STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP LEAD: COVENTRY

Think Active is entering an exciting period of growth, collaboration and system leadership. Over the coming years, we aim to strengthen our influence and impact across Coventry, Solihull & Warwickshire, particularly in tackling inequalities through the power of sport and physical activity. At the heart of our work is our vision: Everyone in Coventry, Solihull & Warwickshire to benefit from movement and enjoy sport and physical activity in safe and thriving communities. Our mission is to use the power and potential of sport and physical activity to enable future generations to have healthier and more prosperous lives.

This new role of Strategic Partnership Lead: Coventry has been created following successful investment through Sport England's Place Expansion programme for Coventry. The role will provide strategic leadership for the implementation and coordination of the Sport England Place Expansion investment across Coventry, including supporting the development and implementation of the emerging Coventry Physical Activity Partnership. The role reflects the growing recognition that physical activity has an important role to play in improving health, reducing inequalities and strengthening communities across Coventry.

The postholder will be employed by Think Active but will work on behalf of the Coventry Physical Activity Partnership, bringing together partners from across sectors around a shared vision and agenda for change. Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, pre-employment checks, a DBS check and proof of the right to work in the UK.

BASE LOCATION & WORKING APPROACH

Think Active's headquarters are at 1 Mill Street in Leamington Spa; however, this role will also be expected to work from a range of locations across Coventry, reflecting the partnership and place-based nature of the role. This role requires a strong commitment to system working, including engaging with partners and stakeholders where they are and at times that best support collaboration and impact. As such, there may be a requirement for occasional evening and weekend work. There will also be occasional travel regionally and nationally to support partnership working, learning, and organisational priorities.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE

• Uphold the values, culture and customer charter of Think Active in your behaviour and your work.
• Reporting to the Development Director, the Strategic Partnership Lead: Coventry will act as a senior leader within Think Active, shaping our strategic role and leading the implementation of the Sport England Place Expansion investment across Coventry, ensuring strong partnership working, effective programme delivery and a collaborative, community-centred approach.
• The role will play a key part in ensuring physical activity is embedded within wider system priorities across Coventry, including health, wellbeing, inequalities, communities and place-based working.
• Lead and project manage the implementation of the Sport England Place Expansion investment across Coventry, ensuring delivery aligns with the Conditions of Award.
• Lead the development and implementation of the Place Expansion Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Framework for Coventry.
• Support the strategic development of the Coventry Physical Activity Partnership and contribute to shaping its long-term direction and priorities.
• Help position physical activity as part of the solution to wider social, health and community challenges within Coventry.
• Influence and align partners to adopt whole-system thinking and inclusive, community-centred approaches.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen collaboration, investment and impact across the Coventry system.
• Ensure the voices and experiences of communities help shape priorities, approaches and decision-making.

System Leadership

• Position physical activity and movement as a contributing solution within wider prevention, inequality, wellbeing and community agendas across Coventry.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners and stakeholders across sectors, including NHS organisations, Local Authority teams, VCFSE organisations, community groups and residents.
• Act as a trusted partner, facilitator and connector across Coventry's system landscape.
• Convene and coordinate partners around shared agendas and priorities.
• Be adept at navigating barriers and challenges to partnership working when they arise.
• Represent Think Active and the Coventry Physical Activity Partnership within relevant boards, partnerships and working groups.
• Support organisations and communities to co-design sustainable solutions that embed physical activity within communities and services.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen long-term sustainability, investment and system ownership of Coventry's Physical Activity Partnership.

Project Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Manage the Place Expansion budget and ensure effective oversight of investment and resources.
• Manage timelines, delivery plans, risks and reporting requirements.
• Ensure robust monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches are embedded throughout delivery.
• Contribute to capturing insight, learning and impact across the partnership and share this with stakeholders, including Sport England.
• Support the development of local capacity by mentoring and supporting organisations and partners.
• Ensure delivery remains aligned to community need, strategic priorities and organisational values.

Governance, Reporting and Contribution to Wider Organisational Priorities

• Prepare reports and updates for Think Active, partners, funders and governance groups as required.
• Ensure delivery aligns with organisational governance, funding requirements and reporting frameworks.
• Contribute to organisational learning and wider Think Active priorities.
• Work collaboratively across the Think Active team, avoiding siloed approaches to delivery and partnership working.
• Adhere to Think Active safeguarding, equality, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality policies.
• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role as directed by the line manager and/or Chief Executive.

PERSON SPECIFICATION: RELEVANT KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

A successful candidate for this role would be able to demonstrate the following skills, experience and knowledge:

• Qualifications
• Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant professional experience in community development, public health, sport and physical activity, social policy, partnership working or related fields.
• Experience
• Significant experience of leading or coordinating complex partnership programmes, projects or strategic initiatives across multiple organisations and stakeholders.
• Experience of working within partnership, public sector, health, community or system leadership environments.
• Proven ability to build, influence and maintain effective relationships with senior stakeholders, partners and communities.
• Experience of convening organisations and stakeholders around shared priorities, outcomes or strategic agendas.
• Experience of leading or supporting place-based, systems change or collaborative approaches to tackling inequalities.
• Experience of managing complex programmes, interconnected priorities, budgets and delivery plans.
• Experience of monitoring progress, managing risk and reporting to partners, governance groups or funders.
• Experience of amplifying community voice and lived experience to shape strategic priorities, partnership approaches or service design.
• Knowledge
• Strong understanding of the role physical activity plays in improving health and wellbeing.