Aquatics Competency Development Lead

Organisation: Swim England
Salary: £33,500 - £38,500
Location: Field Based - North-West and Midlands
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 1 June 2026
Interview date: 11 June 2026
Job Description: - Field-based role (Midlands and North West region); with future regular travel expectations - 2-3x a week
- 35 hours a week (Mon-Fri)

About the Role

We are looking for a proactive and collaborative Aquatics Competency Development Lead to support the development and delivery of high-quality swimming and aquatic provision across the Midlands and North West region.

This role plays a vital part in ensuring that individuals of all ages and abilities can enjoy swimming confidently and competently. You will work closely with leisure operators, swim schools, education providers, and community partners to strengthen local delivery of learn to swim and school swimming programmes.

As part of a regional and national network of development leads, you will provide hands-on support, build capability within the workforce, and help create sustainable, high-quality aquatic environments. This is a field-based role that requires strong relationship-building, practical delivery support, and a passion for improving access to aquatic activity.

Key Responsibilities

In this role you will:
- Provide operational, technical and practical guidance to leisure operators and swim schools to support the delivery and growth of learn to swim programmes, including commercial performance
- Support schools, school swimming providers and leisure operators in developing and delivering effective school swimming programmes
- Work with local partners across leisure, education, community sport and physical activity to deliver aquatic programmes and projects
- Visit and support partners on-site to build confidence, capability and quality within the aquatic workforce
- Contribute to the growth of sustainable, high-quality swimming provision across the region
- Support the practical delivery of aquatic activities, including pool and open water environments where appropriate
- Collaborate with regional colleagues across club development, safeguarding and business engagement to deliver a joined-up service locally
- Work as part of a national matrix team to design and deliver local development services across the aquatic and physical activity sector
- Partner with Swim England regional teams to align and deliver local priorities
- Contribute to the development of resources, tools and content to support learn to swim and school swimming delivery

Skills and Experience
Essential
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently across written, verbal and digital channels
- Strong ability to build relationships, trust and rapport with a wide range of partners and stakeholders
- Collaborative approach, with a strong understanding of teamwork and cross-functional working
- Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to turn ideas into action and impact
- Good knowledge of the local sport and physical activity landscape, including leisure operators, schools and community settings
- Understanding of the strategic landscape for school sport, physical activity, community sport and leisure in England
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience working within community sport, physical education or physical activity
- Knowledge and experience of aquatic delivery
- Experience developing and maintaining partnerships with diverse organisations and stakeholders

Desirable
- Teaching or leading qualifications in swimming, or willingness to achieve these in post
How to apply: Please click on the following link: https://sepeople.jobs.people-first.com/jobs/details/recruitment%2Fjobdetails%2Fd0a89f51-de36-4787-a478-19e18adcbba0