The search begins for new GM of JPL Sports Tours
The Junior Premier League is recruiting a general manager to run and grow for its sports tours business both in the UK and across the world.
A full description of the role can be found below, but the successful candidate will have previous experience of working in the sports tours and travel industries and be a motivated and entrepreneurial individual, who is ready to roll their sleeves up.
Applicants should send a cover letter, explaining their interest in the role and why they believe they are qualified to be successful, along with a detailed CV to Recruitment@JPLSports.com
JPL SPORTS TOURS: GENERAL MANAGER
The Junior Premier League (JPL) is recruiting a General Manager to run and grow its tours business.
LOCATION: UK Based
This is a key appointment for the JPL, with the successful candidate having the opportunity to build and shape the business from the ground up. The JPL already organises and delivers tours, having taken young players to train at Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus over the past 12 months and while the company is established, it remains in its infancy. With JPL players now based in the UK, USA and across the Middle East, with more new territories coming on line in 2025, the opportunity to grow is undeniable.
With that in mind, we’re looking for a candidate who is motivated and entrepreneurial and who is willing and able to roll their sleeves up in these exciting early stages, to grow the business and build a team around them as they go. The GM will report directly to JPL’s executive committee and will be responsible for everything from planning, sales and customer service to operations, implementation and delivery.
The GM will have an understanding of both the football business and the travel and tours industry and, ideally, a network of connections they can bring with them. They will be responsible for developing our core products, and packing travel offerings which not only inspire and motivate our community of players and families but make clear business sense. On the one hand, the successful candidate will work closely with our group marketing team and understand the importance of delivering compelling messaging and storytelling to support the business, while on the other they will have the wherewithal to ensure JPL tours is run prudently and in line with policies, procedures and all relevant regulations and legislation.
This role will suit someone who is ambitious, energetic, flexible and ready to throw themselves into an organisation they can influence and grow with. Our hybrid-working model will allow the successful candidate some flexibility in terms of place of work, offering them the chance to regularly work from home.
*To apply, please send a cover letter, explaining why you are interested in the position and what value you feel you would bring to the business, and a detailed CV to Recruitment@JPLSports.com
SALARY
Competitive basic salary, which is commensurate with experience, as well as a heavily incentivised commission package. Further details available upon enquiry.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provide strong leadership and development of the JPL Sports Tours business
• Oversee, be able to communicate and be ready to sharpen the Sports Tours business plan
• Perform your responsibilities in absolute alignment with the JPL’s values, vision and purpose.
• Manage a team and set targets to help JPL achieve its overarching strategic objectives.
• Manage, develop, build and maintain relationships with key JPL suppliers and clients
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
• Previous experience in the travel side of the sports industry and or, sports tours, is essential.
• An understanding of and experience in sales, marketing and product, specific to sports tours.
• An understanding of how and where to source best rates for flights/hotels and network to deliver those.
• The ability to plan, create and deliver travel and tour programmes, products and itineraries.
• Experience of managing client relationships and the customer journey from enquiry to close
• Maximise profitability and manage risk through robust budgets, purchasing and ‘hand back’ processes.
• Strong knowledge of the global and regional football landscape
• Demonstrable interest in the growth of women’s and girls’ football
• Understanding of the latest AI capabilities as it relates to your role.
• Enthusiastic, motivated - an outstanding team player
• Strong team ethic and collaborative nature – confident managing multiple stakeholders.
• A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal and organisational skills
• Educated to degree standard or equivalent (ideally with a marketing qualification)
• Excellent IT skills, including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Google Drive.
• Flexible working attitude and approach
•Availability to travel for business needs
•Experienced/capable working to targets, analysing results and making recommendations
DESIRABLE SKILLS/EXPERIENCE
•Additional language skills
•Be able to bring a network of industry connections, in both sport and travel.
•Previous experience of overseas markets/business cultures
•Post-graduate sports-related credentials
ABOUT THE JPL
The Junior Premier League (JPL) is one of the world’s most successful youth sports organisations. Each week, we bring together thousands of young people across the world for unrivalled sporting opportunities and fierce, but fair, competition. JPL was founded in England in 2011 and although the home of football will always be the birthplace of the Junior Premier League, it now operates in the USA, across the Middle East and will be launching in a number of new territories in 2025. We know JPL players like to dream big dreams, and our work with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, Juventus and PSG presents our young people with the chance to make those dreams take flight. Our girls league, JPL Warriors, is one of the fastest growing youth competitions in Europe and features the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur to name but a few.
JPL RECRUITMENT
The JPL is an equal opportunities employer and strives to create an inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We believe in the potential of everyone and open our doors to those who share our values. All appointments will be made based on merit. Our commitment to safeguarding includes implementing robust and safe recruitment procedures to assess the suitability of individuals applying for roles that involve work with children.