The ultimate guide for graduates in choosing your ideal career in the sports management industry.
Every industry needs leaders, and sport is no different. while the leaders on the pitch might dominate the headlines, it’s the personnel behind the scenes and off the pitch that help make an organisation tick…
Chief executive
The chief executive is the boss. No one sits above them – apart from maybe shareholders. You’re the public face of the organisation, the figurehead staff look up to and the who should be setting the example for others to follow. The CEO will be heavily involved in the finances of the business and will have great man-management skills to manage the people below them to run the various departments. Having a good idea and oversight of the wider business is essential, and you must be assured in all of your decisions.
Chief executive degrees
BA (Hons) Football Business & Finance
BA (Hons) International Football Business
BA (Hons) Sports Business & Sports Law
MSc Football Business (Online)
MSc International Sport Management
Brand manager
Sports teams are some of the most lucrative and recognisable brands in the world. The Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League, the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball and Manchester United in the Premier League are listed by Forbes as the three most valuable brands in world sport, with a combined worth of over $10 billion. Then, of course, there are the likes of Adidas, Nike and Under Armour. The brand manager is responsible for the image of the brand, will know the marketplace it belongs in like the back of their hand oversee everything from the website to printed materials and to television adverts. You’ll be creative, full of ideas and be a great communicator – building relationships internally and externally are vital to the role.
Brand manager degrees
BA (Hons) Football Business & Media
BA (Hons) Football Business & Marketing
BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism
BA (Hons) International Football Business
MSc International Sport Management
MSc International Sport Management (Online)
MSc Football Communications & Digital Marketing
MSc Football Business (Online)
Chief financial officer
Sports club and organisations have hundreds of income streams, all of which need to be assessed, measured and streamlined. Then there’s the millions of pounds leaving the company accounts on a yearly basis that need monitoring, not to mention the staff that need paying – players, coaches, stewards, the media team. As the CFO, you’re are in charge of every penny coming in and going out of the business. If the team manager wants £10 million for a new striker, chances are you’ll be the one signing the cheque.
Chief financial officer degrees
BA (Hons) Football Business & Finance
BA (Hons) Football Business & Marketing
BA (Hons) International Football Business
MSc International Sport Management
MSc International Sport Management (Online)
Football Finance: its role in successful & sustainable clubs
Commercial manager
Where a CFO might sign the cheques and have the overall decision of business finance, a commercial manager will lead teams into negotiations with sponsors and external partners to best increase the money coming into the organisation. You will award new contracts and renegotiate deals, as well as explore future opportunities for the business.
Commercial manager degrees
BA (Hons) Football Business & Marketing
BA (Hons) International Football Business
MSc Football Communications & Digital Marketing
MSc International Sport Management
Athlete representative
Athlete representatives- or agents - now play a massive role in professional sport. From dealing with a player’s contract negotiation, through to finalising their new boot deal. Agents might concentrate on one client, or run their own business with a number of clients. Either way, every player has one. Read more on how to become a football agent.
Athlete representative degrees
BA (Hons) Sports Business & Sports Law
BA (Hons) Football Business & Marketing
BA (Hons) International Football Business
MSc International Sport Management
MSc International Sport Management (Online)
Sporting Director
Widely regarded as one of the most important roles in modern global sport, the Sporting Director is responsible for an array of areas across sports organisations at both sporting and business level. As one of the organisation's key figures, you will be required to oversee areas ranging from negotiating and securing new sponsorship deals, to recruiting and signing new players.
