Sports Development Officer job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:
- Coordinating, delivering and promoting relevant activities, classes and events, often within a specific community or to targeted groups;
- Identifying sport, recreation and health initiatives and overseeing strategic planning and implementation;
- Employing, training, supporting, developing and managing coaches and volunteer staff;
- Checking venues and managing facilities;
- Liaising with clubs to develop best practice in coaching, youth development and issues such as safeguarding to manage clubs effectively;
- Working in partnership with school initiatives such as active schools, to encourage participation in sport and organise parental involvement;
- Raising public awareness of health and fitness issues and promoting participation in sport, particularly amongst underrepresented groups;
- Evaluating and monitoring activities and projects using performance indicators;
- Maintaining records and producing written reports;
- Attending local, regional and national meetings, seminars and conferences;
- Working with national governing bodies (NGBs) for specific sports in relation to clubs and events;
- Developing a range of partnerships with organisations and initiatives focused on health education, criminal justice and community regeneration;
- Managing resources and a budget and identifying potential opportunities for external funding;
- Maintaining links with state, regional and national sporting representatives and organisations;
- Working within specific guidelines, e.g. equal opportunities, health and safety, child protection;
- Offering coaching and supervision when appropriate.
Sports Development Officer job description should include these common skills and qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Sports Development, Physical Education, Health and Exercise Sciences etc
- Pre-entry work experience in community, sport, school or voluntary organisations is essential.
- Coaching experience is highly desirable.
- Excellent leadership ability
- Initiative, self-motivation and the ability to motivate others
- Ability to make decisions under pressure
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, to communicate effectively with all sections of the community
- Ability to work with other individuals in a group setting
- Project-management skills and the ability to manage people, including groups of volunteers
- Capacity to work independently
- Negotiation skills and political awareness of current sports issues
- Excellent organisation, administration and IT skills
- A practical commitment to sport and an in-depth knowledge of a particular sport or a range of sports
- Ability to build up good working relationships with client groups and partner bodies, and work in a team.
As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Sports Development Officer starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Sports Development Officer job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.
Job seekers interviewing for the role of a Sports Development Officer may also reference it in preparation for the interview.