Sports Betting jobs

ACE Grading - Sports Card Specialist

Purpose of the Role

The Sports Card Specialist will help build Ace Grading’s sports card authentication capability across all sports. The role investigates suspected counterfeit and altered cards, researches authenticity concerns and develops reference knowledge to support informed decisions on sports card submissions.

Working closely with the Head of Grading and Training & Development Manager, the Sports Card Specialist will provide technical guidance to colleagues, share findings and help develop the knowledge of a growing sports team. They will bring a strong foundation in sports cards and some practical experience with counterfeit or altered cards, with support to develop their research skills and authentication knowledge across unfamiliar products and sports.

As Ace Grading’s sports capability develops, there may be opportunities to take on wider leadership responsibilities, subject to business needs and demonstrated capability.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate suspected counterfeit and altered sports cards, assess available evidence and provide recommendations to support submission decisions.
• Research authenticity concerns across sports cards, expanding knowledge across unfamiliar sports and products as required.
• Provide specialist guidance on sports card manufacturers, products, parallels and variations within their areas of knowledge, researching unfamiliar examples where needed.
• Develop and maintain reference materials and documented findings to support authentication work and future investigations.
• Provide technical guidance on sports card submissions, recognising when further investigation or escalation to the Head of Grading is needed.
• Work with the Head of Grading and Training & Development Manager to turn research findings into practical guidance and educational resources.
• Support the technical development of colleagues and help guide research and knowledge sharing within a growing sports team.
• Monitor emerging counterfeit and alteration methods and identify relevant risks for Ace Grading.
• Contribute sports-specific knowledge to grading standards discussions, working within Ace Grading’s established standards and the Head of Grading’s direction.

Key Relationships

Reports to: Head of Grading

Works closely with:

• Head of Grading
• Training & Development Manager
• Grading Project Specialist
• Grading Managers

Person Specification

Essential

• Strong knowledge of at least one major American sports card market, including its manufacturers, products and variations.
• Some practical experience with counterfeit or altered sports cards, with the ability to describe their involvement.
• A strong interest in developing their knowledge across sports cards and authentication.
• Willingness to ask questions, seek guidance and recognise when something falls outside their knowledge.
• Ability to communicate clearly, support colleagues and share knowledge.
• A professional, reliable approach and willingness to take responsibility for their work.

Desirable

• Knowledge across multiple American sports or additional sports card categories.
• Experience working within grading, authentication, sports card retail, auction houses or related collectibles businesses.
• Experience researching unfamiliar cards or developing reference materials, educational resources or technical guidance.
• Experience mentoring colleagues, coordinating research or providing technical leadership.
• Interest in developing leadership and people management skills as the sports function grows.

Success Measures

Success in the role will be measured through the contribution made to Ace Grading’s sports card authentication capability, the quality of support provided on sports submissions and the development of the specialist’s knowledge over time. This includes identifying and escalating authenticity concerns appropriately, building useful reference materials and sharing knowledge that helps colleagues make informed decisions.

Pay: £34,500.00-£37,500.00 per year

Application question(s):

• Which sports card markets do you know best? Please outline your experience, including any knowledge of American sports cards, and how you have been involved in the hobby or industry.
• What practical experience have you had with counterfeit or altered sports cards? Please give an example, explaining your involvement and what you learned. This does not need to have been in a professional role.
• Tell us about something you learned about sports cards that changed how you assess or buy them. What did you learn, and how did you find out?

Work Location: In person