Job Introduction
This vacancy is for internal applicants only.
Do you have a passion for continual improvement? Do you thrive on developing and delivering first-class services for Medway’s residents? Do you have the drive and determination to implement new initiatives, and recruit and nurture a highly-skilled and motivated team?
Our new Head of Sport and Greenspace Development will provide strategic leadership and operational management of Medway’s sports centres, sports development and greenspaces development functions.
The role is responsible for ensuring high-quality, safe and accessible services for residents, driving service improvement, developing sporting opportunities and facilities, and managing income generation and expenditure to ensure the service operates within agreed budgets and contributes to the Council’s wider priorities.
The successful candidate will:
- Provide effective and visible leadership of Medway’s sports centres, ensuing high standards of operation, customer experience and compliance with relevant health and safety requirements.
- Lead the improvement and development of parks, open spaces and country parks ensuring they are well-managed, sustainable and accessible for communities.
- Lead the development of sporting opportunities, programmes and facilities that increase participation, improve health outcomes and meet local needs.
- Maintain effective budgetary control across the service, manging income and expenditure to achieve financial targets and deliver value for money.
- Lead and support the management team withing sport and greenspaces development, setting clear expectations and promoting high performance.
- Develop and deliver a clear vision and improvement programme for sport and greenspaces development aligned with best practice and Council priorities.
- Demonstrate and strong understanding of Council priorities and the contribution of sport and greenspaces to wider corporate, health and regeneration objectives.
- Ensure staff are supported, developed and motivated through effective leadership, performance management and opportunities for professional development.
You will have a proven track record in either sport or greenspace development, with demonstrable experience of managing multi-million pound income and expenditure targets.
Interviews will be held Monday 13 April 2026
If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager please call Bob Dimond, Chief Leisure and Environment Officer on 07525 801081
In return we offer you:
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Generous local government pension scheme package
- Access to wider training and development qualifications
- Flexible working scheme
- Travel plan discounts
- Car Benefit Scheme from Tusker
- Access to CAREFIRST advice & counselling service
- Employee discount scheme for national and local retailers
- The Government has introduced new ways of supporting parents with childcare costs. Further details are available here: - https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
We're committed to making Medway carbon neutral by 2050. We have developed an action plan to ensure we play our part in addressing the climate emergency. Our declaration fits into our Council Plan priority of making Medway a place to be proud of. The main outcome being a 'clean and green environment'. All Medway Council staff can access an additional day’s paid leave to undertake a volunteering activity which supports climate change.
Our organisation:
Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula.
Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.
We provide all local Government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively.
Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.
Important Information-
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate all criteria at level A which are essential for appointment to the role.
- Medway Council is not able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship, so candidates must already possess the right to work in the UK.
- For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.
- Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.
- We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.
Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.
