Sport Development Manager

Organisation: Paddle UK
Salary: £38,000 to £46,000 per annum (dependent on experience)
Location: Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 9 March 2026
Interview date: 19 March 2026
Job Description: Department: Paddlesport
Reports to: Head of Sport and Recreation
Location: Paddle UK Offices, National Watersports Centre, Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham
Contract: Full time, 37 hours per week (Monday–Friday, with occasional evenings and weekends)

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and driven Sport Development Manager to lead national initiatives that grow junior participation in competitive paddlesport.

This role is central to expanding the sport’s reach and creating clear, accessible entry points for young people. You will design campaigns, systems, partnerships and support services that enable clubs, schools, coaches and communities to inspire, engage and retain new audiences in paddlesport.

Working across the organisation and through a wide network of partners, you will turn strategy into practical, scalable programmes that strengthen the pathway from first experience to sustained, ongoing lifelong participation.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the development of comprehensive start-up activity packages, including training opportunities, templates, guidance, resources and assets that support delivery through clubs, coaches, disciplines and venues
Create and embed frameworks for programme accreditation, training and support to ensure consistent standards in governance, safeguarding and EDI
Develop, launch and evolve a national paddlesport promotion campaign and strategy, using appropriate platforms and networks to reach and retain new audiences
Build and manage strong relationships with external partners including community sport providers, Active Partnerships, youth groups, clubs, charities, local authorities and venue owners
Work with the Youth Sport Trust and School Games Organisers to co-create activities, training and activation resources for primary and secondary schools
Collaborate with the Competitions & Events team to align major events with participation growth opportunities and audience engagement
Identify funding opportunities and develop sustainable financial models in partnership with charities, agencies, stakeholders and commercial partners
Develop systems and insight tools to track local project impact and membership attribution
Lead cross-departmental project teams, managing plans, timelines, budgets, risks and reporting on progress and impact

About You

You are a strategic and practical sport development professional who understands how to grow participation from the grassroots up at scale. You are confident working across sectors, building partnerships and turning ideas into well-managed, impactful projects.

Essential skills and experience

Proven experience developing and managing participation programmes in sport, education or community development
Excellent project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and delivery sites
Experience working with volunteers and achieving positive outcomes in community settings
Strong strategic planning and organisational skills
Experience managing budgets
Ability to manage a varied workload while maintaining attention to detail
Ability to prioritise, make decisions under pressure and meet deadlines
Experience delivering projects on time and within budget
Good IT skills, including MS Office and Google applications
GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths

Desirable

Experience within the School Games network, Youth Sport Trust or school sport settings
Experience developing grassroots hub networks or community sport partnerships
Understanding of paddlesport disciplines and the outdoor market
Experience developing promotion and marketing campaigns, ideally in sport or education
Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject
Qualification in coaching, sport development or youth work

What We’re Looking For

We value people who:

Take initiative and bring a proactive, “can do” approach
Build strong relationships with a wide range of partners and volunteers
Communicate confidently with diverse audiences, including young people, teachers and coaches
Work well both independently and as part of a team
Stay adaptable and resilient when priorities change
Address challenges constructively and professionally

Full details of the role can be found in the Job Description.

We recognise the contribution our employees make and think these benefits reflect our appreciation:
Hybrid working - 2 days a week in the office
25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
Dress for your day (jeans acceptable)
Free onsite parking and bike storage
Company pension scheme
Employee benefits platform (including Bike to Work, Health and Wellbeing and discounts)
How to apply: To apply and to find out more about Paddle UK, our benefits, culture and recruitment process please visit our Careers Centre at www.paddleuk.org.uk.