Project Data and Insight Lead

Organisation: ukactive
Salary: £42,500
Location: Hybrid/central London
Contract type: Fixed Term (Full time)
Closing date: 26 June 2026
Interview date: 7 July 2026
Job Description: ukactive is the UK’s trade body for the physical activity sector, representing organisations across fitness, leisure, sport and wider physical activity. Its purpose is to support, champion and represent its members, helping the sector to grow, innovate and thrive while strengthening its contribution to the nation’s health and wellbeing.

Through membership services, sector insight, research, partnerships and policy influence, ukactive provides practical support to members, keeps them informed about key developments, and advocates on their behalf with Government and national stakeholders. By promoting the value of physical activity in addressing major societal challenges, ukactive works to create the conditions for a stronger, more inclusive and sustainable sector. Its overall mission is to get more people, more active, more often.

Position overview

ukactive is seeking a skilled and motivated Project Manager (fixed term to 31 March 2028) to lead the successful delivery of the Expanding Access to MSK Physical Activity Hubs in the Community programme. Delivered in partnership with, and funded by, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) Joint Work and Health Directorate (JWHD) this national programme aims to increase access to musculoskeletal (MSK) support through community-based physical activity services across England.

The programme will support the expansion of approximately 100 existing MSK Physical Activity intervention locations by increasing service capacity, enhancing workforce capability through targeted training and development, and raising awareness of available support through the creation and promotion of communication resources. Working closely with national and local partners, the Project Manager will oversee the coordination and delivery of programme activities, ensuring milestones, outputs, and outcomes are achieved effectively and efficiently.

A key component of the programme is the evaluation of participating MSK Physical Activity intervention locations, which will contribute to strengthening the evidence base for community-based physical activity interventions delivered by non-healthcare professionals. The programme will seek to demonstrate the impact of these services in improving access to support, enhancing health outcomes, and strengthening referral pathways between health and physical activity sectors.
General Main Duties

The Data and Insight Lead will provide strategic and operational leadership for data management, governance, and insight generation across the Expanding Access to MSK Physical Activity intervention locations in the Community programme. Working closely with the Programme and Project Managers, the postholder will establish and maintain robust data systems, standards, and governance frameworks to ensure accurate, consistent, and compliant data collection and integration across all sites. They will oversee the design of user-friendly data tools, ensure interoperability between partners, manage data sharing agreements in line with UK GDPR and NHS requirements, and drive high standards of data quality, consistency, and submission compliance.

As the programme’s data lead, the postholder will be responsible for performance reporting, insight generation, and supporting external evaluation, including producing reports for funders and consolidating multiple data sources into a coherent evidence base. Working collaboratively with leisure operators, healthcare partners and research stakeholders, they will provide guidance and training on data processes while embedding a culture of data-driven decision-making. The role will also identify opportunities to improve systems, reduce burden, and introduce innovation, playing a critical part in demonstrating impact, improving outcomes, and supporting the programme’s strategic aims.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities
(include but not limited to)

Data Governance, Compliance & Standards
• Establish and maintain data governance frameworks, standards, and documentation
• Ensure compliance with UK GDPR, data protection legislation, and NHS data-sharing requirements
• Develop, implement, and manage data sharing agreements with key partners (e.g. ICSs, evaluation bodies)
• Establish, implement, and enforce data quality standards and validation processes
• Ensure interoperability between leisure operators, health systems, and evaluation partners
Data Collection Systems & Infrastructure
• Oversee implementation of a minimum dataset across all MSK locations, including manual data collection processes
• Design and develop user-friendly data capture tools and templates for public leisure operators
• Manage rolling data collection and integration of key metrics from public leisure operators
• Coordinate and consolidate multiple manually collected data sources into a unified dataset
• Support innovation in data capture methods, including digital tools and automation
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve data systems, reduce administrative burden, and enhance usability
Data Quality, Monitoring & Assurance
• Ensure consistency and comparability of data across all sites through regular data quality assurance checks
• Monitor data submission compliance and proactively address gaps or inconsistencies
• Monitor and assess data quality to inform and improve ongoing data collection processes
Reporting, Insights & Evaluation Support
• Develop and implement reporting frameworks and processes to support programme delivery
• Produce quarterly reports for funders (e.g. JWHD)
• Interpret data insights to inform programme delivery, including identifying opportunities for modification to improve outcomes
• Support external evaluation partners (e.g. NIHR) with data access, structure, and readiness
Stakeholder Engagement, Leadership & Capacity Building
• Act as the central data lead across the programme, ensuring alignment and coordination between all stakeholders
• Collaborate closely with internal teams, including the Research Manager, Programme/Project Manager, and delivery team
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with:
o Leisure operators and MSK Hub leads
o NHS and Integrated Care System (ICS) partners
o Department for Work and Pensions (local representatives)
o External evaluation and research partners
• Provide guidance, training, and support to operators on data collection, reporting processes, and tools
• Contribute to wider organisational (ukactive) data and insight strategy
• Undertake additional duties and projects as required to support programme and organisational objectives

Person Specification

Essential

• A Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree at 2:1 or above and demonstratable achievement at undergraduate level in relation to research and knowledge pertinent to the role.
• A master's in science (MSc) degree with a research or data-based topic area or demonstratable industry experience of this level of research
• Proven experience as a data lead or in a similar role, with comfort and experience working with large and varied numerical data sets
• Experience designing and implementing manual data collection systems and using data processing tools (e.g. excel) for the manipulation, organisation, and segmentation of large quantitative (numerical) data sets, in line with data protection regulations
• Strong organisation skills, with ability to prioritise and balance demands
• Strong stakeholder management abilities, with experience working with stakeholders and adapting research methodologies and frameworks to the needs of ‘on the ground’ project delivery
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Ability to work in a multi-partner, fast-paced environment
• High attention to detail and commitment to data quality

Desirable
• Experience and understanding of the health and/ or physical activity sectors
• Experience working with NHS Data systems or public health data
• Experience in supporting academic research or research evaluation partners
How to apply: Please submit your CV and Cover Letter via our recruitment portal by 5pm on 26 June 2026, using the link https://system.citrushr.com/Job?uid=zeqttmkvjbnbsgbsgwfh Interviews will be held on 7 and 8 July 2026.