Director of Sport & Physical Activity Ref: 007827

The holder has specific job contact with:

Vice-President for the Student Experience

Director of Student Services

Director of Physical Resources

Sports Staff

Staff of Student Services

Sports Clubs committees and members

Elite Athletes

Sport Policy makers Nationally

Sports organisations & National Governing Bodies of Sport

Commercial Bodies regarding Sponsorship

Director of Student Research and Outreach

Press Office

• 
  Academic Administration and Leadership
  
• 
  Galway University Foundation
  
• 
  Directors of Sport in other institutions nationally and internationally
  

1. 
   Responsible for the strategic leadership and management of sport and physical activity in the University, in particular the post holder will be responsible for developing a sustainable funding stream for sport
   
2. 
   Will lead in the development of partnerships with colleagues, students, and external stakeholders, which are conducive to the effective realisation of the University’s strategic aspirations in relation to student sport, health and wellbeing.
   
3. 
   Will provide the leadership required to develop the infrastructure necessary for the all sports including the new water-sports centre
   

1. 
   To review, lead and implement the integrated and strategic development of sport and physical activity in the University.
   
2. 
   To develop a sustainable business model for sport and physical activity in the university including the exploitation of potential commercial opportunities
   
3. 
   To work closely with the Director of Student Services in the implementation of the University’s strategic plan with reference to the student experience
   
4. 
   To provide input, as required, into the financial and commercial activities of the Student Services area
   
5. 
   To work with the University’s Student Recruitment function to maximise student recruitment
   

1. 
   To develop and maintain an organisational structure capable of delivering the University sports strategy which will include developing clear roles and responsibilities for sports staff, building the capacities of staff, managing performance and ensuring safe practices.
   
2. 
   To prepare, monitor and control the annual Sports budget to ensure costs are in line with the agreed business plan.
   
3. 
   To nurture a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship with the Buildings and Estates Office which has responsibility for the development, management and maintenance of buildings, grounds and sports pitches. This will include sharing information and integrating sports strategy and timetabling with grounds development and pitch maintenance operations in the interests of achieving quality and long term sustainability of all sports facilities.
   

1. 
   To build relationships with the national and local sport’s governing bodies, across the higher education sector and other organisations in order to further the development of sport and profile of NUI Galway locally, nationally and globally
   
2. 
   To effectively represent the interests of the university with major stakeholders including: government, companies; funding authorities and the local community, to ensure goodwill towards the University and co-operation for further developments in sport.
   
3. 
   In cooperation with the Student Clubs to increase participation of University students in sporting activities at intra mural, extra mural and elite levels.
   
4. 
   To identify, support and foster a number of elite sports within the university.
   
5. 
   To foster and support individual elite sportspersons in the University.
   
6. 
   To review the operation of the University Sports Centre to ensure appropriate development and usage of the centre by the student body
   
7. 
   To develop, in association with the Buildings Office, the required facilities and infrastructure to support the development of sport in the University.
   
8. 
   To promote NUI Galway sport in collaboration with University press and relations, including the preparation of press releases and the arrangement of media coverage for sport events, and ensure that the appropriate media is informed of the results of all sporting events
   
9. 
   The Director will also work in partnership with relevant stakeholders to ensure NUI Galway sport and physical activity is beneficial to outside user groups as well as individual students.
   
10. 
    To examine and propose possible links between the sports activities and academic programmes.
    
11. 
    Any other duties as may be required.
    

Candidates must hold a university degree or equivalent qualification coupled with ten years’ experience which includes:-

• 
  Developing and implementing sports strategies;
  
• 
  Developing and implementing sustainable funding models; and
  
• 
  A demonstrable record of leadership at a national or international level in the sports area.