Please read all of the information provided here. Applications that do not include a CV and Covering Letter (as described in the 'How to Apply' section) will be disregarded.
About this role
The Head of Strategy (Mat. Cover) is core and central to the delivery of Active Cheshire’s Playing our Part Strategy. Your visionary leadership will drive forward resources and relationships required to implement the strategies co-create phase, and transition in our co-design phase. You will ensure maximum impact from our strategy is seen across our strategic priorities and enablers, ultimately delivering upon our strategic outcomes.
As an accomplished communicator, joiner of dots, relationship maker and inspiring leader, you will lead the strategic oversight of key project work, including, but not limited to, Sport England’s Place Partnership. You will ensure all reporting and reconciliation requirements are met and translated into useable insight for colleague and partners.
Your work will be across the full scope of Active Cheshire’s priorities, having sight of the teams direction and partnerships. Your knowledge of wider political, policy and strategy will be bedrock of your decision making, seeking alignment to local, regional and national plans at every turn.
Most importantly, you’ll have a clear vision of what an active Cheshire and Warrington looks like, and what needs to change and be implemented in order for our least active communities to become active.
About Active Cheshire
Active Cheshire is a value-led organisation that lives and breathes our core values of:
Inclusivity, Collaboration, Integrity, Passion, Innovation
Our vision is to see more people, more active, more often living longer, happier, healthier lives. We will connect sport, physical activity and movement opportunities across Cheshire & Warrington to provide fairer and greater access for all, whilst tackling health inequalities. As a funded Sport England System Partner, we will lead the physical activity system across Cheshire & Merseyside.
Nature & Scope
Working closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees to deliver the Active Cheshire Playing our Part Strategy, communicate our impact and lead a strong and dedicate internal and external workforce to remove barriers to an active life for our least active communities.
Accountabilities (not exhaustive)
* Lead the successful delivery of the Playing our Part Strategy
* Successful conclude to Strategy’s Co-design Phase, and implement the initiation of the Co-delivery phase taking an evidence-based approach
* Lead the relationship with Sport England regarding our System Partner status and other related funding streams, ensuring all reporting requirement are met
* Ensure Active Cheshire is well regarding as a System Partner through proactive relationship management, including a detailed understand of the Sport England delivery model for Active Partnerships beyond the current funding period
* Lead the strategic direction of the Sport England funded Place Partnerships for Cheshire & Warrington (Build. Move. Thrive.) and ensure the successful transition through the development and full award phases.
* Promote strategic alignment across System Partners to ensure collaborative opportunities for investment and seek to address underlying ways of working, aligned to conditions for change.
* Seek relationship and partnership opportunities locally, regionally and nationally which will maximise the impact of our work
* Co-ordinate the work of the Active Cheshire team, promoting autonomy yet hold accountability, to ensure alignment of purpose to the Strategy’s key deliverables, priorities and outcomes
* Prepare internal and external reports on the work, progress and impact of the Strategy for the CEO, Board and Partners
* Work closely with the CEO to position physical activity positively within the new Combined Authority for Cheshire and Warrington.
Working closing with the head of data and insight, consultants and data partners to understand strategic progress to work out strategic direction
Relationships
You will work collaboratively with stakeholders to lead the physical activity system in Cheshire and Warrington.
Impact
You will provide strategic leadership across the Active Cheshire team and beyond to allow people to lead longer, happier, healthier lives by increasing participation in physical activity. You will find a place for physical activity both within the prevention and treatment agenda of health care provision and seek consensus from strategic partners as to how best remove or reduce health inequalities through fairer access to physical activity opportunities.
Person Specification
The skills and attributes outlined in this description are not exhaustive and we welcome candidates who can bring different relevant experiences to the role.
Skills & experience
Essential
* Strategic thinker and joiner of dots
* A natural collaborator and relationship builder
* An established and accomplished leader of people, strategy and systems
* Proactive innovator
* Ability to keep one eye on the big picture and one on the fine detail
* An exceptional listener and reflector
* Knowledge of Sport England System Partnerships, Place Partnerships and Investment priorities
* Working knowledge and experience of systems-based monitoring, evaluation and learning
* Ability to interpret data and insight, and formulate needs-based action
* Strong communication skills
* Senior leadership experience
Desirable
* Experience working with Community and Local Trusted Organisations
* Project (develop and design) management experience
* Experience of commissioning high-quality, high-value projects, including physical activity delivery, systems leadership and research and evaluation
What can we offer to you
· Competitive salary in line with market expectations, regularly reviewed and benchmarked
· 28 days annual leave and a hybrid working policy
· 5% contribution to Company Pension Scheme, and an extensive BUPA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing 24/7 immediate support
· 4x Life cover for death in service
· Wellbeing support through Wellonomics
· Personalised development programmes for all members of staff
How to Apply
Active Cheshire is a ‘Disability Confident’ and ‘Mindful Employer’ and as such we commit to offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job. Our recruitment processes comply with the Equalities Act 2010, and people who have or are experiencing mental ill health will not be discriminated against.
Should you wish to have a confidential conversation with us about this vacancy prior to applying, please contact Amber Lomax on amber.lomax@activecheshire.org or Mike Watson on mike.watson@axtivecheshire.org.
To apply for this role, please send a CV and covering letter detailing how your skills and experience make you an appropriate candidate for this role to recruitment@activecheshire.org and enter HOS-AC26 in the subject line.
The deadline for applications is 12th February 2026 at 12noon.
Interviews for the post will be held on Wednesday 24th February at Active Cheshire, Wyvern House, The Drumber, Winsford, CW7 1AU.