Healthy Communities Manager - Full Time - Forest of Dean

Are you passionate about improving lives through leisure?

Freedom Leisure are committed to contributing to a happier and healthier nation. Community Leisure is about more than fitness and gym provision; we want our customers to have fun, improve themselves, feel included, not be judged and importantly have access to our supportive teams and their expertise.

The leisure sector increasingly contributes to community healthcare and our Healthy Communities Team are intrinsic to our current and future success; supporting communities to live active and healthy lives. To achieve this, we are recruiting a driven and innovative Healthy Communities Manager to manage our health and physical activity programme across Forest of Dean.

The Healthy Communities Manager will strategically develop, manage and deliver Freedom Leisure’s Healthy Communities programme, centred on meeting population needs, promoting positive behaviour change and supporting local residents to lead a healthy & active lifestyle.

Our ideal candidate will have strong relationship management skills, be an excellent communicator and have a successful track record in managing health-related projects within community-settings. With experience in sports development, physical activity and/or Health Referral and familiar with the Les Mills structure, we are looking for someone who can manage resources to deliver quality-assured programmes that are supported by national guidance, best practice and can evidence their impact.

We are looking for someone with demonstrable experience of securing external funding but most importantly the ability to work collaboratively with partners from the public, private, community and voluntary sector to deliver sustainable, participant- focused services.

The role requires you to have a valid driving licence, and access to a car, as you will be required to travel across Forest of Dean and to various locations across the country.

In the event that a high volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.
Hours: 37 hours a week, to meet the demands of the business.

• A degree or equivalent and relevant management experience in physical activity, health, or a relevant discipline.
• Demonstrable experience of project-managing, developing and delivering successful health related programmes and projects both directly, and in collaboration and partnership with other agencies and partners across a broad range of sectors.
• Experience of managing, supervising and supporting coaches, instructors and volunteers to delivery a quality-assured service/project.
• Experience of monitoring and evaluating physical activity or health projects to communicate impact to internal and external stakeholders; whilst informing service development.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of health improvement: promoting positive behaviour change, tackling barriers to participation and addressing health inequalities.
• Knowledge of Health Referral pathways and the processes and procedures required to support best practice.
• Ability to plan and prioritise work – working under pressure to tight deadlines, organised and with a self-managing approach to work.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience of using Microsoft Office.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
• Proven ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with people at all levels.
• A real commitment to improving lives through leisure and promoting equalities.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Mobility to travel.

Desirable

• An accredited project management qualification or equivalent demonstrable project management experience.
• Experience of financial management processes; managing income/ expenditure and securing funding.
• Group exercise qualification - Les Mills (training can be provided)

We want you to love coming to work, feeling healthy, happy and valued. That's why we've developed a benefits package with you in mind, so what can we offer you?

• My Staff Shop, our very own staff benefit scheme, gives employees access to a great range of benefits. Get discounts on cinema tickets, travel bookings, high street e-vouchers, gift cards, days out, leisure activities and your day to day spending.
• Discounted Staff membership (including family members)
• Incremental holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 confidential, independent and professional counselling.
• Company pension
• Various insurance and saving schemes
• Financial advice
• Cycle-to-work and Car Leasing tax-efficient schemes (salaried staff only, depending on earnings).
• All this as well as fully funded training and career progression opportunities in a team working environment supporting your local community to improve lives through leisure.

Closing date: 11th July 2025