New Start

Salary: £100k+ (pay award pending)

Location: Salford, Greater Manchester

Job Type: Full Time

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time

About the role

Salford Community Leisure (SCL) is looking for a strategic, dynamic, inclusive and politically astute leader with a track record of delivering service improvement within complex organisations. The CEO will be accountable to SCL’s board and the wider membership, develop the strategic direction of the business and lead the organisation to deliver a rolling medium‑term effective business plan. The role requires a wide‑ranging set of skills, capabilities and experience, proven leadership and credibility at the highest level, and a capacity to navigate high levels of public interest, board, community and stakeholder engagement, alongside the ability to inspire teams and build a culture of trust, integrity and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Lead the organisation through the next phase of its evolution, maintaining and building upon its established reputation and influence.

Deliver public value in a complex, high‑profile environment, balancing social impact with income generation.

Develop and implement strategic plans, ensuring operational management, financial performance and compliance meet the society’s aims and statutory obligations.

Foster an inclusive and inspiring working culture, promoting continuous improvement across sport, culture, libraries and community services.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience and strategic credibility.
• Commercial acuity and social value understanding.
• The empathy, insight and imagination to shape an inclusive and inspiring working culture.

Working arrangements

The role will involve regular on‑site presence but SCL is also geared up for hybrid working. The CEO may work from home where reasonable, attending the office or various premises in line with company policy where possible.

SCL is an equal opportunities employer and strives to create an inclusive culture where talent can flourish. All appointments are made based on merit; however, we particularly encourage applications from women, people from minority ethnic communities, LGBTQ+ people and disabled people.