For over a decade, we’ve specialised in training and developing Sport and Exercise Nutritionists. As the global leader in applied, evidence-based sports nutrition education, we’ve empowered thousands of practitioners worldwide through our cutting-edge programmes, tools, and resources — all designed to bridge the gap between science and practice.
The Programme Lead holds overall responsibility for the delivery and assessment integrity of the Institute of Performance Nutrition’s (IOPN) programmes, ensuring that academic standards, professional requirements, and the student experience remain at the highest level. The role provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of academic quality, assessment, student support, engagement, professional accreditation, and internal quality assurance across the portfolio of educational programmes, namely the Diploma in Sports Nutrition (DSN), PGDip, and MSc (Top-Up) in Sports Nutrition.
The Programme Lead works across university partnerships, internal governance, pastoral care, professional standards, and student engagement, with a strong focus on academic integrity, continuous enhancement, and stakeholder collaboration. This is a part-time position of up to 15 hours per week (≈0.4 FTE), with the potential to flex up depending on other commitments.
Key facts
- Role: Education Team (Programme Lead)
- Start date: October/November 2025
- Location: Remote (UK-based)
- Part time: Up to 15 hours per week (≈0.4 FTE)
- Position open until filled
- Reporting to Institute Director
- Managing a small assessor team
Essential
- PhD or Professional Doctorate in a relevant field (Sports Nutrition, Exercise Science, Dietetics, etc).
- Registered with the Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENr).
- Experience working in professional and/or Olympic sports.
- Experience in sport and exercise nutrition education or assessment at higher education level.
- Strong understanding of assessment-related practices.
- Strong understanding of online higher education delivery.
- Proficient in using asynchronous tools such as Notion and Slack for internal collaboration and communication.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills — can communicate and articulate ideas clearly across a range of channels.
- Is a strong leader who has experience managing small teams.
- Proactive problem solver with a student-centred approach.
Desirable skills
- Prior experience liaising with external accrediting or validating bodies.
- Familiarity with university–private provider partnership models.
- Graduate of the IOPN.
- Holds (or willing to obtain within one month of appointment) a recognised Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) qualification.
- Other professional registrations such as the Association for Nutrition (AfN).
Key Responsibilities
Overall Programme Leadership
- Holds ultimate responsibility for programme delivery and assessment integrity across the DSN, PGDip, and MSc (Top-Up) in Sports Nutrition.
- Ensures teaching, learning, and evaluation processes are consistent, fair, and meet regulatory and professional standards.
- Oversees and standardises assessment practices across all programmes.
- Manages and leads assessors (DSN) and module coordinators (PGDip/MSc) to ensure alignment with academic quality expectations and programme standards.
- Participates in the IOPN ethics committee to safeguard ethical, academic, and research integrity.
University Partnership Oversight
- Manages and coordinates the Board of Examinations and Module Assessment Boards for the University of Portsmouth (UoP) partnership, ensuring compliance with academic regulations and timely reporting.
- Oversees annual monitoring and periodic review requirements.
- Acts as the main point of contact, second to the Programme Director, between IOPN and UoP for all programme-related matters.
Professional Accreditation Leadership
- Supports the accreditation process for SENr (Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register) for the MSc, ensuring continued alignment with SENr standards post-accreditation.
- Alongside the Deputy Programme Lead, supports maintaining DSN alignment with CFI accreditation standards, liaising with the EQA annually for centre assessment review until programme cessation.
Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) & Moderation
- In conjunction with the Deputy Programme Lead:
- Ensures assessment is conducted in line with best practice, monitoring assessor and module coordinator performance.
- Keeps current with IQA standards and regulatory changes.
- Conducts monitoring activities, including sampling assessment records and decisions.
- Identifies and addresses training needs for assessors and module coordinators.
- Works with the Deputy Programme Lead to ensure standardisation and continuous improvement.
- Liaises with the EQA (DSN) and external examiner (PGDip/MSc) to ensure compliance and enhance assessment quality.
Lead Assessor Duties
- Inducts new assessors and module coordinators, providing regular training and support.
- Monitors assessment completion rates and distributes workloads fairly across the team.
- Manages student progression through programme milestones, including orientation, module progression, and graduation.
- Recommends improvements to assessment protocols and quality control measures.
- Responsible for a small amount of grading across the PGDip and MSc programmes on a needs basis.
Student Management & Support
- Reviews and processes extenuating circumstances requests, coordinating with the Operations Manager and ensuring database accuracy on the UoP accredited programmes.
- Oversees student graduations for the UoP programmes, liaising with UoP (PGDip/MSc), and managing internal certificate and transcript generation.
- Inducts new students, ensuring they are welcomed, informed, and supported at the start of their studies.
- Provides pastoral support and acts as a key contact for academic wellbeing.
Student Voice & Representation
- Co-chairs student voice committees with UoP, ensuring student feedback informs programme enhancement.
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role via the button below: