Sports administrator : Employers and vacancy sources

'Sport' is a broad term, referring to all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental wellbeing, forming social relationships or competing at a variety of levels. It is also a growth sector - lottery funding and government initiatives for the development of sport in the UK have led to an increase in employment opportunities in many sports associations and governing bodies, at local, regional and national levels.

Sports administration roles are often based in professional or amateur sports clubs, which vary hugely in size. Administrators are also employed in national bodies for the promotion of sport, such as Sport England , and bodies responsible for the governing of a particular sport, like the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA)  or the Football Association (FA) . Or they may be involved in running local leisure clubs, health spas or school and university sports facilities.

Sport is increasingly a government policy priority for reducing obesity and promoting healthy lifestyles, and there are opportunities in central government, local authorities and leisure centres. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is the government department responsible for encouraging wider participation in sport, and there are many other bodies, such as the Big Lottery Fund, that support much of the sporting activity in Britain today. The five Sports Councils (UK Sport , Sport England , Sport Northern Ireland , Sport Scotland , Sports Council Wales ) are funded by the government; they distribute lottery funding and employ sports administrators and researchers, and Sport England has set up the County Sports Partnership Network , which delivers coach, club and volunteer development and facilities, works with children and young people, shapes local policy and liaises with governing bodies.

The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London are expected to employ around 100,000 people - including 3,000 staff, and thousands of volunteers and contractors. Information, jobs and volunteering opportunities can be found at London 2012  (follow the link to 'get involved'), and there is also a work experience programme.

Sport is becoming increasingly used as a means of community development and social inclusion, and there may be opportunities to move into a career in the charitable or community sector. In this case, experience such as working with minority ethnic communities, people with disabilities or young people will be very valuable. There may also be opportunities in international development organisatons or non-governmental organisations providing voluntary projects overseas, such as sports coaching.

International opportunities exist for representing sports clients, and in branding, sponsorship, sales or consumer products licensing.

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• Sports Management
• Leisure Management
• Leisure Opportunities
• UK Sport
• English Institute of Sport
• Sportsweb
• Sports Recruitment International
• Jobs With Balls
• Leisure Jobs
• Sporting Appointments
• World Leisure Jobs  - also a good source of sports industry news.
• Youth Sport Trust
• Scottish Sports Association  - jobs in Scotland.
• Jobs.ac.uk  - for jobs in the education sector.
• SportBusiness Marketplace Directory  - for lists of contact details.
• Careers fairs - see Careers in Sport and Leisure (held annually in Sheffield).
• London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG)  - for jobs related to the London Olympic Games 2012, including volunteering opportunities.
• Sports governing and organising bodies.
• Local and regional newspapers (for lower level positions), and national newspapers and industry magazines (for management and specialist positions).
• Local authorities.

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