Sparta is seeking a visionary Head of Sport

Are you ready to take on overall responsibility for the sports department in one of Denmark’s most ambitious athletics clubs?

Sparta Athletics & Running is both one of Europe’s largest event organisers and one of Denmark’s biggest and most established athletics clubs. This unique dual position gives us exceptional scale, resilience and opportunities for synergy.

On the sporting side, we are entering a new and ambitious phase. With strong membership growth, solid competitive results and a clear ambition to become a national centre of excellence for athletics and running, we are now stepping up the pace.

The objective for the sports department is clear: to strengthen elite performance programme, enhance recruitment and talent development, engage even more children and young people, and at the same time remain an attractive and relevant community for recreational members of all ages.

To realise these ambitions, we are looking for a strategically strong and inspiring Head of Sport with energy, authority and a holistic mindset. A leader who will take ownership of the overall sporting agenda, set a clear direction for development, ensure the right structures are in place and help shape the future of Sparta Athletics & Running – with quality, coherence and member experience at the core.

Setting the direction for Sparta’s sporting development and member communities

As Head of Sport, you will have overall responsibility for everything that makes Sparta a strong and successful club: training environments, recruitment and talent development, club culture, and the day-to-day operation of the sports department. Results are delivered in close collaboration with the coaching staff and through a professionally strong leadership team within the department.

With overall accountability – and in close cooperation with the sports leadership – you will:

• Define and drive the strategic direction for Sparta’s sporting development, ensuring a coherent pathway from grassroots and youth programmes through to elite level.
• Develop and strengthen Sparta’s running environments, creating frameworks that attract, inspire and retain both new and experienced members.
• Ensure contemporary, relevant membership offerings across target groups and develop a sustainable membership and fee structure.
• Lead and develop the sports department, ensuring clear priorities, operational stability and high professional standards.
• Develop and embed Sparta’s sporting identity and club culture so that it is clear, meaningful and lived by members, coaches and volunteers.
• In collaboration with relevant internal and external stakeholders, secure the indoor and outdoor facilities, partnerships and frameworks needed to support the long-term development of athletics and running at Sparta.
• Work closely with the Athletics Committee and the Running Committee on priorities, sporting direction and the overall organisational development of the department.

A central role with real influence

As Head of Sport, you will be part of Sparta’s executive management team alongside the CEO and the Head of Events. You will also act as a key sparring partner to the Board and committees, and represent Sparta in the wider sports and policy landscape.

You will:

• Help shape Sparta’s future strategic decisions relating to sport and performance.
• Lead with clarity, professionalism and strong people skills, ensuring wellbeing and a positive working environment within the sports department.
• Ensure strategic capacity building, prioritisation and sound financial management of the sports department, with a focus on quality, sustainability and long-term development – including securing the facilities required to support Sparta’s continued growth.
• Represent the interests of athletics and running at executive level and ensure they remain high priorities within the organisation.
• Lead Sparta’s sports-policy engagement and positioning as both a grassroots and elite club, and secure value-creating partnerships with municipalities, educational institutions and relevant national and international sports federations and organisations.

This is a role with genuine influence in a fast-paced organisation with high ambitions and a strong appetite for development.

About you

You are a leader who:

• Has a relevant professional background and experience in sports leadership, talent development and membership-based organisations.
• Delivers results through strategy, structure and motivating leadership.
• Is a strong communicator with the ability to listen, engage and build trust.
• Thrives in close collaboration with coaches, athletes, staff and external partners.
• Understands the dynamics of club life, sports-policy processes and member-driven organisations.
• Is passionate about creating the best possible conditions for both elite and grassroots sport.
• Is not afraid to be hands-on when required – including at major events.
• Communicates fluently in both Danish and English, verbally and in writing.

In short, you want to help shape the future of Danish athletics and running – and you are ready to take responsibility for a club in strong development.

What we offer

At Sparta, you will get:

• A key leadership position in one of Denmark’s most prominent sports clubs, working alongside a strong and committed sports leadership team.
• A central role in shaping the future athletics and running environment – both within Sparta and nationally.
• An organisation with strong resources, ambitious colleagues and a high professional standard.
• A dynamic working environment characterised by development, energy and a strong sense of community.
• Significant flexibility in your working life – we believe in balance and freedom with responsibility.

Further information

We look forward to welcoming the right candidate to Sparta Athletics & Running, based in Østerbro, Copenhagen. Our current workplace is located at Parken, as our usual facilities at Gunnar Nu Hansens Plads are undergoing a major renovation.

The position is full-time and permanent, with salary agreed individually.
For further information, please contact CEO Dorte Vibjerg on +45 22 62 20 26.

Please submit your CV and a short covering letter no later than 28 February 2026.
First-round interviews will take place on 9–10 March 2026, with second-round interviews on 18 March 2026.
Start date: as soon as possible.

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