Holly Grimes

Please tell us about your current role and employer:

I’m the Strategic Lead for Sport Partnerships at Greater Manchester Moving. GM Moving is part of a network of 43 Active Partnerships from across the country and aims to create a more inclusive and connected system for sports and activity. I work with a variety of organisations throughout the ten districts of Greater Manchester to tackle inequalities in sports.

There can be several factors or choices that determine how active someone is likely to be. At GM Moving, we take a whole system approach to physical activity and consider things like the policies, physical environments and cultural norms that might be prevent people from accessing sport and physical activity.

What does a typical day in your current role look like?

My work is really varied. I do a lot of relationship management and work with a range of organisations from government partners and local authorities to grass-roots community projects. I also work with national governing bodies of sport, as well as partners such as Sport England or the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. I form strategic links between organisations, help align priorities and demonstrate best practice.

As the strategic lead for the organisation, I also look at some of the bigger-picture work. We have a ten-year strategy, and I consider how we can develop plans and take actions to meet wider objectives.

Within my day-to-day role, I work closely with the two members of staff I manage. Internally, I develop strategic plans and look closely at participation data to target our work. Externally, I spend time networking and being visible in the Greater Manchester sports scene. If there are any major sporting events happening in the city, I might sit on steering or legacy groups to ensure that outcomes from events are sustained and positively impact the city region.

What was the journey to getting a job after graduating from Birmingham?

I graduated with a first-class degree but didn’t know what I wanted to do after University. Jobs within the sector were competitive and I was told I didn’t have enough experience to secure the roles in which I was interested. I decided to study a masters degree in Sports Business and Policy as I enjoyed that aspect of my undergraduate degree and thought it would help me gain more experience.

I had gained some experience at Birmingham. I volunteered as part of the committee for the Women’s Football Club however, I didn’t feel particularly confident coaching and, although I took a job as a teaching assistant before securing my first role in sports development, working in a primary education setting didn’t feel like a natural fit for me.

The biggest catalyst for my career was my decision to start volunteering with the FA. I joined the Manchester FA Youth Council and quickly became the chair. I managed between ten and twelve youth leaders and explored how young people could better influence football development. I then joined the National Youth Council and worked closely with county FAs in the North. Following my volunteering, I got my first paid role with the National Citizen Service, managing youth-centred programmes at Oldham Athletic Community Trust.

I held a couple of roles with the National Citizen Service and developed my knowledge of working with young people before taking up a position at Greater Manchester Moving. My current role combines my interest in sport with my understanding of community-led work.

Despite working full time, I still volunteer. I’m a trustee at Manchester Laces, the biggest inclusive football club in the North and I mentor on a women’s leadership programme.

What are your top tips for students graduating today?

• Network. Don’t be afraid of connecting with people and asking if they’re willing to chat about their roles. Find mentors where you can!

• Don’t underestimate how important volunteering can be for helping you gain real-life work experience.

• Understand your why. Consider what your motives, drivers and values are before you start applying for jobs.

What was your biggest achievement during your course (personally, professional or academic)?

I come from a working-class background and being the first person in my family to go to university was a big achievement. Graduating and having my parents there was a really special moment for me.

I was also proud of my involvement in the Women’s Football Club at Birmingham. I played mainly to socialise. I was on the committee and acted as the social secretary which was a lot of fun. We had a fantastic coach – Gemma Davies – who is now the coaches the under 23 England Women’s team. Gemma made the club more community-focused, introducing a primary-school coaching programme. Participating in the club helped me think more about what I wanted to do after studying.

How do you feel the learning experience on your course helped to prepare you for your career?

I didn’t love every element of the course; however, the breadth of modules certainly makes you a well-rounded graduate. I particularly enjoyed learning about sports policy and development and my favourite module was the sociology of sports. We learnt about historic barriers to accessing sport and why it remains a gendered activity. I still think about the theories I learnt in the module.

I also enjoyed studying sport events and that module is quite relevant to the work I do now. It was helpful to reflect on how you sustain the legacy of an event and embed activities within the local community.