At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead workforce development and build strong employer partnerships in the Southeast.
- Company: Join CIMSPA, a leader in sport and physical activity workforce development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel expenses covered, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with extensive travel and regular collaboration at our Loughborough office.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the sport sector while connecting with diverse stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Experience in partnership management and a passion for workforce development.
The predicted salary is between 38865 - 43300 € per year.
Join our Workforce Development team and play a key role in growing the profile of CIMSPA through professional recognition, partnerships and local skills. You will lead on delivering local Sport & Physical Activity Skills Plans, build long-term employer relationships, and drive engagement with CIMSPA's professional pathways in your region as part of our UK-wide team. Teamwork, peer learning and innovation are central to successfully delivering against our commercial and Sport England targets.
We are looking for a natural people-connector with strong partnership management experience, commercial acumen, and a deep understanding of the sport and physical activity sector. In this role, you will spend significant time working with our stakeholders and influencing at all levels, supporting employers to develop and recognise their workforce, and driving a more skilled, impactful workforce in the sector. You have a track record of meeting targets, generating income across multiple revenue streams, and understanding education and workforce development needs. To really thrive in this role, you will be someone who communicates with ease and genuinely connects with people. Extensive travel across the Southeast and regular time at our Loughborough Head Office (expenses covered) are required. If you are passionate about workforce development, collaboration, and making a difference, we would love to hear from you.
Key tasks include but are not limited to:
- Relationship & Account Management
- Build and maintain strong employer partnerships, using local insight to shape skills plans
- Promote professional recognition and support employers to engage with CIMSPA pathways
- Manage a partner portfolio to retain relationships, grow income, and prevent churn
- Lead workforce planning discussions to understand employer skills needs
- Convert prospective leads into active partners and support effective onboarding with internal teams
- Income Generation
- Drive commercial income through partnerships and professional status growth
- Meet set income targets by converting new employers and increasing yield from existing partners
- Support accreditation, reaccreditation and professional status upgrades
- Develop skills development proposals and identify new revenue opportunities
- Local Influencing
- Lead the development and delivery of local skills plans with regional stakeholders
- Advocate for accredited and endorsed learning across employers and education providers
- Strengthen links between CIMSPA, employers, and education institutions to align skills with workforce needs
- Position CIMSPA within wider local and cross-sector skills initiatives
- Tracking & Measurement
- Monitor and report on partnership activity, income performance, and skills plan progress
- Use Dynamics CRM to manage data, track interactions, and support reporting on trends
- Communication
- Work with Marcomms, accreditation, and education teams to create content, support onboarding, and align development opportunities.
- Represent CIMSPA at events and engage stakeholders through clear, influential communication.
Salary: £38,865 per annum
Closing date: Thursday 8th January 2026 at 9am. First stage: video interview submissions required by Monday 12th January 2026. Second stage: interviews will be held at SportPark, Loughborough University on Tuesday 20th or Wednesday 21st January 2026.
Remote role with substantial local travel requirements. Travel expenses are covered. Occasional attendance at CIMSPA's Head Office in Loughborough approximately every 6 weeks. Candidates ideally reside within or near the designated areas (East and West Sussex, Kent & Hampshire).
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Other
Industries: IT Services and IT Consulting
Workforce Development Manager Southeast (East and West Sussex, Kent & Hampshire) employer: CIMSPA
CIMSPA is an exceptional employer that champions workforce development in the sport and physical activity sector. With a strong focus on teamwork, innovation, and professional recognition, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture that encourages personal growth and meaningful contributions to local communities. The role of Workforce Development Manager offers extensive travel opportunities across the Southeast, regular engagement with stakeholders, and the chance to make a significant impact while enjoying comprehensive support for professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Workforce Development Manager Southeast (East and West Sussex, Kent & Hampshire)
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the sport and physical activity sector. Attend local events, workshops, or meet-ups to build relationships and showcase your passion for workforce development. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your experiences and successes in partnership management and income generation. Let them see how you can drive engagement and make a real impact.
✨Be Prepared for Interviews
Before your interview, research CIMSPA and its initiatives. Prepare to discuss how you can contribute to their goals and align with their values. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Workforce Development Manager Southeast (East and West Sussex, Kent & Hampshire)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Workforce Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in partnership management and workforce development, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your People Skills:Since this role is all about connecting with people, don’t shy away from sharing examples of how you've built strong relationships in the past. We love to see candidates who can communicate effectively and influence stakeholders at all levels.
Demonstrate Your Commercial Acumen:We’re keen on candidates who understand income generation and can meet targets. Include specific achievements related to revenue growth or successful partnerships in your application to show us you mean business!
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at CIMSPA
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the key responsibilities of a Workforce Development Manager. Familiarise yourself with CIMSPA's mission, values, and the specific skills plans relevant to the Southeast region. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and passion during the interview.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
Since this role is all about building relationships, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed partnerships in the past. Think of specific instances where your communication skills made a difference, and be prepared to discuss how you can apply those experiences to engage stakeholders effectively.
✨Prepare for Income Generation Questions
Expect questions about how you would drive commercial income and meet targets. Have a few strategies in mind that you've used before or ideas on how to approach income generation in this role. This shows you're proactive and ready to contribute from day one.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Local Insights
Since you'll be working closely with local employers and stakeholders, come prepared with insights about the sport and physical activity sector in East and West Sussex, Kent, and Hampshire. This could include trends, challenges, or opportunities that you’ve identified, which will demonstrate your commitment to the role and the region.
