Sports graduate jobs

Are you passionate about fitness and dedicated to making a difference in people's lives through sports? Explore a wealth of career opportunities in the sports sector, tailored for jobseekers like you

Personal trainer

Whether a client is trying to build muscle, boost endurance, or lose weight, you can help them achieve their fitness goals. Create a variety of engaging workouts, personalised plans, and group classes that motivate and guide them.

Find out more about the role of a personal trainer.

PE teacher

Become a PE teacher in secondary schools or colleges and inspire a love of sport in young people. You'll design engaging lesson plans, lead classes, and motivate students to reach their full potential.

Responsibilities include managing classroom behaviour, creating teaching materials, marking work, organising sports matches, and attending parent-teacher meetings.

Explore the different routes into teaching.

Sport and exercise psychologist

You'll work with athletes and teams of all levels, from amateur to elite, to help them overcome mental hurdles, achieve peak performance, and reach their full potential. You'll be their guide in navigating the psychological demands of sport and fostering personal development.

Exercise psychologists design strategies to increase motivation and participation in sports for the general public, encouraging healthy lifestyles and educating clients on the numerous benefits of physical activity.

Starting salaries range from around £20,000 to £23,000, while those with experience can earn £27,000 to £38,000.

You will need:

• an interest in sport
• excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• active listening and reflection skills
• patience and the ability to motivate others
• ability to work under pressure and cope with stressful situations.

Read up on the role of a sport and exercise psychologist and discover how to become a sport psychologist.

Sports coach

Help people of all ages and skill levels achieve their athletic dreams. Support professional athletes and teams, community sports groups, and schoolchildren as they push their limits. You'll develop their physical and mental fitness, creating the ideal environment to maximise their performance on and off the field.

You will need:

• a desire to help other people succeed
• excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• team-building ability
• enthusiasm, flexibility and patience
• organisational skills.

While academic qualifications are a plus, becoming a certified coach requires specific programmes offered by the national governing body of your chosen sport.

Take a look at what you could earn as a sports coach and learn more about sports coaching courses.

Sports development officer

Your mission is to ensure all community members, regardless of background, are aware of the exciting sports opportunities available and how to get involved. While increasing participation in all kinds of sports is essential to the role, you'll also make a positive social impact by promoting health, addressing crime prevention, and fostering social inclusion within the community.

While a degree isn't mandatory, a background in health and exercise science, leisure studies, physical education, sport development or management, or sports science can provide a strong foundation for success.

Starting as an assistant sports development officer, you can expect a salary in the region of £18,000 to £30,000.

Discover what it's like to work as a sports development officer.

Sports therapist

Work in a specialised sports injury clinic or directly with a sports club to develop strategies to keep athletes healthy and performing at their best. You'll be responsible for:

• Effective treatment - managing and treating injuries using proven techniques.
• Injury recognition - identifying injuries quickly to minimise potential damage.
• Rehabilitation - guiding patients through a personalised rehabilitation programme to ensure a full and speedy recovery.

A successful sports therapist has excellent problem-solving skills and maintains a positive attitude when tackling challenges and finding solutions. You'll also need excellent communication skills to collaborate effectively with patients, athletes, and colleagues.

Salaries if you work in a clinic start at £18,000. With experience, this can rise to £30,000.

Find out what qualifications you'll need to work as a sports therapist.

Fitness centre manager

You'll oversee the day-to-day operations of a facility like a gym, swimming pool, sports court, or spa. Your responsibilities include marketing the centre to attract new members and managing a team of staff to ensure everything runs smoothly. The role demands flexibility with early mornings, late evenings, and weekend work to cater to member needs.

While a degree in business, management, sport and leisure management, leisure studies, or sports science can be a bonus, the right drive and experience are highly valued for candidates in this role.

Many managers start their journey as assistants or trainees, gaining valuable experience before stepping into leadership roles. Starting salaries typically range from £22,000 to £25,000, but with experience and responsibility, you can reach a salary exceeding £35,000.

Take a look at the skills you'll need to become a fitness centre manager.

Lifeguard

You'll ensure the safety of swimmers and take decisive action in emergencies. Specific lifeguarding qualifications are required, equipping you with the skills to perform rescues and keep everyone safe.

To launch your career,  you'll need to be recognised by a reputable organisation like the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) or the Swimming Teaching Association (STA) for pool lifeguarding. Beach lifeguarding requires the RLSS National Beach Lifeguard Qualification or the Surf Life Saving Beach Lifeguard Award.

The role demands strong communication skills, the ability to stay calm and think clearly in emergencies, and exceptional observation skills to ensure no swimmer is ever in danger.

Outdoor activities/education manager

This career demands outstanding leadership, teamwork, and customer service skills. Your organisational talents and innovative approach will be key to creating unforgettable outdoor experiences.

Start as a seasonal instructor at an outdoor centre, leading participants in activities like climbing, cycling, horse riding, mountaineering, orienteering, and water sports. Gain valuable experience and progress into a management role.

As a centre manager, you'll oversee all operations, ensuring the smooth running of the facility and the safety of everyone involved. Your responsibilities include managing staff, adhering to safety regulations, and fostering a fun and adventurous environment.

Outdoor centre careers offer salaries ranging from £10,000 for seasonal instructors to £40,000 for experienced centre managers, with senior instructors typically earning around £25,000.

Find out what qualifications you'll need to work as an outdoor activities/education manager.

Find out more

• See what the leisure, sport and tourism sector has to offer.