Switch the Play are hiring an Operations Manager!

Posted on: 03 July 2019 by Emily Lake

Job Title: Operations Manager

Organisation: Switch the Play (CIC)

Salary: £19, 200 – £25, 000 per annum

Hours of work – 37.5 hours per week

Holidays – 28 days per annum, including Bank Holidays

Location: Home based but with the expectation that the role will involve travelling around the UK.

Full- time employment

Closing date: 20/07/2019

Purpose of the Job:

The purpose of the role is to help coordinate a range of services that will support current and former athletes to prepare, plan and manage their successful transition to life outside of sport.

The role forms an important part of the development of Switch the Play CIC, a social enterprise that was established with the mission of helping current and former athletes to fulfil their potential through and beyond sport. We are passionate about developing athletes outside of sport and we work with governing bodies, leagues, player unions, clubs, and athletes themselves to support, educate and develop athletes off the sporting arena helping them prepare, plan and manage their successful transition.

As part of the role, as a business Switch the Play are including a commitment to invest in a personalised and appropriate learning and development package which will provide the opportunity for the post-holder to acquire additional knowledge and skills required for the role. Further details will be discussed with the successful applicant.

The role would provide an excellent career development opportunity for a transitioning athlete. We are committed to supporting the career development for current/former athletes so would encourage current/former athletes to apply.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities:

1. Athlete Membership Services including:

• Managing the customer journey process to ensure a personalised, bespoke and tailored offer to members;
• Production of guides and resources to support members;
• Coordinating relevant content and opportunities to share with members;
• Managing communications and engagement with members.

2. Marketing and Communication

• Manage the relationship with the organisations Marketing and Communications partner, to include weekly calls and priority setting / reporting.
• Working with stakeholders to support the creation of newsletters, blogs, wakes & Vlogs
• Content management responsibility for the website.

3. Athlete Services, including logistics and operations:

• Monitoring and ensuring accordance with our internal Minimum Operating Standard
• Publicising/Promoting Masterclasses
• Support in scheduling, venue logistics, booking systems and processes
• Working with Associates to organise and schedule training
• Training Evaluation process.

4. Project Management including:

• Identifying, scoping and researching potential projects;
• Supporting the CEO and Directors with the delivery of existing contracts and projects

5. Customer Relationship Management systems including:

• Managing a database of contacts, ensuring ongoing compliance with GDPR
• Managing business development tracking systems.

6. Managing relationships including:

• Regular communications and engagement with Associates and Supporters of Switch the Play
• Supporting Directors with external facing stakeholder relationships.

7. Event Management including:

• Maintain a calendar of events and activity to support forward planning – internal and external and sporting.
• To assist / lead or manage the logistics of networking events, promotional events, conferences, meetings and exhibitions.

8. Board and Director meetings support including:

• Preparation and coordination, meeting agendas, minutes and action notes.
• Director support

9. Research and Insight tasks including:

• Helping to create a central home for all insight related to athlete transition
• Specific research tasks as identified.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The job holder may be required to complete any other reasonable duties in order to achieve business objectives.

Key Relationships:

• Switch the Play Directors
• Clients
• Switch the Play Associates
• Current and former athletes.
• Affinity partners

Experience:

We are ideally seeking a candidate with relevant work experience and professional practice in environments such as project and operations management; education and training; sports performance. Qualifications and prior academic achievements are also recognised as important and will help define the programme of learning and development (see below).

The following are essential elements of the role:

Experience of an elite sporting environment in Olympic/Paralympic sports and/or professional sport;
Experience in managing projects;
Marketing and Communication experience, including social media engagement;
Content management on websites;
Experience in Customer Relationship Management systems;
Experience of working on or managing events;
The development of training materials and services.
The following are desirable elements of the role:

Strong knowledge of sport policy and structures in the UK;
Business development experience.Skills:
Interpersonal skills, with the confidence to deal with people at all levels both internally and externally
Outgoing and confident, with great verbal and written communication skills
Flexible, resilient and self-motivated, whilst also a good team player
Able to manage and prioritise a busy workload with excellent organisation and planning skills and attention to detail
IT literate, and fully conversant with Microsoft Office
Positive and proactive approach and attitude, using initiative to get things done
Strong project management and analytical skills.

Training and development

For the selected candidate, Switch the Play CIC commit to organising a programme of learning tailored towards both the candidates and organisational needs. This will be tailored according to the individual and may follow a Project Management; Operations Manager; or Management Consultant pathway – dependent on previous experience and preferred professional experience.

How to Apply:

We are encouraging potential applicants to consider submitting their application via Wakelet, although we will also accept a CV and covering letter submitted via email (emily@switchtheplay.com) before the closing date. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact emily@switchtheplay.com to speak to a member of the team.