Head of Sports Excellence Program

Inspire Institute of Sport, Bellary is looking for a Head of Sports Excellence Programme. Role OverviewThe Head – Sports Excellence Programme is a senior leadership role responsible for the end-to-end design, execution, and governance of the SEP. Based in New Delhi, the incumbent will serve as the primary interface between IIS, national sports federations, athletes, coaches, performance experts, and other key stakeholders — while providing strategic and operational leadership to the SEP team.This role demands a rare combination of high-performance sports knowledge, programme management capability, stakeholder relationship expertise, and people leadership. The Head – SEP will be accountable for athlete outcomes, programme quality, and the seamless execution of IIS's broader strategic vision through the SEP vertical.The job details are mentioned below; Last day for applications is 9th of May 2026.Key Responsibilities1. Strategic Programme LeadershipLead the overall vision, strategy, and roadmap of the Sports Excellence Programme in alignment with IIS's Olympic mandate.Evaluate & re-build the athlete support model, refining sport selection criteria, and establishing robust systems for monitoring and evaluation.Define short-term and long-term performance goals for the programme and develop actionable plans to achieve them.Contribute to IIS's broader organisational strategy and translate institutional priorities into SEP-level initiatives and policies.2. Athlete Management & WelfareOversee the holistic support and development of all SEP athletes across all supported disciplines.Ensure every athlete receives a tailored support plan covering coaching, sports science, nutrition, mental conditioning, competitive exposure, and life skills.Champion athlete welfare — proactively identifying and resolving welfare concerns, and fostering a high-trust, athlete-first culture within SEP.Lead and guide a team of Athlete Managers, ensuring consistent quality of athlete engagement, documentation, and support delivery.Oversee athlete pipeline management — from talent identification and onboarding through to transition planning at the end of an athlete's SEP journey.3. Stakeholder & Federation RelationsServe as a key representative and relationship owner for IIS–SEP with national sports federations (NSFs), the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and other governing bodies.Build and sustain strong, trust-based relationships with federation heads, national coaches, and relevant government bodies to facilitate athlete support, camp integration, and competitive opportunities.Represent IIS–SEP at key national and international sporting events, forums, and policy discussions.Manage relationships with partner organisations, donors, and other institutional stakeholders contributing to the SEP ecosystem.4. Operational Leadership & ExecutionOversee the day-to-day operations of SEP — ensuring seamless execution of training plans, competition logistics, travel, documentation, and athlete support services.Establish and maintain robust standard operating procedures (SOPs), programme frameworks, and reporting mechanisms across all SEP functions.Ensure timely and accurate reporting of athlete progress, programme outcomes, and key metrics to the President – IIS and other relevant stakeholders.Work closely with cross-functional teams at IIS — including high-performance, sports science, administration, and communications — to deliver an integrated athlete experience.Manage SEP's budget in coordination with IIS leadership, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and strong fiscal accountability.5. Talent Identification & Programme DevelopmentLead or contribute to Pan-India talent identification initiatives to build a strong pipeline of athletes for the SEP.Identify emerging Olympic disciplines where IIS investment can yield long-term results, and develop business cases for programme expansion.Continuously evaluate and enhance programme systems, workflows, and athlete development frameworks to drive performance optimisation.Qualifications & ExperienceEssentialBachelor's degree in Sports Science, Sports Management, Physical Education, or a related field. A postgraduate qualification (MBA, MSc, or equivalent) is an advantage.Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in high-performance sports management, athlete programme management, or national-level sports administration.Prior experience working directly with or for national sports federations or SAI-affiliated programmesDemonstrated experience working in or closely with a high-performance sports environment - ideally at a national training centre, Olympic programme, or equivalent institution.Proven ability to manage multi-sport athlete programmes and coordinate with coaches, performance staff, and support teams.Strong understanding of India's sporting ecosystem - including the roles of national federations, SAI, and related government bodies.Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, particularly with federations, governing bodies, and government institutions.Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience leading small, high-performing teams.Exceptional communication skills — written, verbal, and in presentation.DesirablePrior experience as a competitive athlete, preferably at the international level, bringing firsthand understanding of the athlete's journey, performance pressures, and support needs.Exposure to international high-performance programme structures (e.g., Olympic training centres, national Olympic committees).Familiarity with athlete management systems (AMS) and performance monitoring tools.Experience managing programme budgets and working within a CSR-funded or grant-funded organisational model.A network within India's elite sporting community — coaches, sports scientists, federation officials, and athletes.

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