Sports Director
Salary £ 75,000 (more may be possible for exceptional candidates)
Birmingham
Vacancy listed 29/07/2025
Application deadline 31/08/2025
Details
Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 – Sports Director 

Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 is a charity and delivery organisation for the 2027 Invictus Games at the NEC Birmingham; with a comprehensive strategic and collaborative programme of impact & legacy activities rolled out from summer 2025. 

Our Games will bring together around 550 Wounded, Injured and Sick Serving Personnel, Veterans and families from 25+ Nations; supporting their recovery journeys and celebrating resilience, community and the unconquered human spirit. 

Job Description 

The Sports Director, under the direction of the CEO and in close collaboration with the Director’s team (including the Operations Director), is responsible for the overall planning, management and successful delivery of the competitive sport programme for the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027. This includes ensuring that the sporting requirements and technical service levels set by the Invictus Games Foundation are met, and that all key relationships with National Governing Bodies or their delegated representatives, and sporting venues, are managed effectively. The Invictus Games Birmingham will implement a new delivery model, and the Sports Director will be required to take an efficient and innovative approach to sports event delivery. 

We are looking for an exceptional individual who has significant experience in the planning and delivery of major international multi-sport events. Knowledge of delivering adaptive and para-sport events would also be highly desirable. At Invictus Games Birmingham, we put the Invictus participants (and their friends and families) at the heart of everything we do, so a passion for the Invictus movement and a deep understanding of the specific requirements of Invictus participants in a sporting context is really important. 

Key Responsibilities 

Leadership 

  • Recruit, lead and manage the sports team. 
  • Oversee all key functional areas related to the sport programme, including sport competition management, sport presentation, sport technical services, competitor services, sport specific equipment, results and data management. 
  • Drive integration between the sport functional areas, other Games functional areas (e.g., Operations, Medical, Accommodation, Transport), host venues, and key suppliers. 
 

Stakeholder Management 

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key sporting stakeholders including the Invictus Games Foundation, National Governing Bodies, sport technical delegates, and host venues. 
  • Provide reporting and strategic guidance to the CEO and Board on all aspects of sport planning and delivery. 

Sport Planning and Delivery 

  • Oversee the strategic planning and tactical Games time delivery of the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 sport programme, covering all competition and training venues and resources. 
  • Develop initial sport competition schedules, venue sport operational plans, and sport-specific policies and procedures where the LOC, rather than IGF, have the lead. 
  • Oversee the finalisation of detailed sport plans by functional area leads, ensuring these meet agreed service levels and timelines, and integrate across all operational areas. 
  • Review and build out budgets for key sport functional areas, driving value for money and operational excellence. 
  • Review and finalise the resourcing plan for the Sports team, including volunteers. 
  • Oversee the management of key contracts for sport equipment, sport services, and venue sport overlay. 
  • Ensure that all sport plans incorporate a world-class approach to accessibility and place the Invictus participants at the heart of sport planning and delivery. 
  • Manage the budget for the sports team, providing reporting to the Finance Director and CEO as required. 
  • Manage the sport-specific event risk register, identifying, managing and escalating risks in line with the overall risk management policy. 
  • Ensure compliance with all Invictus Games Foundation sporting rules, regulations, and technical requirements. 

Profile 

We are looking for an exceptional individual who has significant experience in the planning and delivery of major international multi-sport events. Experience of delivering adaptive and/or para-sport events and a deep understanding of the specific needs of Invictus participants in a sporting context would also be highly desirable. 

  • Recent experience of delivering major international multi-sport events safely, on time, and on budget. 
  • In-depth knowledge of sport operational best practices and safety standards for international sporting events, especially those involving adaptive and / or para-sport. 
  • Proven experience in a senior sports management position within an event organising committee. 
  • A track record in managing and motivating cross-functional sport teams, including staff and volunteers. 
  • Flexible and innovative approach to sport operations – experience in working across several sport technical areas. 
  • Experience of working in smaller organising committees and / or event delivery agencies and of driving efficiencies in sport delivery. 
  • Strategic decision maker with a proven ability to lead complex sport projects. 
  • Experience of building relationships with senior stakeholders, including National Governing Bodies, and reporting to / advising Boards. 
  • Experience of developing, managing and reporting on large sport event operational budgets. Previously responsible and accountable for delivering within agreed sport budgets and a track record of driving efficiency and cost control. 
  • Significant experience of managing high value contracts with sport equipment suppliers and technical service providers, driving compliance with timelines and ensuring cost control. 
  • A deep understanding of the technical, logistical, and accessibility considerations required to deliver a successful para-sport event. 
  • Ability to manage and resolve unforeseen issues quickly and in a calm manner within a dynamic event environment. 
  • A passion for the Invictus Games movement, sport, and event delivery. 
Benefits

Pension, flexible working,

Notes

Please upload your CV and covering letter showing how you meet the role profile on the next page

The role offers hybrid working conditions, with a significant amount of time required
in Birmingham, particularly in the 12 months before the Games.

apply