Sports development officer jobs

The Human Resources Business Partner will lead all aspects of HR across ParalympicsGB and oversee the design, coordination, and delivery of learning and development (L&D) for a workforce of approximately 50 employees.

REPORTS TO: Head of Governance, Planning, and Risk

TYPE OF CONTRACT: 12-Month Fixed Term

SALARY BAND: £54,000 - £60,000 (Pro Rata) dependent on professional qualifications and experience

HOURS OF WORK: Part-Time, 22.5 hours per week (0.6 FTE). Fixed Working Days – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

LOCATION: London (Hybrid arrangements available in line with organisational policy).

This role is central to ensuring that ParalympicsGB maintains a positive, high performing culture, underpinned by effective people management, robust HR processes, and meaningful development opportunities for all staff.

Working three days per week (0.6 FTE), the postholder will act as the organisation’s primary HR contact, providing expert guidance to Directors, Heads of Department and Managers, and ensuring compliance with current UK employment legislation and best practice, supported by continuous professional development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Human Resources Management

· Serve as the first point of contact for all HR matters across the organisation, providing expert advice and support to managers on: employee relations, performance, conduct, absence, wellbeing, family-friendly accommodations (e.g. flexible working requests).

· Manage HR casework as it arises, ensuring timely, fair and legally compliant resolution.

· Ensure compliance with employment law, safeguarding requirements and internal governance standards; appropriately maintaining and updating HR policies, procedures, and employee records.

· Oversee recruitment and onboarding processes, ensuring a positive and inclusive candidate experience.

· Support organisational initiatives related to inclusion, diversity, equality and accessibility.

· Support organisational change as required, ensuring effective communication and engagement throughout.

· Proactively maintain awareness of legislative changes and HR best practice through continuous professional development, sharing implications and recommendations with leadership.

· Line Management of the Recruitment and Corporate Services Officer.

Reward and Job Evaluation

· Understand, evaluate and advise on benefits and reward packages, ensuring they remain competitive, equitable and aligned to organisational values.

· Contribute to job evaluation processes and develop/update job descriptions in line with market expectations and internal consistency.

Performance Framework Administration

· Lead the administration and continuous improvement of ParalympicsGB’s performance management framework.

· Ensure Directors, Heads of Department and Managers conduct regular performance conversations with their teams.

· Provide guidance and training to managers on effective performance management, including standards and tools for high-quality objective setting, mid-year check-ins and year-end reviews.

· Monitor and assure the quality of objectives and performance review conversations, ensuring fairness, consistency and alignment to organisational goals.

· Collect and analyse performance data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.

· Report performance insights and recommendations to senior leadership and inform succession and L&D priorities.

Learning and Development

· Oversee delivery of an annual learning and development programme for all staff in partnership with senior leadership and the Corporate Services team.

· Ensure every employee has an up-to-date individual learning and development plan.

· Identify organisational training needs and coordinate workshops, training sessions, and development opportunities; sourcing appropriate internal or external solutions as needed, supported by the Corporate Services team.

· Evaluate the impact of L&D initiatives and recommend improvements.

People, Culture and Organisational Development

· Contribute to initiatives that strengthen organisational culture, staff engagement and wellbeing.

· Support workforce planning and organisational development projects.

· Promote ParalympicsGB’s values and commitment to a positive, inclusive working environment.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Essential

· A recognised HR qualification (e.g., CIPD Level 5 or above).

· Significant experience in a similar HR Business Partner or HR Business Partner/L&D combined role.

· Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.

· Experience managing employee relations cases with confidence and professionalism.

· Demonstrated ability to design and deliver learning and development programmes.

· Experience administering a performance framework and supporting managers to set high-quality objectives and conduct effective reviews.

Desirable

· Experience working in a charity, sport, or high performance environment.

· Knowledge of safeguarding and wellbeing frameworks.

· Experience supporting organisational culture or change initiatives.

· Expertise in inclusion, diversity, equality and accessibility strategies (policy, training and measurement).

· Experience designing and implementing quality assurance processes for performance management.

· Experience with reward and benefits evaluation, market benchmarking and job evaluation methodologies.

Behavioural Competencies and Qualities

· Excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills.

· Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

· Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.

· Ability to operate with absolute discretion on confidential matters, with an understanding of when to escalate issues as appropriate

· Committed, enthusiastic and motivated

· Willingness and desire to entertain new ideas and seize opportunities

· Willingness to accept and encourage constructive challenges

· A willingness to do what is needed to get the job done

This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of the areas of activity and may be amended from time to time in the light of the changing needs of the organisation through appropriate processes of consultation and the mutual agreement of both parties.

VALUES

ParalympicsGB is an organisation with a unique role and key responsibilities within the UK high performance system. Delivery of our ambitions very much relies on both working in partnership with others, and by focusing on our two strategic priorities: taking the best prepared team to each summer and winter Games and inspiring social change.

As an organisation we are committed to three values: excellence, respect, and integrity. Every ParalympicsGB member is expected to adhere to: 

Excellence

Everything we do reflects our ambition to be world leading. We care deeply about what we do and bring a flexible, positive, and progressive approach to our interactions with others. Like the athletes that we support, we will always challenge ourselves and others to do better. 

Respect

Our relationships with each other, our partners and the wider community are based on respect, trust, and a deep-seated belief in diversity, inclusion, and the value of our differences.

Integrity 

We demand the highest standards from ourselves and others, seeking always to do the right thing and to engage with openness and transparency in all that we do. 

The Role

This is a pivotal new role at SUSU, leading the operational delivery of our vibrant student spaces across our three buildings on Highfield Campus. As Head of Operations, you’ll ensure our facilities are safe, compliant, well-maintained, and consistently deliver excellent service.

You’ll oversee room bookings and reception, technical event support, transport operations, and sustainability initiatives, keeping services running smoothly across a busy and diverse programme of over 1,500 bookings each year.

As SUSU’s lead competent person for Health & Safety, you’ll champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance across all activities, working closely with University stakeholders, contractors, and internal teams to drive continuous improvement.

No two days are the same — this is a fantastic opportunity to shape and enhance the student experience at scale.

About You

• Significant experience in soft facilities or operational management, including contracts and service delivery
• A recognised Health & Safety qualification, with strong experience in compliance and risk management
• Proven track record of leading teams in fast-paced, complex environments
• A confident communicator and problem-solver, able to build strong stakeholder relationships
• Highly organised and analytical, with the ability to balance strategic planning and hands-on delivery

About Us
We are the University of Southampton Students' Union (SUSU) – independent from the University and run by students, for students. Our vision is simple:  SUSU is here to enrich the life of every student. We are a workplace that’s buzzing with life, ideas, and opportunities – where your work directly shapes the student experience. 

As part of our team, you'll enjoy:

• Salary of £43,337 to £47,325
• Generous paid holiday - 30 days per year, plus eight closure days (around Easter, August and Christmas) on top of eight bank holidays (and an opportunity to purchase up to an additional week of holiday). 
• Great pension – we contribute 10% into your defined contributions pension scheme. 
• Travel perks – discounted UniLink and Blue Star bus passes, a Cycle-to-Work scheme. 

To find out more, visit our website.

Apply Now
You can easily apply using your CV and covering letter by clicking on Apply Now.

For further information prior to submitting your application, please find the relevant contact details within the advert posted on our website.

Closing Date: 19 April 2026

Interview Date: 5 May 2026

Please note feedback will not be provided if you are not shortlisted for interview.   

SUSU is an equal opportunities employer that values a diverse workforce and we want to reflect the student body that we represent. We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination and will ensure that our recruitment activities are mindful of equality and diversity matters.