Director of Sport, Academies & Commercial Innovation

Oaklands College

  • St Albans
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 10 days ago
Ready to shape the future of sports and commerciality at Oaklands?We’re looking for a forward-thinking Director of Sport, Academies & Commercial Innovation to join our management team at Oaklands College. This is a rare opportunity to lead the growth of our sports academies, drive commercial development and establish our Institute of Sport as a centre of excellence both here in the UK and internationally.Oaklands has been providing transformational education for over 100 years. We’re proud of our heritage but even more excited about the future. Our sports and commercial provision is already strong and we now want to take it to the next level by building stronger academies, creating new income streams, and developing world-class facilities that inspire learners and communities.Your Day To Day Impact:
  • Strategic Vision – Define and drive the long-term direction for sports academies, commercial growth, and the Institute of Sport, representing the College with authority on national and international platforms.
  • Commercial Growth – Unlock new revenue streams through smart use of facilities, strategic partnerships, and community engagement, supported by sound pricing and operational models.
  • Academy & Institute Leadership – Oversee the Oaklands Institute for Sport and academies, ensuring excellence in teaching, coaching, and performance while growing participation, sponsorship, and the Wolves brand.
  • Partnerships & Stakeholders – Develop high-value relationships with NGBs, employers, sponsors and international partners. Establish a High-Performance Centre and act as senior liaison with employers and sponsors to strengthen performance and progression.
  • Operational Excellence – Ensure smooth day-to-day running of facilities with full compliance, safeguarding, and service standards, supported by clear performance monitoring.
  • Team Leadership – Lead and develop a diverse team, fostering professional growth, accountability, and a culture built on collaboration and innovation.
  • Profile & Marketing – Strengthen recruitment and commercial reach through impactful campaigns, events, and outreach while enhancing the College’s sporting reputation across all levels.
  • Innovation & Expansion – Deliver new facilities and programmes that embrace technology, data, and external funding to secure long-term growth and sustainability.
Is This You?Step into a role where your vision and leadership will shape the future of our sports academies, commercial operations, and Institute of Sport. Every day you will identify opportunities for growth, cultivate meaningful partnerships and secure sponsorship and investment that drives both revenue and programme development. You will see your strategies come to life as your expertise in business planning and financial management coinciding with athlete pathway design delivers real success across commercial and sporting areas. You will lead diverse teams, manage complex projects, and make data-driven decisions that ensure operational excellence and elevate performance outcomes.In this role, you will inspire students, staff, coaches, and athletes, nurturing talent and creating a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement. You will apply your commercial insight partnered with strategic thinking and innovation to enhance performance and expand our reach. By demonstrating your resilience, adaptability and professional credibility, will allow you to leave a lasting legacy and see the impact of your work every day.You will thrive as a visionary and ambitious leader with a growth mindset and drive for innovation. You will feel the excitement of shaping strategic direction, making critical decisions and seeing your ideas come alive in a fast-paced and changing environment. Guided by integrity, decisive judgment, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, you will lead initiatives that reflect your genuine passion for sport, education and widening participation across communities, ensuring your influence extends well beyond the organisation; in this role, your leadership will not only deliver success but inspire it at every level.Qualifications & Training
Essential:
  • Degree or professional qualification in Sport, Business, Education, or a related field
  • Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD)
Desirable:
  • Postgraduate qualification (MBA, MSc in Sport Management, Education Leadership)
  • Coaching, performance analysis, or commercial sport accreditation
Why Oaklands?At Oaklands, you’ll join a forward-thinking college that genuinely invests in its people. We offer:
  • Local Government Pension Scheme with excellent employer contributions
  • Generous Annual Leave entitlement
  • Discount on UNO bus scheme
  • Continuous Professional Development (CPD) – Including free adult learning courses
  • Long Service Awards
  • Free onsite gym and discounted wellness treatments
  • Cycle to Work Scheme and discounted travel
  • Staff development days and annual awards to celebrate your achievements
  • Mental health and wellbeing support
  • Microsoft Office Software (free to download on personal devices)
  • Discounted / Free local events hosted at Oaklands Foodies festival Lambing weekend Oaklands Zoo
Most importantly, you’ll have the chance to make your mark — creating opportunities for learners, shaping the future of sport at Oaklands, and building something that lasts.Apply nowWe review applications on a rolling basis and may close the advert early if we receive high interest — so don’t wait too long to apply.Oaklands is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults.Want to know more about Oaklands College?

Oaklands College