Community Development Operations Manager

Reference Number: XL252

Closing Date: 13^th July 2026

Location: Xcel Leisure Centre, Coventry

Hours: 37.5 Hours

Rate of Pay: £28-£30K per annum

As a highly organised Manager with the ability to meet deadlines and have excellent time management skills, you will oversee day-to-day operations, implement policies and procedures, and support the delivery of community development initiatives. You will be responsible for prioritising tasks, managing competing demands, maintaining accurate records, coordinating communications, and ensuring administrative processes, reporting requirements, and project deadlines are met.

As the Community Development Operations Manager, you will play a key role in delivering projects efficiently and in line with organisational objectives. The role includes responsibility for HR and finance administration, including recruitment and onboarding, staff records, payroll support, budget monitoring, invoice processing, and financial reporting. We are looking for a proactive professional with strong attention to detail, the ability to manage multiple priorities, and a commitment to continuous professional development.

Working hours are Mon-Fri 8.30am – 4.30pm however there is the requirements to work outside of these hours when needed which may include evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Apply today and join our team!

CV Life is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Job Description

Reporting to: Head of Community Development

Responsible for: Aquarius Administrator

Scope

Coventry Sports Foundation and Culture Coventry are independent organisations who work collaboratively through CV Life, so that this Job Description as a CV Life document extends to cover the employment contracts held with either Culture Coventry Trust or Coventry Sports Foundation.

Overall purpose and objective of the role

To lead and manage the day-to-day operational management and of the Community Development Team with a strong focus on process development, implementation and improvement.

Main duties of the role:

1. To be responsible for the ongoing management of all the Community Development Team staffing rotas, verification of timesheets and management of holiday allocations ensuring appropriate staffing levels are achieved in line with budget forecasting.
2. To be responsible for the management and administration of the Community Development Teams Human Resources functions, including contract administration and the management of sickness
3. To be responsible for the ongoing operational management of Aquarius Swim School.
4. To be responsible for the management and of the Community Development teams Finance functions, including payroll, invoicing, management account reconciliation and debtor management.
5. To be constantly involved in all areas of the Company’s Policy and Procedure reviews and manage such implementation and applications of policy within the Community Development Team.
6. To work with the Head of Community Development to successfully implement all new and existing CV Life procedures and to monitor and measure continued compliance.
7. To identify opportunities within the Community Development team where new policies and better working practice could be implemented.
8. To structure and organise communication networks across the various departments within the Community Development team, including recording minutes and actions.
9. To work with the Head of Training and Development on the development and implementation of a training matrix identifying essential and desirable training for all post within the Community Development Team.
10. To work with the Head of Community Development to support the annual development of the CV Life, Coventry Sports Foundation business plans.
11. To use insight and customer feedback and to develop the Community Development departments annual business plan with associated action plans and suite of KPIs that align to overarching CV Life vision and objectives.
12. To develop systems to capture detailed KPI’s and customer feedback and regularly provide reports on key emerging trends.
13. To be responsible for the co-ordination and writing of all Community Development external funding applications and the associated on-going financial and activity reporting requirements.
14. To act as the Community Development team representative in supporting and contributing to the wider CV Life IT strategy, and to lead the development and implementation of related systems.
15. To work with the Head of Community Development and the wider Community Development team to develop an annual marketing strategy and associated campaigns that continually increase impact, engagement, and revenue generation.
16. To introduce new innovative ways of capturing qualitative impact stories across the community development team, including reflections sessions, pod casts, activity diaries.
17. To act as the lead for Health and Safety within the Community Development Team to ensure all Health and Safety systems and procedures are implemented effectively.

This job description is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and may be reviewed and updated depending upon operational requirements and staffing levels.

Responsibilities for all employees

• To embrace and lead by example on the Company’s key values of PRIDE, PASSION and PURPOSE or those that might at any time be subsequently re-defined.
• To support the Company’s commitment to providing a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults, ensuring awareness of the Company’s Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practice Guidance, and to be vigilant, reporting any safeguarding concerns without delay. 
• To undertake all duties and fully comply with all of the Company’s general standards and those relating to the specific requirements of the role.
• To take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions at work, and to co-operate with health and safety matters to help everyone meet their legal requirements.
• To co-operate with managers and colleagues to ensure environmental responsibilities are complied with.
• To carry out tasks at a range of sites that are either operated or managed by the Companies / Trusts or where services are delivered by the Companies / Trusts 
• To be involved in any aspects or opportunities for sharing of good practice, expertise and responsibilities within the Companies / Trusts. To generally help promote the work and public image of the Companies / Trusts, always maintaining high standards of customer service and personal appearance. 
• To attend and fully engage with all internal training and development requirements and opportunities, and maintain such qualifications as required by the demands of the role.
• To interact positively with customers adopting a friendly and professional approach at all times.
• To comply with the General Data Protection Regulations when dealing with, maintaining, sharing and storing information.
• To undertake other duties as specified, which are appropriate to the qualifications, experience and general level of the post.

Person Specification

Essential Personal Attributes

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with colleagues, partners, schools, community organisations, and stakeholders at all levels.
• Approachable, supportive, and able to build positive working relationships with staff and partners.
• Highly self-motivated with excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to manage competing priorities across multiple operational workstreams.
• Committed to developing and motivating individuals and teams to achieve their potential.
• Able to influence, inspire, and drive high performance through positive leadership.
• Committed to maintaining high standards of service delivery, professionalism, and presentation across facilities and programmes.
• Passionate about improving opportunities and outcomes for local communities.

Essential Knowledge and Experience

• Proven experience in the operational management of community development, education, sport, leisure, or similar services.
• Experience of managing multiple service areas or programmes, including community development initiatives, school engagement, or Learn to Swim programmes.
• Experience of leading, managing, and developing teams to achieve service objectives.
• Experience of partnership working with schools, local authorities, community organisations, and external stakeholders.
• Experience of budget management, performance monitoring, and service planning.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion, and customer service best practice.
• Experience of using data and performance information to drive continuous improvement.

Essential Qualifications

• Relevant professional qualification in management, community development, sport, leisure, education, or a related discipline, or equivalent operational management experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Essential Special Skills

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent planning, organisational, and project management abilities.
• Ability to analyse information, solve problems, and make sound operational decisions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build effective partnerships and maintain productive stakeholder relationships.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office and relevant management information systems.

Special Circumstances

• Ability to work unsociable hours, including evenings, weekends, and Bank Holidays, as required.
• Ability to travel between sites.
• Commitment to working with underrepresented and disadvantaged individuals and communities to improve access and participation.

If you have any enquires, please contact our Human Resources Team by emailing recruitment@cvlife.co.uk