Royal Borough of Greenwich
Sport, Leisure and Libraries Manager
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Sport, Leisure and Libraries Manager
Royal Borough of Greenwich | Department of Communities, Environment and Central
Location
The Woolwich Centre
Contract & Compensation
- Salary: £52,194 (band PO5)
- Type: 1-year fixed-term contract
- Closing date: 17th July 2026
- Candidate selection: 29th July 2026
- Interviews: 5th–11th August 2026
About Royal Greenwich
Royal Greenwich is a dynamic borough—rich in history yet fiercely ahead-looking, home to London’s youngest and most diverse population. Our sport, leisure, and library services lie at the heart of communities, driving health, learning, social connection, and civic pride.
We’re at a moment of transformative ambition:
- Woolwich Waves (our new flagship leisure centre) now stands as an unrivalled hub for the borough.
- A revitalised Playing Pitch Strategy explores 2036 opportunities, while major planning frameworks (e.g., the Thamesmead Masterplan) are shaping the borough’s future.
- A discussion begins on an enduring replacement for Thamesmere Leisure Centre.
- Collaborations with strategic partners—GLA, Sport England, Kent Cricket, England Hockey, NHS, LTA, RFU, Mencap, Arts Council England—aim to make Greenwich a more active, connected, and healthier place.
Our strategic work now: A Physical Activity and Sport Strategy refresh (2026+), where the successful applicant will:
"Contribute materially to shaping this strategy, collaborative with Public Health, to set the direction for sport and physical activity in Royal Greenwich for years."
About the Contract
This 1-year fixed-term position will support:
- Internal backfilling while an acting role transitions.
- High-impact, time-bound projects in the midst of structural service transformation.
About the Role
Reporting to the Head of Sport, Leisure & Libraries, this role will:
- Serve as the Council’s senior client manager for the GLL leisure contract.
- Oversee library service strategy.
- Drive service modernisation across sport, leisure, and libraries, including savings and contract reviews.
- Play a key role in capital projects, partnerships, and leadership, including representing the service in internal/external forums and deputising for the Head of Service.
- Engage daily with hundreds of thousands of Greenwich residents.
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Key Responsibilities
1. Contract & Performance
- Deliver high-performance monitoring for the GLL leisure contract, ensuring financial integrity, value for money, and resident-focused outcomes.
- Lead savings analyses and contract reviews to enhance service delivery.
- Track progress and report to Head of Service, Directors, and Members.
2. Strategy & Place
- Collaborate with Public Health to refine the Physical Activity and Sport Strategy (2026+)—translating it into action.
- Advise on Thamesmead Infrastructure Delivery Plan and major regeneration frameworks, championing sport/leisure/library needs.
- operationalise the playing pitch strategy and libraries strategy.
3. Capital, Partnerships, & Leadership
- Steward capital projects and Section 106/CIL-funded schemes internally and with cross-sector partners.
- Represent the service at GLA, Sport England, and NGB (National Governing Body) events, and deputise for the Head of Service as needed.
Requirements
Essential Experience
- Proven expertise in leisure/facility management, particularly large-scale contracts.
- Strong track record of:
- Contract oversight and performance improvement (especially in public sector).
- Strategic partnerships with Sport England, NHS, Arts Council England, and NGBs.
- Strategy development and physical activity/leisure or library-related planning.
- Articulating complex information in clear briefings for Directors/Members.
- Juggling high-pressure, multi-stream workloads with tight deadlines.
- Local government exposure, particularly with procurement or contract management.
- Exceptional communication skills spanning operational teams and leadership forums.
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Preferred
- Formal training/qualifications in public sector contract management.
Note:compassionate applications from candidates who don’t meet all criteria but bring relevant adjacent skills are welcomed.
What We Offer
- A high-impact role at the forefront of London’s most ambitious leisure, sport, and library sector.
- Hybrid work model (base at Woolwich Centre, frequent visits to 7 leisure centres and 12 libraries).
- Flexibility: scope for some remote work and days at home.
- Secure pension under the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- 36+ days’ annual leave (with additional local government allowances).
- Discounted GLL membership to keep active/prioritise health.
- Personal development support for career growth.
- Free use of GLL sports/gym facilities.
Contact & Applications
For an informal discussion, reach: Asad Sajid at Asad.Sajid@royalgreenwich.gov.uk or +44 (0)20 8921 6637.
Reasonable Adjustments
We prioritise offering equitable access. To discuss adjustments (or alternative formats for this advert), contact Asad using the details above.
Diversity & Inclusion
Royal Greenwich values the diversity of its communities and actively encourages applications from all sections of society.
Application Note
- Applications close at midnight (17th July 2026).
- Early closure possible for high response volume.
- Shortlisting is based on how candidate statements address the Person Specification (included with the advert).
- Specify how you meet each specified point; this criterion is essential for evaluation.
Staff Values
All applications are screened against a rigorous staff values framework; non-compliance may lead to rejection.
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