Sports Operations Assistant (inc Lifeguarding)

The University of Portsmouth is a global employer of choice where exceptional people create, share and apply knowledge that makes a difference.

Experience the pride of being part of a select group – one of only four universities in the south-east of England to achieve a prestigious Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework. Additionally, we proudly rank among the top 140 universities globally in the Times Higher Young University World Rankings.

Ambition, Responsibility and Openness drive our every endeavour. Join our esteemed institution with a proven track record of success, and where dedication to excellence is key. We want people to make their mark in a professional community that truly values people, innovation, and achievement.

The Role

As part of the Sports Operations Team you will help ensure that the indoor and outdoor sports facilities environment is safe for use and that a high level of customer service is maintained at all times. Alongside your responsibility for lifeguarding (providing immediate first aid / water rescue when required), you will help ensure sport areas ready for activity (including moving equipment safely), wider first aid provision and equipment cleaning; providing a high quality and friendly customer experience. There will also be a requirement for you to cover other operational tasks, as required

The role will be required to have operational sports facilities knowledge and experience of customer led, service environments.

The working pattern for this post is a 4 week working pattern - Mixture of earlies/lates/weekends. Please see the attached Rota for further details.

This position is working on-site only, so we are unable to support hybrid working for this appointment.

The interviews are currently anticipated to be held on Thursday 12 November 2026.

An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with Adult & Child Barred lists is required for this post.

If you have any queries regarding this position, please contact Lee McCanny at Lee.McCanny@port.ac.uk or Sam Armstrong at Sam.armstrong@port.ac.uk or by calling 02392  02392 84 5555.

Employer, External Only: University of Portsmouth Academic Services Ltd (UASL)

Discover the advantages of joining our university. We offer a range of attractive benefits and opportunities to enhance your work experience:

• Competitive salary, including incremental progression within your scale.
• Generous pension scheme.
• Generous leave entitlement of 32–35 days a year, plus bank holidays, and an additional Christmas closure.
• Family-friendly policies supporting flexible working.
• Staff discounts and loyalty schemes.
• Staff car parking and discounted public travel.
• Excellent training and development opportunities.
• Staff wellbeing programmes.
• Recreation facilities, including discounted gym membership, food on campus schemes, use of the Library and staff social activities.
• Discounted learning.
• Start-up business mentoring from expert entrepreneurs via our Entrepreneurs in Residence programme.
• The perks don’t stop there - click ‘apply’ for further information on My Reward and Benefits

Salary Information

New appointments will routinely be made to the entry spine point (minimum) for the advertised grade, from where the individual will (in addition to receiving annual cost-of-living-related increases) progress through the pay range to the maximum for the grade, within a reasonable timeframe.  This ensures fairness, consistency and transparency in our pay structures.  A higher starting salary or market supplement may be available for a truly exceptional candidate when circumstances fully justify a departure from our normal policy.

UKVI Statement

Prior to submitting your application, kindly ensure that you can either demonstrate or acquire the necessary right to work in the UK. If you currently do not possess the right to work in the UK, please be aware that our offer of employment is conditional upon you obtaining it.

ED&I Statement

We are committed to upholding the University’s values of being ambitious, open and responsible, in an inclusive working environment that promotes dignity and respect.

Please note that this vacancy may be closed earlier than advertised, so early applications are advised.