_{30th October, 2026}

Sports Academy Operations Manager
Location: Northamptonshire
Salary: £40,300–£43,200 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week, with occasional evening and weekend working
Contract: Fixed term

Help student-athletes succeed in their sport and their studies.

Think FE is recruiting a Sports Academy Operations Manager for a college in Northamptonshire. You’ll oversee the academy’s day-to-day operations, manage staff and coaches, and coordinate programmes that give students the support they need to progress.

This would suit an experienced academy manager, sports programme manager or senior academy coordinator ready to take on wider responsibility.

The role
You’ll bring together the people, timetables and resources needed to run an effective sports academy. Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing academy staff and subcontracted coaches.
• Coordinating students’ academic and sporting commitments.
• Developing partnerships with sports organisations.
• Supporting student-athlete recruitment, retention and progression.
• Using performance data and video analysis to monitor development.
• Supporting budgets and resource planning.
• Overseeing safeguarding and student conduct within the academy.
• Delivering up to 7.5 teaching hours per week, plus cover when required.

  
What you’ll bring

• A relevant degree or equivalent qualification.
• Experience in sports operations, academy coordination or programme management.
• Experience leading staff or coaches and supporting athlete development.
• Knowledge of performance and video analysis systems.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to balance sporting and academic priorities.
• An understanding of safeguarding and supporting young people.
• GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or equivalent.

Experience within a college, university or professional sports academy would be particularly relevant.
  
Next steps
Once you've applied, one of our friendly further education consultants will give you a call to discuss this opportunity. The college will move quickly for the right applicant, and they have a simple and concise interview process. Think FE Ltd. are acting as an employment business for this position. Working for/with Think FE Ltd. is subject to agreement to our Terms and Conditions.

Data Policy
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