Active Leeds Development Officer (Young People Leadership)

As a Development Officer with a focus on young people, you’ll thrive on working with those that are less active, managing co‑produced projects and exploring innovative ideas, turning them into practical solutions. Working across priority wards, you’ll collaborate with partners and young people to design and deliver mentoring, training and development programmes that meet their needs. The overall aim is to reduce inactivity by creating environments that support healthy lifestyles.

Location: John Charles Centre for Sport, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 5DJ

Salary: £38,220 to £40,777 PO1

Contract: Fixed term 2‑year contract (up to March 2028); secondment opportunity considered with line manager approval

Hours: Full Time

About the role

The Get Set Leeds project is a 2‑year Sport England funded initiative that supports the Physical Activity Ambition: “Leeds is a place where everyone moves more every day” and contributes to the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth, Strong Communities and Sustainable City. The Development Officer will work with local residents in priority wards, focusing on health inequalities, to build capacity and capabilities for young people. The role involves setting up and co producing mentoring, training and development programmes, building partnerships, and ensuring sustainable delivery for young leaders.

About you

• Knowledge and experience of inactivity, health, recreational and sport and physical activity development work
• Experience working with disadvantaged communities and those underrepresented in sport and physical activity
• Experience engaging with young people and families and working with schools
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to meet tight deadlines for complex projects

Benefits

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• Staff benefits to support wellbeing and financial welfare

Diversity and Inclusion

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans, LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care‑experienced people.

Responsibilities

• Develop strong and effective working relationships with key stakeholders, partners and other relevant organisations to create opportunities
• Lead the development and implementation of a young leader and mentoring programme, including designing and delivering training programmes to develop ambassadors and young leaders
• Mentor young leaders, empowering them to improve their own and others’ wellbeing through reward and recognition schemes
• Develop opportunities and pathways to enhance the workforce of young leaders, volunteers and coaches
• Use relevant local and national research, insight and knowledge to develop successful interventions and programmes of work
• Establish effective communication mechanisms with stakeholders, partners, community organisations and young people, including reports, social media platforms and marketing assets
• Co‑produce programmes that enable positive experiences for young people
• Facilitate understanding of relevant principles such as trauma‑informed approaches and physical literacy for those working in sport, education, physical activity, recreation, play, health and youth sectors
• Collaborate with evaluation partners to develop data and insight methods, ensuring programmes deliver positive impact and share learning with partners and stakeholders
• Commit to training and development in Evaluation and Learning and contribute to related workshops and partnerships
• Contribute to understanding of conditions that support young people in accessing employment, training and education opportunities
• Maintain regular contact with young people and adults identified through the project, offering advice on any issues that may prevent participation
• Adopt a community development approach, supporting partners, organisations and groups to develop sustainable delivery models within local communities
• Identify external funding opportunities to support sustainable community sport and physical activity projects within local communities
• Support the ongoing development and improvement of Active Leeds Service and related programmes, such as Breeze, by promoting innovation and finding solutions for development areas
• Identify issues preventing greater access to physical activity and sporting opportunities, developing ways to overcome them
• Develop networks of communication including Ward members, Community Committees, voluntary and statutory agencies, community groups and individuals
• Address social inclusion, integration and inequality issues in local communities through sport and active recreation initiatives
• Direct and supervise project workers, casual coaches and volunteers
• Manage budgets in accordance with Leeds City Council's Financial Regulations
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the post grade
• Account for the post duties in line with council policies including Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety policies

Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience of inactivity, health, recreational and sport and physical activity development work
• Experience at a strategic level
• Experience organising sports and community development programmes; ability to produce and implement development plans
• Experience working with schools, community groups and council departments
• Experience developing innovative partnerships with regional and local organisations and networks
• Marketing and promotion experience; ability to organise, promote and market activities or programmes
• Experience with disadvantaged communities and underrepresented groups in sport and physical activity
• Knowledge of local and national school sport development initiatives
• Knowledge of local, regional and national sports organisations relevant to young people
• Knowledge of funding initiatives for sport for young people
• Knowledge of the benefits of participation in sport, physical activity and active recreation
• IT software application knowledge
• Knowledge of sport, physical activity, play and health intervention programmes
• Effective communication with a wide range of organisations
• Ability to work within tight budgets
• Programme management skills across varied programmes
• Ability to meet tight deadlines for complex projects
• Teamwork and independent initiative, identifying needs and resolving problems with practical solutions
• Report preparation and presentation skills
• Research and monitoring & evaluation data capture and interpretation skills
• Experience working with young people and families
• Strong interpersonal skills, conveying energy, commitment and passion for improving health outcomes for young people

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

• Commitment to continuous improvement and contributing to the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth, Strong Communities and Sustainable City
• Understanding and observance of Leeds City Council policies and procedures
• Adherence to Health, Safety and Wellbeing responsibilities for employees
• Willingness to participate in appraisal, training and development activities maintaining up‑to‑date skills
• Flexibility and adaptability to change to support other services as required at the grade level
• Support for equality and diversity, ensuring anti‑discriminatory practice and upholding Leeds City Council’s equality and diversity policies
• Recognition and appropriate challenge of any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation or abuse; reporting concerns to the appropriate person
• Compliance with the council’s flexibility protocol, working within its parameters

Desirable Requirements

• Experience preparing funding applications
• Experience managing and motivating staff
• Experience tutoring in education courses
• Experience in event organisation
• Knowledge of employment programmes
• Ability to translate strategic direction into practical actions