Community Play Development Manager

Wigan Council; Orrell; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Exclusive rewards and benefits

Flexible working

Job summary

Wigan Council is seeking a Community Play Development Manager to lead the development and delivery of services from Norley Hall Adventure Playground. You will oversee the Play team, ensure compliance and safety standards, and manage key relationships that support opportunities for local people.

The role requires experience with project/operational management and community engagement, a passion for play, and willingness to work outside standard hours, including evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Experience of managing projects and/or operations and community engagement.
• Passion for play and ability to advocate benefits for young people and families.
• Willingness to work outside normal hours including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver services from Norley Hall Adventure Playground.
• Oversee the Play team and ensure compliance and safety standards.
• Manage key relationships to support opportunities for local people.

Skills

Project management

Community engagement

Flexible working

Job description

Priority Candidates will be considered in the first instance

Norley Hall Adventure Playground

Salary: Grade 8, £37,563 - £42,123

37 hours per week

We're on a journey to build a workforce reflective of our Borough.

We are committed to fostering diverse teams where everybody can bring their authentic selves to work and feel that they belong. If you want to work for a Council where everybody is encouraged to meet their full potential and make a difference in our neighbourhoods, we would love to hear from you!

Your role:

As Community Play Development Manager, you will be responsible for the development and delivery of services from Norley Hall Adventure Playground. You will oversee the Play team, ensure compliance and safety standards, and manage key relationships that support opportunities for local people.

You will represent Be Well on associated forums and groups, supporting wider play development priorities, whilst both sharing and adopting best practice. You will work closely with local system partners to improve social outcomes for our residents and evidence the positive impact that can be achieved through play related provision.

About you:

You will have experience of managing projects and/or operations and community engagement. You will have a passion for play and advocate the benefits and opportunities that can be realised for young people and families. You will be expected to have a flexible approach to work in line with business demands, including working outside of normal working hours on a regular basis, including evenings and weekends. A full driving license and use of a vehicle is desirable. You will be expected to proactively undertake professional training and development, whilst keeping abreast of changes in legislation and best industry practice.

About us:

We like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of exclusive rewards and benefits.

The Progress with Unity plan is a place movement for change for the next decade, bringing a new era for Wigan Borough. It draws on the strengths of our individual organisations, recognising that together we can achieve much more for our communities by delivering on our 2 place missions; create fair opportunities for all children, families, residents and businesses and make our towns and neighbourhoods flourish for those who live and work in them.

Here at Wigan, we are proud to support flexible working patterns, when the service can accommodate this. We also take a blended approach to where we work, depending on the work we do. This may include working from home, the office, or the community. We like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of exclusive rewards and benefits.

To be appointed to this role you must be able to prove your right to work in the UK, and you must maintain a valid (active) right to work. Please note, at present we are not a licenced sponsor. Please visit the link below to check you qualify to apply. Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Prove your right to work to an employer

Wigan Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. As part of this commitment, Wigan Council operates robust Safer Recruitment procedures

We recognise that on occasion candidates may use AI tools. Please read our applying authentically section below before submitting your application.

For further information, please contact Adam Blezard, Wellness Manager, [e-mail]

Interview dates:

Priority Candidates - Friday 20th November 2026

All Other Candidates - Friday 27th November 2026

This Role Is Subject To An Enhanced DBS Plus Child Barred List Check

The employer is committed to safeguarding

Supporting Documents

Job Specification

DBS Applicant Information

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Safer Recruitment at Wigan Council