Head of Leisure Operations

Interim Head of Leisure Operations

Location: Liverpool (4–5 days on site)

Rate: £535 per day PAYE / £706.79 Umbrella

Contract: 6 months (26 weeks)

Start: May 2026

We are currently supporting a large, forward-thinking public sector organisation in the North West to appoint an Interim Head of Leisure Operations to provide immediate leadership across a diverse and high-profile leisure portfolio.

This is a critical interim assignment focused on stabilising performance, driving service improvement, and shaping the future operating model of leisure services across a major city.

The Role

* Reporting into senior leadership, you will take full responsibility for the strategic and operational delivery of leisure services, including:

* Leading multi-site operations across leisure centres, swimming pools and sports facilities

* Driving improvements in operational performance, customer experience and participation levels

* Ensuring full compliance across health & safety, safeguarding and statutory regulations

* Managing significant budgets, with a focus on commercial performance and income generation

* Leading and developing large, multidisciplinary teams

* Supporting organisational change and workforce development initiatives

* Building strong partnerships across health, community and sports sectors

* Contributing to longer-term strategy around leisure services and estate planning

About You

* We are looking for a proven senior leader with:

* Extensive experience in leisure operations, sport, or similar frontline service environments

* A track record of managing multi-site operations or complex estates

* Strong financial and commercial acumen, including budget oversight and income growth

* Experience delivering service transformation and performance improvement

* Excellent leadership capability, with experience managing large teams and organisational change

* Strong understanding of compliance, health & safety and operational risk

* Public sector or local authority experience is highly desirable.

Key Information

* On-site requirement: 4–5 days per week in Liverpool (non-negotiable)

* Inside IR35

* Interviews will take place on-site in Liverpool

Why Apply?

This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a visible and impactful leadership role, helping shape how leisure services contribute to community health and wellbeing across a major UK city