This role actively contributes to the management and development of Edinburgh University Sports Union's (EUSU) competitive sport programme, including; British University and College Sport (BUCS), Scottish Student Sport (SSS) and EUSU's own Intramural Sport Programme, ensuring a consistent, efficient and effective service to our 70 student-led Sports Clubs.
Main responsibilities
Plan, coordinate, administer and manage the EUSU BUCS programme, which sees students participate in ~1300 fixtures and enter ~1000 competitors across an academic season.
Manage the allocated programme budget resource and work closely with the Sports Coordinator - Transport & Admin, to ensure suitable travel and accommodation has been arranged, as well as operations and bookings colleagues to secure facilities and ensure smooth match/competition day operations.
Work with a network of colleagues from across UK institutions to fulfil the fixture programme each season, with a solutions-based approach which prioritises getting fixtures played, whilst respecting competition regulations.
Provide programme direction, plan, develop and support the Sports Participation Activator and IM members of the Student Executive, to administer and deliver a multi-sport intramural programme (IM), which services ~1900 intramural members, with over ~1200 fixtures being played each year.
Liaise with operations and bookings colleagues to ensure the efficient scheduling and daily operations of ~300 number of club training sessions a week.
Analyse and monitor programme and sector competition trends to refine the programme each year and work closely with the Executive committee, Sports Union President and Head of Sports Development Programmes to help inform the future direction of competitions.
Play your part in EUSU daily operations and support with the delivery of large-scale events. Key contacts / Relationships - EUSU Colleges, Edinburgh Sport Colleagues, EUSU Club Captains, Coaches and Committee members, University of Edinburgh Staff, BUCS Administrators within other Institutions, BUCS and SSS Staff, NGB's, local clubs and facility operators.
Planning & Organising
· Plan and organise one of the largest multisport competitions programmes in the country, ensuring high quality assurance with NGB and BUCS/SSS. Often this will require working with a range of stakeholders (bookings, operations, partners etc.) to planning months ahead to align with the University's academic calendar and secure facilities.
· Organise and prioritise your own workload on a daily, weekly and monthly basis to achieve overall agreed priorities, whilst remaining agile and flexible to be able to positively respond to unexpected events and adjusting priorities as required, in consultation with Interim Head of Sports Development Programmes.
Problem Solving
· Handle day-to-day challenges that arise in collaboration with colleagues in the opposing Institution (taking into account differing academic timetables, conflicting events and availability of match officials/venues) to uphold and assure a full competitive programme under the best conditions for EUSU teams, escalating to SSS and BUCS, as required.
· Assist clubs and other Institutions with competition enquiries, complaints, concerns and feedback, to determine appropriate course of action, whilst maintaining confidentially where required.
· Adopt a flexible and practical approach to competing demands of Clubs and Institutions to meet their requirements.
Decision Making
· Using the agreed resources (inc. financial) allocated to the programme, make daily decisions regarding fixture changes, competition entries and training schedules, to ensure safe, efficient and high-quality programme facilitation.
· Meet regularly with the Interim Head of Sports Development Programmes to agree priorities (daily, weekly, monthly) and to find better ways of working, but plan and prioritise own work activities on a day-to-day basis., The Sports Coordinator - Competitions will work closely with a number of roles across the EUSU and will mentor student leaders. The Sports Coordinator will be based at Pleasance, with the post holder being required to work flexibly to meet service needs.
· Educated to HNC level.
· Educated to degree level. (desireable)
Knowledge & Experience
· Minimum of 3 years sports administration experience (paid or voluntary)
· Experience of planning and organising sports fixtures and administering competition entries.
· Competent IT skills (Office 365 products, MS Teams).
· Understanding of BUCS and SSS Sport structures. (desirable)
· Experience working with students. (desirable)
· Administering sports competitions in higher education setting. (desirable)
· Experience working with and using BUCS Play, Playwaze. (desirable)
· Experience working with and using a leisure management system. (desirable)
· Track record of working with partners and organisations. (desirable)
· Specialist or advanced knowledge of IT packages/systems (inc. Office 365 products).(desirable)
Skills & Attributes
· Ability to take a constructive and co-operative approach to solving problems.
· Innate ability to pay attention to detail and ensure high standards.
· Ability to analyse and interpret data and take appropriate action as a result.
· Ability to work under pressure to meet targets and deadlines.
· Excellent written and oral communication skills.
· Ability to work as part of a team and on your own initiative, without close supervision.
EUSU operates to an annual budget of c £1.2 million. Our people team is made up of 8 FTE University employees, as well as a Sabbatical Student President (whom is elected annually by the student community), several elected student committees and several hundred volunteers, extending to freelance service providers., The University of Edinburgh aims to be a global leader in Sport & Active Wellbeing by 2030, focusing on fostering a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and innovation.
Through collaborative partnerships spanning various departments and stakeholders, the University's sporting achievements are multifaceted, emphasising participation, competitive success, and personal development as key to our success.
Sport at Edinburgh is spear-headed by 3 aligned and uniquely ambitious departments consisting of Sport & Exercise, EU Sports Union and Moray House School of Education & Sport.
Together we welcome more than 1M user visits across our expansive sporting estate, of 5 primary locations.
We aim to showcase the possibility of combining world class degrees, in world class sporting environments, whether you're competing at the highest level or simply staying active with new friends.
The University of Edinburgh offers something for everyone. Sport membership for 24-25 stands at an impressive 16,800 members, with EU Sports Union enjoying a record-breaking Sports Club member base in excess of 8,500 across our 70 student led sports clubs and 170 intramural teams.
Our ambition(s) for 2025-29 are equally motivated and determined, as we look to realise a sizable investment into our sporting estate and programmes.