Key information:

Location: Bristol.
Salary: £42,000 - 45,000 + benefits.
23 days annual leave + public holidays.
Flexible working arrangement.

Wesport (West of England Sport Trust) helps people and communities benefit from the transformative power of physical activity. The Charity supports organisations to improve the delivery of sport and physical activity initiatives across the region.

The advantages of an active lifestyle are undeniable. Beyond the well-documented physical and mental benefits, studies link exercise to stronger relationships, academic/workplace success, a more integrated social life, and even reduced crime rates. Despite these benefits, two-thirds of people aged 16+ in the West of England live inactive lives.

Wesport aims to inspire active lives, creating the conditions wherever possible to help everyone move more. They look to establish conditions for long-term change, creating inclusive structures and enabling everyone to be physically active. The organisation collaborates with local authorities in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire to:

Improve community opportunities for physical activities and sport
Influence decision-makers to reduce barriers to physical activity
Provide leadership, expertise and resources to enhance the variety and accessibility of sporting opportunities
Promote active lifestyles in educational environments.

The organisation is seeking a Director of Place and Communities to aid the development and implementation of Wesport’s strategy.

In this Executive Leadership role, you’ll build strategic relationships across the communities that Wesport operates in, utilising national and regional strategy, priorities and plans. You will lead the utilisation of Sport England’s funding across places and communities, including the Movement Fund and Place Investment while supporting the planning and management of other programmes and projects. Furthermore, you’ll provide motivational leadership to staff, promoting place-based and whole-system thinking. You will also help develop resources that measure the Charity’s local and overall impact.

Wesport hope to hear from skilled communicators, with experience leading and developing high-performing teams. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of forging strong relationships and successful partnerships, ideally within physical activity, health/wellbeing or the VCSE sector. They will be proficient in advocacy and influencing upwards, with experience reporting and presenting to key stakeholders, funders and other influential parties. Additionally, the Director of Place and Communities will understand the inequalities that prevent equitable access to active lifestyles. They will be able to motivate and inspire others towards a shared goal and be committed to continuous self-improvement and Wesport’s values.

This is an exciting opportunity to improve lives and communities in the West of England through physical activity.

For further details and to apply, please contact Sandy Hinks via recruit@moonexecsearch.com quoting the applicable reference number: MC2545