Director of Neighbourhoods, Culture, Leisure and Sport

Birmingham City Council; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Birmingham is seeking a Director of Neighbourhoods Culture & Leisure and Sport to provide strategic leadership across diverse portfolios, including culture, sports, and community services. The successful candidate will have proven leadership experience in complex environments and a commitment to equality and inclusion. This full-time position offers the chance to influence city-wide strategies, enhance community engagement, and manage significant budgets, making a real impact on the city's wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in strategic leadership within a large complex organisation.
• Strong financial acumen and ability to manage significant budgets (up to £100m capital).
• Expertise in partnership working and stakeholder engagement at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across culture, leisure, sport and neighbourhood services.
• Drive transformation and improvement ensuring services are efficient, high-quality and customer-focused.
• Lead major cultural and sporting events, securing funding and partnerships at local, regional and national levels.

Skills

Strategic leadership in complex organizations

Financial management

Stakeholder engagement

Project delivery

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Job description

Please note this vacancy is only available to Birmingham City Council employees.

Director of Neighbourhoods Culture & Leisure and Sport

Permanent, Grade B0, Working 36.5 hours per week.

A Birmingham is a city of ambition, diversity and opportunity. As Director of Neighbourhoods Culture, Leisure and Sport, you will be at the heart of creating a vibrant, active and connected city. You will lead a diverse portfolio including culture, sport, major events, parks, neighbourhood governance and community services. Your work will directly influence the city’s international profile, economic growth and the wellbeing of our communities.

What you’ll do

• Provide strategic leadership across culture, leisure, sport and neighbourhood services.
• Drive transformation and improvement ensuring services are efficient, high‑quality and customer‑focused.
• Lead major cultural and sporting events, securing funding and partnerships at local, regional and national levels.
• Oversee governance of Ward Forums and maintain strong community engagement.
• Manage a wide‑ranging portfolio including museums, tourism, creative industries, parks, leisure operations and community centres.
• Act as an ambassador for Birmingham, building strategic alliances and partnerships.

We are looking for a dynamic visionary leader with

• Proven experience in strategic leadership within a large complex organisation.
• Strong financial acumen and ability to manage significant budgets (up to £100m capital).
• Expertise in partnership working and stakeholder engagement at all levels.
• A track record of delivering major projects and driving organisational change.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

The successful Director will have the opportunity to shape Birmingham’s cultural and leisure landscape while influencing city‑wide strategies and outcomes.

Please upload an up‑to‑date CV and Supporting Statement via the attachments part of your application. The Supporting Statement should outline how you meet the criteria for the role through your personal qualities, skills and experience and include your motivation for applying to the post. The Supporting Statement should be no more than 1500 words. Unfortunately we cannot consider any applications without a CV and Supporting Statement attached.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities we serve. Our data shows that, for this level of role, ethnic minorities are under‑represented, and therefore we will use positive action to achieve diverse shortlists.

Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer and is committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people.

Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You can view our Corporate Safeguarding Policy here.

For any informal enquiries please contact: Resourcing@

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken.

Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements before any employment offer can be confirmed.