What can I do with a Sport Management degree?
In a field as competitive as sport management, having a relevant degree can open doors to a host of opportunities across a variety of areas – from marketing and PR to finance and operations.
In this blog, we highlight five fascinating sport business careers and their corresponding salaries, as well as how masters programmes like our online MSc Sport Business, Management and Policy could help you land your dream role.
Read on to discover the typical responsibilities, competencies and characteristics of professionals in these roles and see if any could be right for you.
5 jobs in sport management
1. Sports marketer
Sports marketers plan, execute and track the performance of marketing campaigns to promote a particular team, league or sports-related product. These campaigns are typically rolled out across various online and offline channels including TV, radio and social media.
Sports marketers can also have a B2B (business-to-business) remit, meaning they could be involved in attracting corporate sponsors through marketing activities too.
The most successful and highly prized sports marketers typically have a mix of creative and analytical skills. In addition to generating fresh and engaging ideas, they must also be comfortable tracking and interpreting data to inform marketing strategies.
Importantly, sports marketers must also keep their finger on the pulse of the industry, capitalising on growing trends and emerging channels to reach new fans and boost engagement with their brand.
Sport management salary: The average annual salary for a sports marketing manager in the UK is £46,660 (Glassdoor, August 2022).
2. Event manager
Event managers and co-ordinators are responsible for organising sporting events – from games, matches and tournaments to fundraisers and award ceremonies. These can be small in scale, right up to mega-budget productions like the Olympics.
Sport event managers must plan and handle the various operational aspects of each event to ensure it runs smoothly, including timings, staffing requirements, safety, venue logistics, catering and parking. However, they are also tasked with creating memorable and meaningful experiences for attendees and viewers and must therefore bring creative ideas to the table and a real passion for the sport they work within.
Sporting events can be extremely complex, throwing up various challenges for event managers to overcome. For those with impeccable problem-solving, planning and communication skills, this could be a hugely rewarding sport management career to pursue.
Sport management salary: The average annual salary for a sports event manager in the UK is £34,754 (Glassdoor, August 2022).
3. Facilities operations manager
A facilities operations manager oversees all activities relating to the smooth running of a sporting venue – from a local leisure centre to a large stadium or arena.
Their responsibilities include recruiting and managing staff, leasing the venue, co-ordinating construction projects, budget management, implementing ticketing systems and ensuring adherence to safety protocols.
As an operational role spanning multiple different areas, this profession would suit an organised individual looking for lots of variety in their day-to-day. As a managerial role, facilities operations managers also need strong management skills and an effective leadership style to ensure all venue staff and contractors contribute to organisational goals and deliver a positive experience for visitors of the facility.
Sport management salary: The average annual salary for a facilities operations manager in the UK is £41,346 (Glassdoor, August 2022).
4. Policy manager
A policy manager is concerned with developing goals and guidelines for sporting organisations that support strategic objectives, promote fair practices within the industry, and bring about positive change for society. Policies might relate to doping in professional sport, financial management, crowd control and child safeguarding – to name just a few examples.
As a policy manager, you could work within local or national government, for think-tanks or charities, or within a private organisation like a sports club. The role typically requires research and consultation with various stakeholders to inform policymaking, writing up policies, and/or presenting these to senior decision-makers. Keeping up to speed with social, political and economic developments that impact sport is essential for success in the role.
Sport management salary: The average annual salary for a policy manager in the UK is £48,255 (Glassdoor, August 2022).
5. Performance analyst
A sports performance analyst is responsible for monitoring and recording the athletic performance of teams and using data insights to suggest optimisations for individual players’ performances or team tactics.
Professional sports teams and players rely on the technical expertise of sports performance analysts to help them gain a competitive advantage over their opponents and secure more wins.
Unsurprisingly, the role requires data analysis skills, generally backed up with an undergraduate degree in performance analysis, sports science or data science. Analysts also need a robust technical and tactical understanding of the sport they specialise in and stellar interpersonal skills as they are required to work closely and communicate regularly with players, coaches and club directors to influence strategic approach.
Sport management salary: The average annual salary for a performance analyst in the UK is £36,099 (Glassdoor, August 2022).
What can I do with a masters in sport management?
If you have your sights set on one of these five top jobs in sport management – or any role in the field – a masters in sport management can equip you with the specific skills and insights that can open doors and give you a leg up on the career ladder.
Developed by leading academics in consultation with sports bodies including Sport England and the Football Foundation, our online MSc Sport Business, Management and Policy has a broad curriculum covering sports marketing, event management, policy, data analysis and more.
Its comprehensive scope ensures graduates walk away with a solid grounding in all aspects of the industry that will give their CV stand-out.
Designed with professionals in mind, the online and part-time nature of the course offers the chance to earn a masters alongside existing work commitments, and to meet and network with sports professionals enrolling from around the world.
Ready to transform your career? Find out more about our online Sport Management masters today.
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