational facilities and community engagement.
Whereas our Student Living teams ensure the safety, comfort and compliance of the University's residential estates.
Whichever team you become a part of; student experience is our focus!
Within Campus Life, the Sport and Physical Activity team is responsible for delivering a wide-ranging sport, performance sport and physical activity offer that enhances wellbeing, builds community and strengthens the University’s reputation for being Serious about Sport. Through the Team Derby brand, the team works closely with students, colleagues and external partners to deliver inclusive participation opportunities alongside high-quality competitive sport and events.
About the Role
The Sport & Physical Activity Manager provides operational leadership for the University’s sport and physical activity provision and plays a key role in championing the sport agenda across the institution.
The role leads a diverse team of staff, consultants, contractors and suppliers, and is responsible for the planning, delivery and evaluation of sport programmes, performance sport activity and sporting events. This includes oversight of operational planning, compliance and the successful delivery of projects aligned to departmental and University priorities.
A critical aspect of the role is building effective partnerships and influencing outcomes in a complex environment where delivery often depends on collaboration rather than direct authority. You will work closely with colleagues across academic and professional services, student groups, national governing bodies and commercial partners to align activity, secure resources and ensure a coherent, high-quality offer.
The role also involves managing existing sports-related commercial contracts, identifying opportunities to generate and leverage resources, and promoting the University as a destination of choice for students with an interest in sport and physical activity.
From time to time, you will support University-wide events such as Open Days, Graduation and Clearing, some of which take place outside normal working hours.
Anticipated interview date: 26th March 2026
About You
The ideal candidate will have significant experience delivering sport or physical activity programmes within a complex, customer‑focused environment and will be confident working across organisational boundaries. You will bring a proven ability to advocate for service priorities, influence decision‑making and build productive partnerships without direct line management authority, alongside the confidence to engage a wide range of stakeholders, balance differing perspectives and achieve shared outcomes through collaboration. You will also have experience managing teams and resources and demonstrate strong organisational and communication skills, supported by a relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification and a sound understanding of operational planning and service delivery within sport, leisure or student services. Above all, you will show a strong commitment to inclusive practice and to delivering high‑quality sport and physical activity experiences that enhance student engagement, wellbeing and institutional reputation.
Benefits
Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
Local Government Pension Scheme
Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
Discounted onsite gym
Holiday purchase
Cycle to Work scheme
A flexible working environment
A commitment to personal and professional development
Key Contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Ollie Shearer, Director of Campus Life via O.Shearer@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk
Important Information
If you are successful, you will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.
To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.
The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Please visit our website for more information.