Active Sunderland Project Lead
| Posting date: | 18 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £40,001.00 to £50,000.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Grade 9 (SCP 37 - 41) £48,226 - £52,413 |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 31 March 2026 |
| Location: | Sunderland, SR1 3AA |
| Company: | Sunderland City Council |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 293228 |
Summary
Lead transformational change. andnbsp;Shape place. andnbsp;Get Sunderland Active
Fixed Term - 36 monthsandnbsp;
Weandrsquo;re looking for an exceptional individual who knows how to turn ambition into reality at scale.andnbsp; As an Active Sunderland Project Lead, youandrsquo;ll take on a strategic, high-profile role driving the development of impactful programmes, major infrastructure initiatives, and long-term system change that gets more of our residents active and moving more often.
andnbsp;
We are looking for someone with proven experience leading large-scale programmes, alongside a strong track record of designing, implementing and embedding sport and physical activity interventions and programmes that deliver measurable change. andnbsp;If you can evidence where your leadership has fundamentally shifted activity levels, influenced system partners and created sustainable opportunities for communities, we want to hear from you.
andnbsp;
About the role
In this pivotal position, you will:
Lead major citywide projects, programmes and infrastructure developments that improve access to physical activity and help residents lead healthier lives.
Drive system-wide change at place level, coordinating partners, influencing stakeholders and aligning delivery with local and national strategies.
Develop, manage and monitor targeted interventions, using local and national data to shape activity pathways that achieve real, sustained participation.
Build and manage strong relationships with internal teams, community organisations, National Governing Bodies, funders and other key partners.
Oversee project and programme teams, providing leadership, direction, and a culture of quality, responsiveness and innovation.
Secure and manage budgets to enable new activity, new infrastructure and new opportunities across the city.andnbsp;
Your work will directly support our ambition to increase participation in physical activity and sport, improve healthy weight outcomes, and ensure every resident can access high-quality, locally relevant activity opportunities.
andnbsp;
About you
You will be an experienced individual with:
7+ yearsandrsquo; experience in sport, physical activity, health, community development or related fields.
Significant experience delivering major physical activity initiatives, with evidence of measurable impact on participation, behaviour change and system development.
Demonstrable success in developing or managing large-scale infrastructure projects that have enabled communities to become more active.
A strong ability to influence, negotiate and bring partners together to deliver shared goals.
Experience of managing budgets, staff and project teams in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent communication, problem-solving and relationship-building skills.andnbsp;
Most importantly, you will be someone who can clearly show the difference you have made in previous roles andmdash; how your work has changed places, strengthened systems, and improved lives through physical activity.
andnbsp;
Why Sunderland?
This is your opportunity to play a central role in the cityandrsquo;s journey and help shape a future where being physically active is embedded into everyday life. andnbsp;Youandrsquo;ll join a forward-thinking and ambitious team that: Innovates to create new opportunities; Enables partners and communities to lead and coproduce activity; Respects and values every residentandrsquo;s experience.
andnbsp;
If you want your work to matter andmdash; truly matter andmdash; this is your chance to lead meaningful change at scale.
Interviews to be held Monday 20 April and Tuesday 21 April.
For an informal discussion on this exciting opportunity, please contact Victoria French, Senior Manager Health andamp; Wellbeing on 07823444077
This post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore will be subject to a DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Applications should be made on-line at northeastjobs.org.uk/sunderlandcitycouncil. For further assistance contact Customer Enabling Services by email: jobs@sunderland.gov.uk
andnbsp;
Please note that CVs are not accepted.
Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered online with North East Jobs, including your invitation to any online assessment you are required to undertake and your invite to interview if you are short-listed. Please check your email inbox after the closing date for notifications as you may not be notified by any other means. Please remember to check your junk mail items.
andnbsp;
andnbsp;
andnbsp;
andnbsp;
Fixed Term - 36 monthsandnbsp;
Weandrsquo;re looking for an exceptional individual who knows how to turn ambition into reality at scale.andnbsp; As an Active Sunderland Project Lead, youandrsquo;ll take on a strategic, high-profile role driving the development of impactful programmes, major infrastructure initiatives, and long-term system change that gets more of our residents active and moving more often.
andnbsp;
We are looking for someone with proven experience leading large-scale programmes, alongside a strong track record of designing, implementing and embedding sport and physical activity interventions and programmes that deliver measurable change. andnbsp;If you can evidence where your leadership has fundamentally shifted activity levels, influenced system partners and created sustainable opportunities for communities, we want to hear from you.
andnbsp;
About the role
In this pivotal position, you will:
Lead major citywide projects, programmes and infrastructure developments that improve access to physical activity and help residents lead healthier lives.
Drive system-wide change at place level, coordinating partners, influencing stakeholders and aligning delivery with local and national strategies.
Develop, manage and monitor targeted interventions, using local and national data to shape activity pathways that achieve real, sustained participation.
Build and manage strong relationships with internal teams, community organisations, National Governing Bodies, funders and other key partners.
Oversee project and programme teams, providing leadership, direction, and a culture of quality, responsiveness and innovation.
Secure and manage budgets to enable new activity, new infrastructure and new opportunities across the city.andnbsp;
Your work will directly support our ambition to increase participation in physical activity and sport, improve healthy weight outcomes, and ensure every resident can access high-quality, locally relevant activity opportunities.
andnbsp;
About you
You will be an experienced individual with:
7+ yearsandrsquo; experience in sport, physical activity, health, community development or related fields.
Significant experience delivering major physical activity initiatives, with evidence of measurable impact on participation, behaviour change and system development.
Demonstrable success in developing or managing large-scale infrastructure projects that have enabled communities to become more active.
A strong ability to influence, negotiate and bring partners together to deliver shared goals.
Experience of managing budgets, staff and project teams in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent communication, problem-solving and relationship-building skills.andnbsp;
Most importantly, you will be someone who can clearly show the difference you have made in previous roles andmdash; how your work has changed places, strengthened systems, and improved lives through physical activity.
andnbsp;
Why Sunderland?
This is your opportunity to play a central role in the cityandrsquo;s journey and help shape a future where being physically active is embedded into everyday life. andnbsp;Youandrsquo;ll join a forward-thinking and ambitious team that: Innovates to create new opportunities; Enables partners and communities to lead and coproduce activity; Respects and values every residentandrsquo;s experience.
andnbsp;
If you want your work to matter andmdash; truly matter andmdash; this is your chance to lead meaningful change at scale.
Interviews to be held Monday 20 April and Tuesday 21 April.
For an informal discussion on this exciting opportunity, please contact Victoria French, Senior Manager Health andamp; Wellbeing on 07823444077
This post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore will be subject to a DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Applications should be made on-line at northeastjobs.org.uk/sunderlandcitycouncil. For further assistance contact Customer Enabling Services by email: jobs@sunderland.gov.uk
andnbsp;
Please note that CVs are not accepted.
Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered online with North East Jobs, including your invitation to any online assessment you are required to undertake and your invite to interview if you are short-listed. Please check your email inbox after the closing date for notifications as you may not be notified by any other means. Please remember to check your junk mail items.
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Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.