Outdoor Recreation Manager

Outdoor Recreation Manager

Full-Time 40582 - 49600 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Southwark Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead outdoor sports and physical activity programmes to enhance community health and wellbeing.
  • Company: Join Southwark, a diverse borough committed to improving lives through sport.
  • Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while managing exciting outdoor facilities.
  • Qualifications: Experience in community sport development and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 40582 - 49600 £ per year.

Do you see yourself leading the future of outdoor sport and physical activity in one of London's most diverse boroughs? Can you use your expertise to increase participation in physical activity and improve health outcomes for local communities? Does the idea of managing major sports facilities, programmes and partnerships that make a lasting difference excite you? If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

Our Parks and Natural Environment Service is looking for a passionate and dedicated Outdoor Recreation Manager to join our team and help improve the health, wellbeing and quality of life of Southwark residents. This role will lead the strategic development, management and improvement of outdoor sports facilities and community physical activity programmes across the borough.

As the largest local authority social landlord in London, Southwark manages 55,000 homes and serves a young, diverse and growing population. We are committed to creating a fairer borough and tackling inequality through our Borough Plan and Southwark Stands Together programme.

What You'll Be Doing

As Outdoor Recreation Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of Southwark's outdoor sports and physical activity offer, ensuring facilities and programmes are accessible, innovative and responsive to community needs.

Key Responsibilities Include:

  • Leading the strategic management and continuous improvement of the council's outdoor sports facilities portfolio.
  • Developing and delivering programmes that increase participation in physical activity, particularly amongst underrepresented groups.
  • Building and managing partnerships with health, sport, community and funding organisations.
  • Overseeing community sports programmes and ensuring delivery of measurable health and wellbeing outcomes.
  • Managing significant revenue and capital budgets, identifying funding opportunities and supporting income generation.
  • Leading procurement, contract management and performance monitoring activities.
  • Managing and developing staff, contractors, consultants and delivery partners.
  • Ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across all areas of service delivery.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader with a passion for community sport, physical activity and improving health outcomes.

You Will Have:

  • A relevant degree or professional qualification in a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Significant experience in community sport development, physical activity programme delivery or outdoor recreation management.
  • Experience of managing contracts, commissioning services and monitoring performance.
  • Experience contributing to strategy and policy development.
  • Strong financial management skills, including budget planning and monitoring.
  • Excellent stakeholder management and partnership-building skills.
  • Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving abilities.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to engage effectively with elected members, senior officers, community groups and residents.

For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert.

Additional Information

  • Hours: 36 hours per week
  • Contract Type: Permanent
  • This role offers flexibility to combine home working with on-site collaboration, with an expectation of at least 50% office attendance. Some evening and out-of-hours working may be required.
  • The post manages a number of direct and indirect reports and works closely with contractors, coaches, volunteers and partner organisations.

Benefits And More Information

We are an organisation that is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme Requirements:

  • Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
  • Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
  • If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

Outdoor Recreation Manager employer: Southwark Council

As a leading organisation in public health, we offer a dynamic and inclusive work environment where your contributions directly impact the health and wellbeing of the Southwark community. With a commitment to professional development, our employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements, fostering a healthy work-life balance while engaging in meaningful projects that address health inequalities. Join us to be part of a diverse team dedicated to making a difference in public health through collaboration and innovation.

Southwark Council

Contact Details:

Southwark Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Outdoor Recreation Manager

Get Involved in Local Sports Communities

Dive into your local sports scene! Attend community games, coaching sessions, and meet-ups. Building relationships with coaches and team managers can help you uncover job opportunities before they even hit the job boards.

Leverage Internships and Volunteering

Even though you’re after a full-time role, don’t underestimate internships or volunteering in sports organisations. These positions not only give you hands-on experience but can also lead to permanent openings. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to make your face known in the industry!

Visit Sports Job Fairs

Keep an eye out for sports job fairs and career expos specific to the recreation management field. These events are goldmines for meeting hiring managers from organisations like Southwark Council. Bring your A-game and be ready to chat about how you can contribute to their team!

Apply Through Our Website

Don't forget to check out openings on our site! Our listings will often include positions at excellent organisations in sports recreation management, including Southwark Council. Applying directly through our platform increases your chances of getting noticed by recruiters. Let's get you that dream job!

We think you need these skills to ace Outdoor Recreation Manager

Community Sport Development
Physical Activity Programme Delivery
Outdoor Recreation Management
Contract Management
Commissioning Services
Performance Monitoring
Strategy and Policy Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.

Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!

Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!

Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining Southwark Council aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Southwark Council

Highlight Your Passion for Sports

When chatting with Southwark Council, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.

Showcase Your Management Skills

This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.

Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.

Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration

In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.