Company: Salford Community Leisure
Location: Salford
Posted: May 9th, 2026
Employer: Salford Community Leisure Ltd.
Accountable to: Salford Community Leisure Board of Trustees
Location: Salford
Salary: £100k+ (pay award pending)
Closing date: 25 May 2026
Contract: permanent
Hours: full time
Salford Community Leisure (SCL) is a community benefit society with charitable status that manages sport, leisure, and cultural services on behalf of Salford City Council. One of the largest leisure trusts in the country, with an annual turnover of c. £20 million, it delivers a diverse range of public services focused on sport, health, wellbeing, leisure, libraries and culture, and runs more than 60 venues in the city.
These include seven leisure centres, eight community centres, 16 libraries, major museums/galleries and heritage venues (including Ordsall Hall and Salford Museum and Art Gallery), the Salford Watersports Centre, Cleavley Athletics Track and multiple community sports pitches, playing fields, tennis courts, and school facilities.
It is entering a new phase of development and is looking to appoint an exceptional new CEO to take the organisation forward, support its people and champion organisational excellence.
The new CEO will be a strategic, inspiring, collaborative and committed leader with a deep understanding of how sport, culture, libraries and community services enhance and improve lives. They will have strong business acumen, a people-focused approach, and a commitment to delivering public value in a complex, high‑profile environment, balancing social impact with income generation.
They will lead the organisation through the next phase of its evolution, maintaining and building upon its established reputation and influence. The role requires a wide-ranging set of skills, capabilities and experience, proven leadership and credibility at the highest level.
The successful candidate will bring high-level strategic understanding, operational management experience, and knowledge of financial performance and compliance. They will have an excellent partnership work‑based background – particularly important in respect of the society’s relationship with Salford City Council, public health and community partners.
SCL is looking for a strategic, dynamic, inclusive and politically astute leader with a track record of delivering service improvement within complex organisations. You will bring the credibility and judgement required to navigate high levels of public interest, board, community and stakeholder engagement, alongside the ability to inspire teams and build a culture of trust, integrity and continuous improvement.
Accountable to SCL’s board and the wider membership, the new CEO will develop the strategic direction of the business and lead the organisation to deliver a rolling medium-term effective business plan.
This is a senior leadership appointment of real significance and influence. We are looking for a leader who brings:
SCL is an equal opportunities employer and strives to create an inclusive culture where talent can flourish. All appointments are made based on merit; however, we particularly encourage applications from women, people from minority ethnic communities, LGBTQ+ people and disabled people.
While the role will involve being present at work on a regular basis, SCL is also geared up for hybrid‑working. This does enable the CEO to work from home as deemed reasonable. Where possible, you will attend the office or our various premises in line with our company policy.
If you wish to have an informal conversation about the role, please contact John Eady (john.eady@kkp.co.uk).
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