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