Job Description
Life Leisure are recruiting for an Active Communities Officer to lead our work of engaging adults to be more physically active across the Borough. We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic individual to recognise the philosophy of the preferred behaviours at Life Leisure and support a growing physical activity culture across Stockport.
You will work closely with colleagues in the Active Communities and PARiS teams to ensure high quality provision can be accessed by those most in need. You will also be required to work closely with our network of partners to lead interventions which will create a wide and varied offer for our residents. An experienced communicator and team player, you will also be responsible for supporting our Local Pilot programme in Stockport.
To apply for this role please can you send a CV and a covering letter (two pages maximum) on why you feel you are suitable for the role.
The philosophy at Life Leisure is Preferred Behaviours = Personal Best, quite simply that people achieve their personal best through the display of preferred behaviours. Five main behaviour principles underpin the philosophy: Winner, Authenticity, Together, Caring and Happy – the W.A.T.C.H. principles. The below aims to give an idea of how Life Leisure expect the W.A.T.C.H. principles to be demonstrated by the Active Communities Officer.
Winner:-
• To develop and co-ordinate a diverse Adult physical activity programme called “I Wish I’d Tried” throughout the community ensuring high quality provision and a wide and varied offer.
• Lead and co-ordinate our SMILE programme which aims to increase activity levels in older adults across the borough.
• Assist with the development and planning of the Stockport Local Pilot.
• Lead on community provision ensuring that those most in need can access our service.
• Develop and manage a range of initiatives which directly impact upon key national, regional and local Life Leisure objectives.
• To be responsible for the work programme of the community sports coaches, community sports activators, casual coaches and instructors.
• Determined, highly self motivated and enthusiastic.
• Be an experienced and advanced communicator with a good knowledge of our business in general.
• Be innovative.
Authenticity: –
• To be approachable, responsible and reliable.
• Display our preferred behaviours and lead by example – you will deliver high quality customer experiences.
Togetherness:-
• Able to operate effectively within a team and as an individual.
• Able to motivate and lead others.
• Lead and coordinate our teams apprenticeship offer.
• Provide a structure of support for volunteers to become involved in delivering community activities.
• Coordinate and link directly with numerous local partners including Stockport MBC, Stockport Homes Group, & Public Health.
Caring:-
• Positively influence the lifestyles of Stockport residents by managing initiatives that provide opportunities for increased levels of activity.
• To help create a supportive environment in which participants may gain personal, social and health benefits through effective communication, advice and leadership.
• Ability to relate to people from different backgrounds
• Support the delivery of a range of community events designed to promote community cohesion and pride.
• Link with existing club and voluntary structures to signpost residents towards sustainable opportunities.
Happy:-
• Enjoy your job!
• Have a passion and enthusiasm for helping people.
• Make sure that customers have fun whilst at Life Leisure
• Develop and maintain effective and positive working relationships with all colleagues, customers and community organisations.
• Be a positive role model, creating a positive and fun environment in which to motivate and encourage other people to participate in sport.

Additional Preferred Experience, Skills & Qualifications:
• Minimum of 3 years experience working in a sport or physical activity setting.
• Experience and knowledge of planning and delivering sport and physical activity sessions to a variety of participants.
• Ability to relate to inactive adults and young people.
• Organised with the ability to effectively manage priorities and time.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and the welfare of adults.
• Ability to plan, monitor and evaluate.
• Experience of writing successful funding bids and the associated reporting.
• Experience and working knowledge of the sport development and leisure industry.
• Experience of generating regular income through delivery.
• Ability to work on own initiative and to work as part of a wider team.
• Ability to understand and deal with sensitive issues that may arise.
• Willingness to undertake further qualifications for development within the role.
• Strong IT skills.
• Current valid driving license.

How to apply
The closing date for applications is Monday 4th April, 12pm. If you would like an informal discussion, please contact Ross McGuigan, Active Communities Manager on ross.mcguigan@lifeleisure.net