Performance Sports Manager (Maternity Cover)

Closing date: 25 August 2026 • Full-time • Edinburgh, Scotland

About the role

The Performance Manager will lead the Performance Department to ensure high quality delivery across all services with a high duty of care to athletes. They will be responsible for the overall running of the department, delivery of financial and performance targets, maximising the staff team, and creating/maintaining a positive multi-disciplinary team culture.

About the team

Oriam has a vision to inspire, engage and motivate communities through the facilities provided and customer interactions. As a manager within the team, you will contribute to the delivery of this strategy.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the operation of all sports scholarships (squash, football, handball & multi-sport scholars).
• Directly line manage department staff, including Lead Sport Scientist, Squash Head Coach, Football Head Coach, and Athlete Lifestyle & Performance Coordinator.
• Oversee the full staff team and ensure they operate as a high-performing multi-disciplinary team.
• Coordinate external and academic service contracts.
• Plan and deliver sport science services including education workshops, testing, gym-based S&C sessions, conditioning-based sessions, rehab-based sessions, and recovery sessions.
• Oversee and deliver services to the Sport & Exercise Science academic programme, such as applied teaching, placements, and dissertation co-supervision.
• Manage all health & safety and compliance within the Performance Sport department.
• Oversee department finances, meeting agreed commercial targets, managing payroll and overheads, and staying within the scholarship budget.
• Contribute to Sport & Health testing and ensure collaboration with Oriam Clinic.
• Contribute to the wider sport and active well-being strategy at Heriot-Watt.
• Lead on performance education targeted at scholars and wider audiences.

Requirements

• Educated to degree level in Sport Science at undergraduate level.
• Experience providing a range of sports science services for athletes within a similar performance environment for at least 5 years.
• Ability to coach, motivate, assess, and manage a team, including setting team and individual objectives.
• Experience working within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrable professional and proactive approach.
• Ability to develop relationships with a range of stakeholders and clients.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, influencing, and presentation skills.
• High-level organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and function effectively in a time-pressured or agile environment.
• Competent in the use of relevant IT packages.
• Demonstrable excellent customer service.

Desirable Qualifications

• UKSCA Accredited (or able to complete within the first 6 months).
• Educated to master’s level in a relevant discipline.
• Experience developing new business or business retention.
• Experience delivering physiological tests.

Pay

£37,694 - £47,389 per annum (Grade 7).

Schedule

Full-time (35 hours per week) for one year (maternity cover).

Benefits

33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings-closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday).