The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

The Development Manager (Sport & Physical Activity) provides active mentorship to a high-achieving team, promoting the benefits of sport and physical activity for the University of Sheffield community.

Playing a key role in the Senior Leadership Team, the Development Manager crafts the strategic direction of sports programmes to align with the University's vision. Building crucial relationships within the University and with external partners, including national organisations (Sport England and BUCS), regional partners and local sports clubs.

This position demands creativity, innovation, experience, and high energy to consistently improve the institution's sport and physical activity offerings, driving impactful projects and providing outstanding student experiences.

Main duties and responsibilities  

As our Development Manager (Sport & Physical Activity), you will have a unique opportunity to build and enhance our sports programmes, making a significant impact on student experience and the wider University community.

Leadership and Vision:

• Lead the development and implementation of all sport and physical activity programmes.
• Define targets, assess impact metrics, and contribute as a vital member of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Enhance student engagement opportunities while balancing commercial activities.
• Participate in long-term facility planning, focused on improving the student experience through forward-thinking business strategies.

People & Culture:

• Lead the growth and maintenance of a high-calibre, cohesive sports and development team.
• Lead and support all facets of student sport, including clubs, campus leagues, elite athletes, and physical activity initiatives.
• Cultivate a culture of equality, respect, trust, and inclusion through clear values and efficient communication.
• Invest in staff development, uphold professional standards, and ensure adherence to University policies.
• Prioritise outstanding customer service, operational efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

Collaboration and Partnerships:

• Build and nurture collaborative relationships with diverse internal and external partners.
• Represent the department's interests, ensuring alignment with institutional policy and strategy.
• Cultivate strategic alliances to elevate the accessibility, scope, and impact of sport and physical activity initiatives.
• Optimise facility use, and attract diverse, high-profile events.

Financial Management:

• Contribute to departmental financial performance by preparing annual budgets and managing expenditure.
• Ensure rigorous financial planning and reporting.
• Use data and insights to monitor facility utilisation and improve income potential.

Health and Safety:

• Plan, direct, and carry out impactful health and safety protocols for all programmes.
• Lead all aspects of risk management for Sports Clubs and assist with Audits Processes.
• Ensure compliance with National Governing Body guidelines, uphold the Code of Conduct, and maintain safety standards for all excursions.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Support University Open Days and manage relevant administrative tasks.
• Demonstrate flexibility in working hours, including evenings and weekends, to support programme activities.

Join our dynamic team and contribute to enhancing sport & physical activity at the University of Sheffield!

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• Leadership and Vision. Provide highly visible, inspiring, and positive leadership, consistently demonstrating University values and integrity. Requires significant, proven experience and certified leadership qualifications, with a track record of successfully leading teams in complex environments. Must use creativity and innovation to drive strategic business delivery.
• Programme Delivery Management.  Ability to lead, design, and deliver sports programmes, events, and projects effectively and at pace (preferably in the sport/physical activity industry). Must apply strong management skills to coordinate business functions across the entire Sport & Physical Activity portfolio.
• Financial Management and Compliance.  Proven ability to manage complex revenue budgets, including rigorous processes for planning, forecasting, analysis, and reporting to ensure financial viability. Strong command of procurement regulations and legislation and their application to the sport and physical activity sector/wider university.
• Sport Programmes & Facility Management. Comprehensive expertise in sports development (from student participation to elite performance). Strong working knowledge of the wider sport, physical activity, and health landscape, including emerging trends. Must use data and insights to inform strategy, drive innovation, and ensure highest standards of delivery and facility management.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills. Highly developed interpersonal skills to cultivate trust and forge effective, collaborative relationships across diverse stakeholders (senior management, partners, students, community). Outstanding verbal and written communication for persuasive proposals, high-level reports, and presentations, plus superior negotiation, diplomacy, and influencing skills.
• Partnership and Sector Knowledge. Understanding of and familiarity with the HE landscape, local, regional and national strategies, experience of governing bodies of sport, local authorities, and health delivery agents. Proactive working examples of collaboration across these sectors would be an advantage.
• Safeguarding and Customer Centric Culture. Strong commitment to safeguarding welfare and delivering best practice. Outstanding and highly responsive customer management skills and experience leading/embedding a culture of continuous improvement. Must be a visible advocate for sport & physical activity for all.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place the week commencing 9th March 2026. This will consist of a facility tour followed by a presentation and long listing interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 16th March 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Fiona Kesteven (f.a.kesteven@sheffield.ac.uk).

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework Career Route
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record

A basic DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

Closing Date : 25/02/2026 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.