Organisation Glasgow 2026 Salary Competitive- Available on Request Location Glasgow Contract type Fixed Term (Full time) Closing date 29 June 2025 Interview date 15 July 2025 Job Description Help Us Shape the Future of the Commonwealth Games – Glasgow 2026!
The journey to Glasgow 2026 starts now – and we want YOU to be part of it! Get ready for a brilliant new era for the Commonwealth Games, blending world-class sport with a sustainable, future-focused vision.
In just over 400 days, Glasgow will transform into a global hub for sport and culture, welcoming 3,000 athletes from 74 nations, across 11 days of unforgettable action, fuelled by the city’s unstoppable energy and passion.
Glasgow 2026 is set to revolutionise the Games, with a bold, ‘Clyde Built’ experience that reflects the city’s resilience and innovation. This is more than just an event; it’s a movement – a celebration of unity, equality, and sporting excellence. A movement that will not only deliver a world-class sporting experience but will also create a lasting legacy, maximising social and economic benefits for the city and the Commonwealth. Don’t miss your chance to be part of something historic!
If you have a passion for sport and a drive for excellence and want to be part of creating something truly special, then Glasgow 2026 wants you.
The Role
We have an exciting opportunity for a Sport Competition Manager – Athletics to join our Sport team at Glasgow 2026. This is your chance to take the lead on one of the most high-profile events of the Games and help deliver world-class competition environments for athletes and teams from across the Commonwealth.
As Sport Competition Manager – Athletics and Para Athletics, you’ll be responsible for the full planning and delivery of these integrated competitions, ensuring every aspect meets the technical standards of World Athletics and World Para Athletics. From Field of Play design and venue readiness to workforce coordination and stakeholder engagement, your leadership will ensure athletes, officials, and support teams are able to perform at their best.
This role sits at the heart of a collaborative and cross-functional operation. You’ll manage a dedicated team and coordinate with internal functions including Venue Operations, Logistics, Technology, and Workforce to deliver competition and training environments that are safe, accessible, and athlete-first. You’ll also play a critical role in building strong relationships with International Federations, National Governing Bodies, and other delivery partners to ensure alignment and operational readiness.
Job Summary:
As Sport Competition Manager – Athletics and Para Athletics, you will lead the strategic and operational planning of the integrated competitions at Glasgow 2026, ensuring they are delivered in accordance with the regulations and technical standards of World Athletics and World Para Athletics, and in line with the protocols of Commonwealth Sport.
You will be responsible for the development and implementation of the sport-specific delivery plan, including venue and Field of Play design, scheduling, equipment provision, and workforce coordination. Working closely with internal Functional Areas, you’ll provide expert input into infrastructure and overlay requirements, while ensuring competition and training venues meet all performance, safety, and accessibility standards.
You’ll coordinate the delivery of timing, scoring, and results systems in partnership with the Technology team, and support the development of key publications and operational documents including sport manuals and the Detailed Competition and Activity Schedule (DCAS). A core part of your role will involve stakeholder management, including IF site visits, technical briefings, and collaboration with NGBs and CGAs.
You will also lead the recruitment, training, and deployment of a large volunteer workforce, and manage a small internal team, including Sport Coordinator(s) and Technical Operations Manager(s). In addition to day-to-day delivery responsibilities, you will contribute to Games-wide readiness and legacy planning, ensuring Glasgow 2026 upholds its commitment to sustainability, accessibility, safety, and athlete-centred delivery.
Key Skills and Experience:
The successful candidate will bring proven experience delivering Athletics and/or Para Athletics competition operations at a national or international level, with a thorough understanding of the rules, formats, and technical requirements of World Athletics and World Para Athletics. You will have a strong background in major sporting events or multi-sport Games, with excellent operational planning and stakeholder engagement skills.
You will be an effective leader, capable of managing cross-functional teams, including volunteers, and overseeing complex competition environments. Strong communication, influencing, and interpersonal skills are essential, especially in building relationships with International Federations, NGBs, and CGAs. You should also have robust project management experience, including milestone tracking, risk identification, and integration with organisational delivery plans.
Confidence in managing multiple priorities in fast-paced environments, and proficiency in Microsoft Office and competition-specific systems, are also required.
Experience working within a Commonwealth, Olympic, or multi-sport Games context is desirable, as is an understanding of Para sport delivery, including classification and competition integration. Familiarity with Glasgow 2026’s mission, legacy aspirations, and operational structures will be beneficial, as will knowledge of Games-time scheduling and overlay frameworks.
Why Glasgow 2026?
Joining the Glasgow 2026 team means being part of something extraordinary. As we embark on this exciting journey, we’re not just planning an event – we’re creating a new legacy for Glasgow and the Commonwealth. This is an opportunity to shape the future of major sporting events, bringing the world together for 11 days of unforgettable competition and culture.
We’re looking for well-organised, passionate, and driven people who are excited to roll up their sleeves and be part of an inclusive, forward-thinking, and sustainable Games. This is your chance to help set the new standard for global events while contributing to the city’s rich sporting legacy.