CONTRACT TYPE

Permanent
About the role
The University of Sussex is seeking an ambitious and forward-thinking leader to drive the future of sport and active wellbeing on campus.
The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering an inclusive, engaging, innovative and commercially successful sports and physical activity offer that aligns with the University’s Sussex 2035 strategy, with a strong focus on human flourishing, wellbeing, and community belonging.
About you
As Head of Sussexsport, you will be responsible for ensuring that our sports and activity services are at the heart of student life, improving health, fitness, mental wellbeing, and social connection. We need an individual with vision, who can anticipate future trends, rethink our sports provision to exceed student expectation, deliver commercial stability and maximise the use of our campus spaces for active wellbeing. The ability to engage both locally and nationally for partnerships and opportunities to enhance experience and commercial success.
For a strong leader, an innovator, a confident communicator, and a passionate advocate for student wellbeing, the University of Sussex is offering an incredible opportunity. The postholder will be experienced in the day-to-day delivery of a wide range of services and will have the ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders in order to build relationships to further grow and develop the offer of sport on campus.
About our Division
The Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services Division is vibrant and dynamic. We are continuously adapting to change and needs of our Students, Faculty, Visitors, and Permanent staff to deliver a great service. You can see our presence all around campus and we work behind-the-scenes to ensure an on-site positive experience for all.
Over the last 5 years we have developed the East Slope, now we are working on the Developing of the West Slope: a mix of student housing and spaces for learning, socialising, and student wellbeing services. We are also thrilled to be working on Sustainability Sussex. Our vision is clear. Our strategic goal is for this University to be one of the most sustainable universities in the world.
About Sussexsport
This is an extremely exciting time to join Sussexsport with growing memberships, winning student teams and a sector leading ACTIVE Us program delivering activity and physical wellbeing to our students and staff seven days a week.
As Head of Sussexsport, you will play an integral role in leading and forging the new future of sport and active wellbeing at one of the south’s leading universities. You will develop and create an active campus, enhancing student experience and ensuring the Sussexsport team deliver best in class customer support and advice across over 80 different sports and activities.
Facilities
Sussexsport is split between two sites on campus; the Sport Centre and the Falmer Sports Complex which are approximately half a mile apart.
The Sport Centre currently houses most of our indoor facilities with two sports halls, whilst the Falmer Sports Complex (FSC) is the location for our multiple outdoor pitches, specialist teaching space and strength and conditioning suite. The FSC is home to six outdoor tennis courts, two rugby pitches, two football pitches, a cricket square, a full size floodlit 4G pitch and artificial turf pitch and outdoor cricket net.
Usage
The facilities are predominantly used by staff and students on a pay and play and membership basis, although Sussexsport has a number of regular community users, particularly at evenings and weekends. The service has also hosted local, regional and international events and our sector famous BUCS teams in weekly competition. We also run popular children’s camps in the holidays including sports such as football, basketball, netball, tennis and cricket.
During term time over 30 different university sports clubs use both venues for team training. The classes and course programme offers a wide variety of aerobics, dance and movement classes with over 50 sessions offered each week. In addition, intra-mural and inter-area leagues and tournaments provide for opportunities for more casual and friendly involvement in sport for players who do not play for university teams.
For further information visit our web pages.
Why work here
Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.
Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.
Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion
Further Key Information
Please contact Helen Power-Hosking (h.power-hosking@sussex.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.
The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.
Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role may be eligible for sponsorship. Please consult our Skilled Worker Visa information page for further information about Visa Sponsorship.
This role will require the successful applicant to undertake and pass a DBS check.
June 2, 2025 5:59 PM

Please refer the Job description for details