At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage Sport and Leisure Services, driving transformation and promoting community wellbeing.
- Company: Colchester City Council, a forward-thinking local government authority.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, pension scheme, and discounts on gym and travel.
- Other info: Join a collaborative environment with excellent training and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community health and leisure while leading a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Degree level education or equivalent experience in Sport and Leisure management.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 € per year.
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: Multiple sites within the Leisure World portfolio, Civic offices and homeworking
This is a politically restricted (specified) post. Colchester City Council is committed to delivering high-quality and accessible services to residents, visitors and businesses. We are a local government authority providing a diverse range of public and commercial services across Colchester, the second largest district in Essex.
An exciting opportunity has become available to manage Colchester City Council's Sport and Leisure Services. The opportunity to lead an extensive sports and leisure operation, within a forward-thinking council that is actively working in partnership across health and multiple agencies, does not come about very often. We are looking for a dynamic and engaging individual who can work across multiple disciplines, combining commercial expertise with social value and provision of an empathetic service.
As the Head of Service for Sport and Leisure you will:
- Lead and manage Sport and Leisure Services across council-owned and dual-use sites.
- Drive transformation, cultural change, and innovation.
- Manage budgets, income streams, and ensure compliance with health and safety and data protection.
- Build partnerships and promote physical activity and wellbeing.
Duties of the role:
As an essential member of the Council’s Senior Leadership Team, you will lead the delivery of the Sport and Leisure strategy and business plan, ensuring alignment with the Council’s priorities and statutory obligations. You will champion transformation and cultural change within the service, fostering innovation and collaboration to enhance community health and wellbeing. The role requires managing significant budgets, developing income streams, and ensuring value for money through effective financial oversight, while providing inspirational leadership across workforce planning, recruitment, and performance management.
Working closely with Councillors, stakeholders, and partners, you will build strong networks, promote physical activity, and deliver healthy lifestyle initiatives that support the Council’s vision and values. In addition, you will lead change programmes, integrate services, and ensure compliance with data protection legislation while embedding a “one council” approach. You will take responsibility for delivering the highest standards of customer service across all Sport and Leisure operations, creating a culture of responsiveness, inclusivity, and continuous improvement to enhance user experience. Furthermore, you will ensure full compliance with health and safety legislation, policies, and best practice, implementing robust risk management, staff training, and maintaining safe environments for customers, staff, and partners.
Qualifications and Skills required:
To be successful in this role, you will need to be a dynamic leader educated to degree level or with equivalent experience, ideally supported by a management or coaching qualification. A relevant qualification in the service industry would be an advantage. You will bring a proven track record of leading high-quality operational services and substantial management experience within Sport and Leisure or a related field, including policy development, strategic planning, and change management. Strong commercial and financial acumen, along with experience managing large budgets and delivering complex projects, is essential. You will demonstrate inspirational leadership, with the ability to coach, mentor, and motivate teams while driving transformation and embedding organisational values. Excellent communication and negotiation skills, political awareness, and the ability to build strategic partnerships are key. We are looking for someone who is visionary, collaborative, and committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and project planning tools, alongside an understanding of data protection legislation, will ensure you succeed in this role.
What We Offer:
The Council encourages all employees to maximise their potential. You will be entitled to join an attractive pension scheme and will receive a generous annual leave entitlement, including two extra company holidays during the Christmas period. Other benefits include:
- Flexible working
- Gym, travel and online retail discounts
- Excellent training, development and progression opportunities
For an informal discussion about this vacancy, please contact Nick Cave, Interim Head of Service, Nick.Cave@colchester.gov.uk
Colchester City Council has a wide range of services and facilities that can involve dealing with children or vulnerable adults. We treat our obligations for the safety of children and vulnerable adults seriously and expect our staff to be committed to the principles of our published policies and to adhere to the procedures contained within them.
Head of Sport and Leisure in Essex employer: Colchester City Council
Colchester City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and community wellbeing are at the forefront. With a commitment to employee development, flexible working arrangements, and a generous benefits package including a robust pension scheme and training opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive in their roles. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of residents and visitors while enjoying a collaborative and inclusive culture across multiple leisure sites in the vibrant district of Colchester.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Sport and Leisure in Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the sport and leisure industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, make sure to express your enthusiasm for promoting physical activity and wellbeing. Let them see how your vision aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you would handle challenges in managing budgets or leading teams. Practise your responses so you can showcase your experience and problem-solving skills confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows you're serious about the role and gives us a chance to see your enthusiasm right from the start.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Sport and Leisure in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Sport and Leisure role. Highlight your experience in managing sports and leisure services, and how you've driven transformation and innovation in previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see your dynamic leadership style! Share examples of how you've inspired teams, managed budgets, and built partnerships in your past positions. This is your chance to shine!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your achievements and how they align with the Council’s vision for promoting physical activity and wellbeing.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people and shows you’re serious about joining our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Colchester City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Sport and Leisure sector, especially within local government. Brush up on Colchester City Council’s current initiatives and how they align with your vision for transformation and community health.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and driving change. Think about times when you’ve successfully managed budgets or implemented innovative strategies that improved service delivery.
✨Build Connections
Demonstrate your ability to build partnerships by discussing previous collaborations with stakeholders. Be ready to share how you’ve promoted physical activity and wellbeing in your past roles.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Prepare for scenarios related to compliance, risk management, and customer service to show you can handle the responsibilities of the role.
