Head of Sport Operations - 12m FTC Maternity Cover

Organisation: Swim England
Salary: £49,650 - £54,000
Location: SportPark, Pavilion 3, 3 Oakwood Drive, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, Le11 3QF
Contract type: Fixed Term (Full time)
Closing date: 29 March 2026
Interview date: 9 April 2026
Job Description: Our standard Full Time Equivalent hours are 35 hours per week, unless otherwise specified in the job advert.

Swim England is the national governing body for swimming in England.

We help people learn how to swim, enjoy the water safely, and compete in all our sports.

Our vision is of a nation swimming and we strive to inspire everyone to enjoy the water in the way that suits them. We work with our partners to create engaging programmes that enable everyone to be active, have fun and stay healthy through swimming.

Your application is generated using the information you have provided in your Profile. Your CV and any additional supporting evidence will also be attached and made available to the hiring manager.

- 12 Month Fixed-Term Contract Maternity Cover
- Minimum of 2x Days a Week Onsite + Occasional National Travel

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and collaborative Head of Sport Operations to lead the operational delivery of Swim England’s sport programmes and support the successful delivery of national performance and talent pathways across aquatic sports.

Reporting to the Director of Sport, you will provide leadership and oversight of the Sport Operations team, ensuring the effective planning and delivery of operational services, sport science and medicine support, and national programme activity.

You will work closely with the Director of Sport, Head of Sport and wider sport directorate to ensure programmes are delivered in line with Swim England’s strategic objectives and aligned with Aquatics GB performance pathways.

This role requires strong leadership, organisational and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to balance strategic planning with the operational delivery of complex programmes that support athletes and coaches.

Key Responsibilities
In this role you will:

- Provide leadership and management of the Sport Operations team, including the Sport Science and Medicine Programme Manager and Lead Sport Coordinator.

- Support the strategic leadership of sport programmes in collaboration with the Director of Sport and Head of Sport, ensuring integrated planning across aquatic talent and sport plans.

- Lead the operational planning and delivery of national sport programmes, including training camps, competitions and athlete support activity.

- Oversee the delivery and integration of Sport Science and Medicine (SSSM) services supporting national programme athletes and coaches.

- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of sport operations, SSSM and DiSE programmes, ensuring alignment with performance objectives and organisational strategy.

- Support the delivery and reporting of the DiSE (Diploma in Sporting Excellence) programme, including monitoring outcomes and return on investment for stakeholders and funding bodies.

- Ensure a consistent, athlete-centred culture across programmes, maintaining the highest standards of governance, welfare and safeguarding.

- Work collaboratively across Swim England and with external partners and stakeholders to support the successful delivery of national sport programmes.

- Contribute positively to the leadership and development of the Sport Directorate, supporting a collaborative and high-performance culture.

- Manage the Sport Operations budget in conjunction with the finance team, ensuring accurate forecasting and effective allocation of resources to maximise programme impact.

- Develop and maintain effective operational systems, policies and processes that support the efficient delivery of sport programmes.

- Build strong working relationships with athletes, coaches, practitioners and partner organisations to support the delivery of key objectives.

- Carry out any other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the role, in line with organisational policies and procedures

Skills and Experience

Essential

- Experience leading teams within a sport, performance or programme delivery environment.

- Strong understanding of athlete development pathways and performance sport systems.

- Experience managing complex programmes or projects with multiple stakeholders.

- Proven ability to plan and deliver operational activity such as training camps, competitions or athlete support programmes.

- Experience of managing budgets and resources effectively.

- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams and with external partners.

- Strong organisational and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

- Experience developing and implementing policies, systems and operational processes.

- Commitment to maintaining high standards of athlete welfare, safeguarding and governance.

- Ability to work both strategically and operationally within a fast-paced environment.

- Flexible and adaptable approach to changing organisational needs.

- Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.

Desirable

- Experience working within a National Governing Body or similar sporting organisation.

- Understanding of the England talent and high-performance sport landscape.

- Experience supporting or managing the DiSE programme.

- Knowledge or experience of aquatic sports.

- Experience using athlete management systems such as Teamworks Hub.

- Project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2) or equivalent.

Please be advised that we cannot offer visa sponsorship and that you must have right to work in the UK to apply or be considered for this role. If you are a non-UK/EU National, you must have an appropriate working Visa to undertake employment. You must also be working within the UK to apply or be considered for this role, due to the public liability insurance Swim England holds.

Swim England is committed to inclusion and embraces the spirit of equality legislation. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role are guaranteed an interview. We are also piloting a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for applicants from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Candidates who opt in to the scheme and demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. Applicants can indicate if they wish to opt in by answering the relevant question within the application form.

Where possible, Swim England will always make reasonable adjustments for accessibility to anyone who requires it.

If you would like any of the documentation in a different format or would like to apply in a different way please get in touch. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process, in line with the Equality Act 2010. However, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

Swim England is also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
How to apply: https://sepeople.jobs.people-first.com/jobs/details/recruitment%2Fjobdetails%2Ff0ac9446-cc07-4401-a060-19cddfb1cad0