Aquatics Programme Lead
Working Hours: 20 Hours p.w @ Wadurs Pool, Shoreham - By - Sea
Salary: Grade 5/6
Salary Figure: £28,856 - £34,869 p.a.
(£15,597 - £18,848 p.a for 20 h.p.w)
Closing Date: 09/09/2026 - We may close this advert earlier due to volume of interest
Company Overview
Welcome to South Downs Leisure; where healthy living meets environmental responsibility. We are more than just a gym. We are a place to recharge, re-energise, and reconnect, with yourself, your community, and the planet. Whether you’re swimming at Splashpoint Leisure Centre, unwinding in a yoga class, or playing a game of tennis, every experience with us is rooted in our passion for sustainable living and long term wellbeing.
Role Summary
We are looking for a passionate Aquatic Programme Leaders to oversee our swimming programs at Wadurs Pool in Shoreham - by -Sea.
From our learn-to-swim pathways to performance development, you’ll play a pivotal role in ensuring every swimmer, from beginner to advanced, has access to a safe, inclusive and inspiring aquatic journey. Living and working by the sea brings a unique responsibility. For many in our community, swimming is not just a leisure activity – it is a vital life skill. You will help ensure that non-swimmers become confident swimmers, and confident swimmers become safe, capable and informed in both the safety of our pools and beyond.
Consideration will be given to applicants who also wish to apply for our Part-time, Wadurs Duty Manager role (in conjunction with this Aquatics role) to make a full time position. For more details please see our South Downs Leisure website and indicate your intertest on your application.
Responsibilities
As Aquatics Programme Lead, working with our National Aquatics Manager you will be responsible for the planning, coordination and continuous development of the swimming programme across both sites. You will lead on programme quality, customer experience, workforce deployment, and performance standards, ensuring delivery is safe, commercially sustainable, and community focused. You will work closely with instructors, lifeguards, duty teams and management to ensure the programme runs seamlessly, while also driving innovation, participation and growth.
- Based at either our Wadurs site you will help shape and grow our Aquatics offering.
- Oversee the delivery of learn-to-swim, school swimming, and aquatic activity pathways
- Manage and support a team of swim teachers and sessional staff
- Ensure high standards of safety, safeguarding, and customer experience at all times
- Monitor participation, retention, and programme performance, taking proactive action to improve outcomes
- Coordinate staffing rotas and pool programming to maximise efficiency and usage
- Support recruitment, onboarding and ongoing development of aquatics staff
- Work collaboratively with centre management to grow income and community engagement
- Champion inclusive access to aquatics for all ages and abilities
Your Experience
- Experience in aquatics delivery and/or programme coordination
- Strong leadership and people management skills
- A confident, proactive and solution-focused approach
- The ability to balance operational delivery with commercial awareness
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and high-quality customer experience
- You don’t need to tick every box — but you do need ambition, accountability, and the drive to make a real impact
Role Specific Essential Technical / Professional Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications:
- Swim England Level 2 Swimming Teacher or STA Level 2 Award and Certificate in Teaching Swimming. (essential)
- Swim England/STA Level 2 Baby & Pre-School Teacher (desirable or willingness to work towards).
- Swim England/STA Aquatic Tutor status (desirable or willingness to work towards).
- RLSS UK NPLQ (or equivalent), or willingness to gain qualification.
- Swim England/STA/UKCC Safeguarding qualification. (essential)
- Experience using Cap2 and Legend systems. (desirable)
- Ability to use Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams).
Make A Splash and apply now to help shape the future of swimming in our community
Pay: £28,856.00-£34,869.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Employee mentoring programme
- Gym membership
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Do you have Swim England Level 2 Swimming Teacher or STA Level 2 Award and Certificate in Teaching Swimming. (essential)
Work Location: In person
