Head of Sports Academies

Position Overview

This role will be responsible for conceptualizing, launching, operating, and scaling accessible, community-driven sports academies across India. The objective is to democratize sports participation by building sustainable, high-quality platforms that allow children and adults to access coaching, play infrastructure, and recreational sport experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning

Develop and execute a 3-5 year roadmap to scale pay-and-play academies across Tier I and II cities in India.

Identify key markets, sports disciplines, pricing strategies, and delivery models for scalable operations.

Build strategic partnerships with schools, municipal bodies, sports complexes, and private venues.

Business Development & Operations

Drive customer acquisition, community engagement, and retention through marketing and on-ground activations.

Define and track operational KPIs including enrollment, utilization, revenue, and customer service.

Financial & Commercial Management

Design revenue models, pricing structures, and payment gateways.

Prepare and manage standalone P&L statements for the pay-and-play vertical with focus on profitability and cash flow optimization.

Secure sponsorships, local partnerships, and CSR funding where appropriate.

Team Leadership

Hire, and manage a diverse team of regional managers, academy coordinators, and coaching staff.

Foster a culture of operational excellence, accountability, and service orientation.

Qualifications & Experience

10+ years of experience in sports operations, academy management, or consumer services.

Proven track record in building scalable grassroots or youth-centric businesses in sports, education, or fitness.

MBA or equivalent preferred; strong commercial and operational acumen is essential.

Experience working with tech platforms, CRM tools, and digital marketing is a plus.

Strong network in the Indian sports ecosystem is desirable.