Chief Executive - Salford Community Leisure Ltd.

Organisation: Knight, Kavanagh & Page
Salary: £100k+
Location: Salford
Contract type: (Full time)
Closing date: 25 May 2026
Interview date: 18 June 2026
Job Description: Salford Community Leisure Ltd (SCL), one of the largest leisure trusts in the country, delivers an unusually diverse range of services. It is entering a new phase of development and is looking to appoint a new CEO to take the organisation forward to support its people and champion organisational excellence.

The new CEO will be a strategic, inspiring, collaborative and committed leader with an already acquired, or capacity to develop, 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.

About the role

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, thus looking for a leader who brings:

* Proven strategic credibility and senior leadership experience
* Commercial acuity and social value understanding.
* The empathy, insight and imagination to shape an inclusive and inspiring working culture.
*A strong understanding of financial performance, governance and compliance
*A strong track record of partnership working particularly with local authorities, public health and community partners

SCL’s board combines wide-ranging expertise and purposeful ambition. This is a chance to join at a moment of renewal, to invest your leadership in an organisation that is pivotal to its people, its city and its future.

About 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.

With a turnover of £20m per annum, It provides a wide 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.

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, but we particularly encourage applications from women, people from minority ethnic communities, LGBTQ+ people and disabled people.

While the role will involve ‘being in 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.
How to apply: KKP is supporting SCL with this appointment. If you wish to have an informal conversation about the role, please contact John Eady at KKP (john.eady@kkp.co.uk). For further details about the role and how to apply, you can download a job pack from https://www.greater.jobs/en-gb/job/75805066 Interviews are scheduled for the 18th and 19th June2026. For more information on Salford Community Leisure visit its website: www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk