Sports administrator : Career development

Opportunities for promotion depend on the size and nature of your employing organisation. If you start at a support/secretarial level, you may move to a higher-level sports administrator role, then potentially to a managerial position. (This route is more likely in a smaller organisation.) You could move up to be in charge of a team, to become a development officer or manager, or even managing director. The Chief Executives of major UK sporting bodies often arrived via a career in sports administration. For higher-level positions in larger organisations, experienced staff with a specialist background may be recruited. Progression within the sector may require a move to another organisation.

You may find career development opportunities through voluntary work or your own leisure-time activities, where you can develop additional relevant skills and gain necessary practical experience.

Experience gained as a sports administrator often provides a good entry point for a future career in other aspects of sport or related areas (e.g., corporate sponsorship, media planning or health promotion) as it allows you to develop your knowledge, make good contacts and gain an insight into related fields. Employees seeking higher salaries may move out of sports administration into other professions.