About Birmingham City University
At Birmingham City University, we are a diverse and inclusive learning community of over 31,400 students from more than 120 countries. We aim to become an exemplar anchor institution, creating and sharing knowledge for a better and more inclusive society. We are committed to providing a transformational educational experience, supporting world-class research, and fostering a collaborative and supportive working environment for our staff.
Recognised as one of the UK’s Top 250 employers (Financial Times & Statista), we pride ourselves on being a place where colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to grow their careers while contributing to the success of our students and communities.
Our student demographic reflects the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of Birmingham itself, with a significant proportion of students from minoritised ethnic backgrounds and the majority of our home students coming from the West Midlands. This diversity is a strength, and it calls for a workforce that is equipped to challenge deficit narratives and thinking — those assumptions that position students from underrepresented groups as lacking rather than recognising their assets, strengths and potential.
By embracing this perspective, we aim to create an environment where all students and colleagues can thrive, and where our work contributes positively to the social, cultural and economic life of Birmingham and beyond.
Role Summary
We are seeking a Performance Sport Development Officer to join BCU Sport, supporting the delivery of high-quality services across the University. This is a key role in the development and delivery of our high performance sport programme at a time when we are growing our provision and maximising the opportunities that come with being based at a world class venue, in the Alexander Stadium.
In this role, you will support the development and delivery of the Excel strand of the BCU Sport and Active 2030 strategy, while providing performance support to all high performing student athletes on the scholarship and TASS programmes. You will coordinate and manage the planning, promotion and delivery of the performance programme including, strength and conditioning, nutrition, psychology, sport therapy, lifestyle and sports science. This position will lead on recruitment of high performing student athletes to BCU as well as oversee the day-to-day management of the TASS athletes and TASS delivery staff.
Key Responsibilities
- Coordinate the sport scholar performance programme ensuring scholars are supported from both an academic and performance perspective.
- Coordinate and oversee the relevant coaches and practitioners on a daily basis to ensure all activities are carried out to a high standard in strength and conditioning, nutrition, psychology, sport therapy, lifestyle and sports science.
- Manage the student volunteer programme working with the appropriate sport academic lecturers to offer volunteering opportunities in sport therapy, nutrition, strength and conditioning and sport science.
- Coordinate the TASS delivery including the recruitment, management and coordination of the multidisciplinary team of practitioners.
- Coordinate with TASS staff on the needs of the programme and provide various reports and feedback as appropriate.
- Ensure all delivery is aligned to best working practice with regards to health and safety, GDPR and safeguarding.
- Manage the sport coaches for the performance sport teams. Liaising with them on the programmes performance needs and facilitating these.
- Oversee and manage the ongoing recruitment of high performing student athletes into BCU to study.
Essential Requirements
- Experience of managing a high-performance programme within a higher education setting
- Experience of working with high performing student athletes in a university environment
- Experience and understanding of the needs and requirements of performance support for elite athletes in the associated areas
- Experience and understanding of higher education recruitment processes, procedures, timelines and challenges
- Experience of working with national governing bodies and high performance sports organisations
- Experience of leading a TASS programme and supporting the delivery of the TASS programme within a HE environment
- Experience of recruiting and managing performance support staff in the various associated disciplines
- A valid UK driving license
- A degree in sport related discipline
Desirable Requirements
- Awareness of current trends in university and performance sport
- Understanding of safeguarding, health and safety, and risk management in a student sport setting
- Experience of cross departmental programme development and working within a large organisation
- Hold a TASS recognised TALS qualification
Further Information
If you are excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of BCU Sport, we would love to hear from you.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Philip Llewellyn at Philip.Llewellyn@bcu.ac.uk.
Interviews are scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 15th July, at the Alexander Stadium, Perry Barr, Birmingham.
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The appointed candidate will normally be employed through our subsidiary company, BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University. Appointees with prior LGPS membership who wish to re-enter the scheme may do so and will be employed directly by the University.
Why work for us
- Work–life balance – Generous leave and hybrid working (role dependent).
- Career development – Opportunities to grow, develop and progress your career.
- Reward and wellbeing – Competitive pay, pension, wellbeing support and staff benefits.
- Inclusive culture – A supportive, diverse environment where everyone belongs.
Visa Sponsorship
This role does not meet the minimum salary requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. We are therefore unable to consider applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to an environment that supports lawful free speech and academic freedom. We will continuously review and improve our policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that we are promoting these in all aspects of our operations. We believe that by working together, combining our many different backgrounds and life experiences, we will empower each other to reach our full potential.
Disability Confident Employer
Birmingham City University is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview.
Closing Date: 05 Jul 2026
Department: Admin/Support Service
Salary: £35,331 to £39,002 per annum
Permanent, part-time role for 18.5 hours per week