Strategic Lead for Place

About Us

We are the strategic lead for sport and physical activity across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. An independent charity committed to improving the lives of people across the two counties through the power of physical activity and sport.

As part of a national network of 42 Active Partnerships across England, we play a pivotal role in shaping how priority audiences and communities move more.

As a Sport England funded system partner, we interpret and localise national government strategies, Sport England's Uniting the Movement framework, and county public health, local authority, ICB strategies and national sporting governing bodies, turning policy into meaningful local action.

Find out more by watching this short animation video https://youtu.be/uruLHygC5Lo.

CEO Introduction

Dear Candidate

Thank you for taking the time to find out more about this role.

Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire exists to make it easier for everyone across our two counties to be active. That means focusing our energy on the people and places where the barriers are greatest — children and young people from lower\-income households, older adults, people living with long term health conditions, and communities where inactivity is highest.

We do not do this work on our own. We work alongside local authorities, the NHS, Integrated Care Board, Public Health, voluntary organisations and community networks to create the conditions where more people can move more, more often. We also work with national partners especially Sport England aligning closely to the Uniting the Movement Strategy.

This is an exciting moment for Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire. We are shortly launching a new organisational strategy, building on the strong foundations we have already laid and sets a clear direction for the years ahead. The relationships we have built across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, with statutory partners, the voluntary and community sector and local providers, give us a genuinely strong platform to work from.

To get there, we need the right people around us. We are a small, motivated and supportive team who care about the work and about each other. We invest in our people, we learn together and we try to make Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire a great place to work.

We are keen to attract people with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences — both from outside the organisation and by developing the talent we already have.

If you are looking for a role where you can make a difference and improve people’s lives, where you will be part of a team that genuinely supports one another, and where you can help shape an organisation at an important point in its journey — this could be the right opportunity for you.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Steve Brewster

Chief Executive Officer

Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire

Our Vision

Our organisational vision is: “Everyone Active for Life”

Our Mission

With our know how, we can get the communities we serve moving and active, improving health and wellbeing, transforming lives and creating lasting change.

Our Values

We are finalising our 2026 – 2029 organisational strategy, as part of this we are reviewing our organisational values.

Our existing values are:

• Inclusive \- We are committed to transparency and equality. We champion diversity.


• Energy \- We are a vibrant organisation that makes sport and physical activity happen, with a hardworking and enthusiastic approach.


• Quality \- We are dedicated to delivering to high standards and are motivated to achieve the best results with the greatest impact.


• Teamwork \- We work with integrity and in unity, complementing one another to establish and realise shared goals.


• Respect \- We consider, understand and value other's opinions and circumstances.

Post: Strategic Lead for Place Salary: £32750 – £34950 Hours: Full Time

Contract: Fixed until end of March 2028, with the possible extension subject to external funding.

Reporting to: Deputy CEO

Office Location: Based out of the University of Worcester, Hines Building, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ. There is an expectation to be present in the identified priority communities.

Agile working policy in place subject to the needs of the business.

About the Role

This is a leadership role for someone who wants to make a difference in local communities.

You will lead our place\-based work across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, with the aim of getting more people active, in the places and communities that need it most. This is a collaborative role. You will thrive when building and maintaining relationships with communities, statutory organisations (for example local authorities and health partners), providers and voluntary organisations, collectively working towards a shared goal.

There are two key elements to this role. Firstly, focusing on communities facing the greatest inequalities, including rural and areas of deprivation across both counties, as part of a small team of strategic leaders.

Secondly, through this focused work in communities, you will capture and share learning to encourage more place\-based working across both counties.

You will build a picture of how statutory organisations and the community infrastructure do and can connect, finding the opportunities where those connections can make a real difference to people's lives.

You will be able to see the bigger picture, join the dots with existing and new partnerships, networks and accessible resources as well as linking with internal work areas and priorities.

This is not a delivery role. You will not be running sessions or managing facilities. The role is to facilitate, convene and connect, working alongside communities and partners so that they shape what happens in their place.

This role is funded through Sport England's Place Universal Offer. This role sits at the heart of our three\-year strategy.

Why Work For Us?

You will be part of committed, purpose\-driven team working at Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Motivated by being part of a wider movement committed to making a difference to people’s lives through moving more, physical activity and sport.

Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire is committed to being diverse and inclusive, demonstrated through pro\-actively delivering our Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.

Through our People Plan, we are committed to being a great place to work – attracting diverse people whilst retaining a skilled workforce in an environment where people can thrive and grow.

As well as the opportunity to develop your skills in a rewarding and challenging role, we offer:

• Agile working – Combination of working from home and office\-based work e.g. Mon – Weds in office, Thurs\-Fri at home


• Annual leave – 25 days, plus 2 discretionary days for Birthday and extra day at Christmas, 8 bank holidays


• Opportunities for staff CPD training, individual or team, coaching, external conferences and meetings, internal staff briefings and monthly staff meetings


• Family and people friendly policies and procedures


• Two team staff celebration days


• Enhanced pension (5% employer contribution) \- Staff are enrolled into the pension scheme after 3 months


• Enhanced sick pay


• Enhance maternity pay


• Free parking – A paid annual permit for University of Worcester campus car parks


• Provision of hot drinks in the office


• Health \& wellbeing initiatives, including:

2\. Weekly paid half an hour wellbeing sessions

3\. Access to Occupational health

4\. Access to Mental Health First Aiders

5\. University of Worcester Fitness gym (Riverside Fitness) membership discount

You Will

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with local decision makers.


• Implement Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire’s 3\-year Place Universal Offer action plan.


• Build a deep understanding of identified priority places, using data, insight and engagement with community champions, partners, stakeholders and networks.


• Connect, convene and influence local decision makers, for example stakeholders, partners, networks and community champions about the benefits of physical activity to improve individuals and communities’ lives


• Bring statutory, providers and VCSE partners together to recognise and tackle inequalities preventing individuals and communities being active, shape solutions to be active.


• Think and work strategically. Being able to identify and link, partners, networks, organisational work areas and other available resources for the benefit of the identified priority places.


• Contribute towards the ongoing learning and evaluation of Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire’s Place Universal Offer.


• Manage allocated budgets.

Personal statements will be assessed against the criteria outlined below:

Partnership and relationship building

Has experience in building trust and long\-term relationships at different levels across diverse organisations and communities, especially with local statutory, health partners, providers and community\-based organisations.

Community based work

Has experience working in or supporting specific communities. An understanding of the barriers people face in becoming active.

Evaluation, learning and curiosity

Has an ability to gather and learn from data and insight to support strategic learning and achievement of a project/action plan.

Innovation, Creativity and Problem Solving

Ability to identify and implement innovative solutions and methods, displaying the resilience required for influencing long\-term change. Has experience connecting people, work areas and resources.

Communication

Has experience and is confident in communicating with clarity and credibility to a range of audiences and stakeholders.

**Deli

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