The opportunity:
City of Lincoln Council is looking for an experienced and motivated Sport & Leisure Service Manager to lead the continued enhancement of our sport, leisure and recreation services. This is an important role at the heart of our ambition to improve access to high-quality leisure opportunities, support healthier communities and ensure our facilities, contracts and partnerships deliver excellent outcomes for residents.
You will act as the Council’s lead for leisure services, providing effective client-side contract management, strategic direction and partnership leadership across sport, leisure, recreation, health and wellbeing initiatives.
About the role:
- Act as the Council’s lead for enhancing and improving leisure services through effective client contract management of the leisure services contract.
- Manage sport, leisure and recreation facilities, including related contracts and leases.
- Lead the strategic management, development and delivery of initiatives and projects that improve the quality and availability of opportunities for residents to participate in sport, physical activity and wellbeing activities.
- Lead on, or support, the development of sport, leisure, recreation, health and wellbeing-related policies, processes and service improvements.
About you:
We are looking for someone with proven leadership skills and strong experience in sport, leisure or recreation services, ideally within a local authority. You will be confident managing contracts, working with partners and providers, and translating strategic priorities into practical improvements for communities.
You will bring sound judgement, commercial awareness and a commitment to inclusive, high-quality public services. Just as importantly, you will be able to build trusted relationships, influence others and champion the role that sport, leisure and physical activity can play in improving health, wellbeing and quality of life.
Benefits we offer:
- Flexible working options / Flexi time scheme.
- Generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays.
- Local government pension scheme.
- Employee online discount scheme (including cinema, retail / supermarkets and homeware / tech).
- Health and Wellbeing support.
- Sustainable Travel Options (Tax free bike scheme and discounted City parking).
For an informal discussion, please contact Simon Colburn (Assistant Director: Health & Environmental Services) on [email protected]
In order to complete your application, please download and read the job description attached. You will find the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification section, so please ensure you address this in your supporting statement.
All external candidates are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks and a 6-month probationary period. This role also requires a basic DBS check.
Please be aware that the City of Lincoln Council does not hold a UKVI sponsor licence and is therefore unable to sponsor work visas. If you think you may require a visa to work in the UK, please refer to UK Visas & Immigration before applying as you may be eligible to work in the UK via an alternative visa route.
As a Disability Confident Scheme employer, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the vacancy.
