At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead partnerships to drive community health and activity initiatives across Cheshire & Warrington.
- Company: Active Cheshire promotes inclusivity and healthier lifestyles through sport and physical activity.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25 days annual leave, and a supportive development programme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in communities while collaborating with diverse partners for positive change.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in project management and community engagement are essential.
- Other info: Open to innovative applicants; video cover letters are encouraged!
The predicted salary is between 25500 - 30500 £ per year.
Department: Strategy
Reports to: Senior Strategic Project Lead – Place Partnerships
Salary Banding: £30,500 - £32,500
Location: Flexible working with a dedicated office space in Winsford, Cheshire
Duration: Fixed-term contract for 12 months
About Active Cheshire
Active Cheshire is a value-led organisation who lives and breathes our core values of: Inclusivity, Collaboration, Integrity, Passion, Innovation. Our vision is to see more people, more active, more often living longer, happier, healthier lives. We will connect sport, physical activity, and movement opportunities across Cheshire & Warrington to provide fairer and greater access for all, whilst tackling health inequalities.
Nature & Scope
In line with the Sport England Uniting The Movement strategy and Active Cheshire’s own strategy, we know that great things happen in local communities when people from that community are at the heart of their development. Building strong ‘place-based’ partnerships around shared purpose and utilising place learning to drive strategic decisions will enable long-term, sustainable change.
Accountabilities (not exhaustive)
- Governance and leadership – to support sound governance and leadership exists with Sponsors for each place area appointed and governance structure embedded to mitigate risk and maximise impact
- Stronger partnerships – to support an environment of trust on which collaborative relationships will be formed, with clear roles and commitments from key stakeholders
- Clarity of purpose – To support communications of a unified vision and purpose with shared objectives, ensuring alignment across all involved partners.
- Conditions for change defined – support the measurement of indicators of conditions for change, providing a framework for ongoing evaluation, learning and impact
- Knowledge consolidation – support networks where insights from existing work will be integrated, reducing duplication and enhancing efficiency in future phases.
- Readiness for implementation – support the development of the ‘full-award’ application.
Relationships
Strong, meaningful and collaborative relationships will be the key to the successful delivery of this role. Key internal relationships include those with the Head of Strategy, the staff team, and the CEO. Externally, Sport England and the wider Active Partnership network, place Sponsors, strategic and community partners.
Impact
Success will not be easily, but when it is delivered it will be hugely impactful. Our identified localities in Crewe, Ellesmere Port and Warrington Central will have embedded leaders aligned to our mission, partner networks who collaborate and learn freely with each other to share good practice and reduce/remove duplication.
Person Specification
The skills and attributes outlined in this description are not exhaustive and we welcome candidates who can bring different relevant experiences to the role.
Skills & Knowledge
- Relationship building (at a local, sub-regional and national level)
- Strong initiative and finisher (seeing ideas through to successful delivery)
- Excellent communication (both verbal and written)
- Group leadership (leading conversations and driving actions based on shared priorities)
- Project management (developing and reporting upon progress)
- Networking (ensuring new organisations are knowledgeable and involved)
- Training (organising and delivering training)
- Prioritisation (securely understanding what’s important amongst competing influences)
- Resilient, adaptive and responsive (when navigating through changing, complex and sometimes uncertain environments)
- Digital technology (proficiency with MS Office and other software)
- Ability to travel and work evenings and/or weekends.
Knowledge & Experience
- Understanding of barriers and enablers to physical activity for the least active groups within society
- Knowledge of networks, community partners and local organisations in Cheshire & Warrington
- Ability to build positive and sustainable stakeholder relationships at all levels
- Ability to bridge gaps between community partners and the local strategic landscape, with a focus on co-creation and co-design
- Project planning, management and delivery (including projects involving multiple partners)
- Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation principles in physical activity settings
- Reporting on evaluation, learning and insight to different audiences
- Facilitation of partner discussions around learning and insight, with a view to improve ways of working and expand on success
- Utilising learning and insight to expand successful models across different communities and embed meaningful change
- Sharing local learning on a regional and national level, adding to connectivity of learning and further demonstrating value of the sport and physical activity sector
- Working closely with colleagues within a multidisciplinary team, allowing for connectivity across workstreams and shared learning
- Understanding of issues affecting equity and inequalities in physical activity and communities
- Involvement with funding applications
- Experience of managing budgets
- Experience of commissioning services
What can we offer to you
- Competitive salary in line with market expectations, regularly reviewed and benchmarked
- 25 days annual leave and a hybrid working policy
- 5% contribution to Company Pension Scheme, and an extensive HealthShield Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing 24/7 immediate support
- 4x Life cover for death in service
- Personalised development programmes for all members of staff
How to Apply
Active Cheshire is a ‘Disability Confident’ and ‘Mindful Employer’ and as such we commit to offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job. Our recruitment processes comply with the Equalities Act 2010, and people who have or are experiencing mental ill health will not be discriminated against.
To apply for this role, please send a CV and covering letter detailing how your skills and experience make you an appropriate candidate for this role.
Project Officer – Place Partnerships employer: Active Cheshire
Contact Detail:
Active Cheshire Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Officer – Place Partnerships
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Active Cheshire's core values and mission. Understanding their focus on inclusivity, collaboration, and tackling health inequalities will help you align your approach and demonstrate your commitment to their vision during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the physical activity sector, especially those involved with Sport England or local community organisations in Cheshire & Warrington. Building relationships can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in building partnerships and leading collaborative projects. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully navigated complex environments and driven change, as these skills are crucial for the Project Officer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends and challenges in physical activity and community health. Being knowledgeable about barriers to participation and effective strategies for engagement will position you as a well-informed candidate who can contribute meaningfully to the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Officer – Place Partnerships
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and expectations of the Project Officer – Place Partnerships role. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills align with their needs.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, clearly articulate your passion for promoting physical activity and community engagement. Use specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your ability to build partnerships and lead projects effectively.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Make sure to emphasise your relationship-building skills, project management experience, and understanding of community dynamics in Cheshire & Warrington. These are crucial for the role and should be evident in both your CV and cover letter.
Consider a Video Submission: If you choose to submit a video cover letter, ensure it is concise and focused. Highlight your relevant experience and enthusiasm for the role within the 5-minute limit. This can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Active Cheshire
✨Understand the Organisation's Values
Before your interview, make sure you know Active Cheshire's core values: Inclusivity, Collaboration, Integrity, Passion, and Innovation. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and provide examples of how you've demonstrated these in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
As a Project Officer, you'll need to build strong partnerships. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully built relationships in the past, particularly in community or collaborative settings. Highlight your ability to create trust and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Your Project Management Experience
Be ready to discuss your project management skills, especially in contexts involving multiple partners. Share examples of projects you've led, focusing on how you managed timelines, resources, and stakeholder expectations to achieve successful outcomes.
✨Prepare for Questions on Community Engagement
Given the role's focus on reducing health inequalities and increasing physical activity, expect questions about your understanding of barriers to participation. Be prepared to discuss strategies you've used to engage underrepresented communities and how you would apply those strategies in Cheshire & Warrington.