Leisure Assistant

Derby City Council; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Part time

Job summary

Derby City Council is seeking a Leisure Assistant to support Derby Arena, delivering friendly customer service and helping create a safe, vibrant environment for visitors and event attendees.

You will assist with setup, answer enquiries, and support a varied programme of sports, leisure and community activities, including evenings, weekends and events as required. This casual role offers valuable experience in a busy multi-use arena.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering excellent customer service to diverse customers.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a team and adapt to changing priorities.
• Good organisational skills with accuracy.
• Confident using basic digital systems, including email.
• Understanding health and safety and safe working practices.
• Friendly, approachable and professional manner.
• Flexible to work evenings, weekends and events.

Responsibilities

• Deliver friendly, professional service to customers and attendees.
• Set up activity spaces and move equipment safely.
• Maintain a clean, safe, welcoming venue.
• Assist with inquiries and provide information about activities.
• Support delivery of sports and community programmes.
• Carry out basic maintenance and check equipment.
• Work flexibly including evenings, weekends and events.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Organization

Digital skills

Health & safety

Professionalism

Flexibility

Tools

Email

Office applications

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Job title Leisure Assistant Job reference 000012644 Date posted 09/11/2026 Application closing date 18/11/2026 Working Pattern Part time Salary £13.70 per hour Contractual hours 0 Basis Non term-time part time casual Job category/type Arts / Events / Tourism, Customer Services, Sport & Leisure Attachments Blank Job description

Salary: £13.70 per hour

Location: Derby Arena

Hours: 0 hours per week

Working hours: Monday-Friday: 5:30am-10:30pm & Saturday-Sunday: 6:15am-7:30pm with some changes due to events

Contract Type: Casual

Closing Date: Wednesday 18th November 2026

The Opportunity

If you enjoy working with people, delivering excellent customer service and being part of a team that helps create memorable experiences, this could be the ideal opportunity for you. As a Leisure Assistant, you'll play an important role in supporting a welcoming, safe and vibrant environment for customers, visitors and event attendees at Derby Arena.

The Leisure Assistant role offers variety, opportunities to develop new skills and the chance to contribute to a facility at the heart of the community. Working alongside supportive colleagues, you'll gain valuable experience across leisure, sport and events while making a positive difference to the people who use Derby Arena

What you’ll be doing

• Deliver a friendly, professional service to customers, visitors and event attendees, helping to create a positive experience every time they visit Derby Arena.
• Prepare activity spaces and event areas by setting up, moving and storing equipment safely and efficiently to support a varied programme of sports, community activities and events.
• Help maintain a clean, safe and welcoming environment throughout the venue, carrying out routine inspections and reporting any issues that require attention.
• Support the day-to-day operation of the facility by assisting customers, responding to enquiries and providing information about activities and services.
• Assist with the delivery of sports, physical activity and community programmes, encouraging participation and helping customers get the most from their visit.
• Carry out basic maintenance tasks and help ensure equipment and facilities are presented to a high standard for customers and visitors.
• Work flexibly as part of a wider team, including evenings, weekends and events, to support the smooth running of a busy multi-use arena.

About you

Essential

• Experience of providing excellent customer service and creating a positive experience for a wide range of customers and visitors.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships and work effectively with colleagues, customers and partners.
• Ability to work as part of a team and use initiative to respond to changing priorities in a busy environment.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to carry out tasks accurately and efficiently.
• Confidence using basic digital systems and software, including email and standard office applications.
• Understanding of the importance of health and safety and a commitment to maintaining safe working practices.
• A friendly, approachable and professional manner, with a genuine commitment to delivering high-quality services.
• Flexibility to work a shift pattern, including evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays, and to support events and service requirements when needed.

Desirable

• Experience of supporting sports, physical activity, leisure or event-based activities.
• A recognised sports coaching qualification, first aid qualification, or relevant leisure industry qualification.
• Experience of working in a large, customer-focused leisure, sports or events environment.

Who We Are

At Derby City Council, we're proud to deliver over 250 essential services that support our residents, communities and businesses. Guided by our vision to create an Inclusive, Green, Growing and Vibrant City, we put people at the heart of everything we do.

Our values shape how we work every day. We believe in Great People, One Team, we're Bold in embracing change, Strong in delivering for our communities, and We Care about making a positive difference.

Join us and you'll be part of an ambitious, collaborative organisation where you can develop your career while helping to shape Derby's future.

Why join Derby City Council?

At Derby City Council, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference while building a rewarding career in an organisation that values, supports and invests in its people. Alongside the opportunity to help shape the future of Derby, you'll benefit from a comprehensive range of employee benefits, including:

Financial Benefits

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) – a secure, defined benefit pension with life cover
• Team Derby Rewards – discounts across a wide range of retail, leisure and lifestyle brands
• Tusker Car Benefit Scheme – a salary sacrifice scheme for leasing a brand-new, fully maintained and insured vehicle

Work-Life Balance

• Generous annual leave, starting at 27 days and rising to 32 days after five years' service (plus bank holidays, depending on your contract)
• The option to purchase additional annual leave
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements for many roles
• Flexible retirement options, where eligible
• Support for colleagues with caring responsibilities

Learning and Development

• Learning and development opportunities, with regular career conversations to support your growth
• Leadership and management development programmes, mentoring and professional qualifications
• Modern workspaces designed to support collaboration, productivity and wellbeing

Health and Wellbeing

• Employee Assistance Programme, wellbeing support and a year-round wellbeing calendar
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• Cycle2Work Scheme and free cycle training

Community and Inclusion

• Up to 15 hours of volunteering leave each year
• Recognition through initiatives including the Here for Derby Awards and Long Service Awards
• The opportunity to join one of our Employee Networks, including LGBTQ+, Disabled Employees and Carers, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Employees, and Neurodiversity

At Derby City Council, we believe our people are our greatest strength. Whatever stage you're at in your career, you'll be joining an inclusive organisation where you'll be supported to develop, feel valued and make a meaningful difference to the communities we serve.

Some benefits are dependent on your role, contract or length of service.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Derby City Council, we're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we serve.

As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role can choose to apply through our Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

We are also proud to hold the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award, recognising our commitment to supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families. Members of the Armed Forces community, veterans and their close family members who meet the essential criteria are also eligible for our Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

If you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, including during your application, interview or onboarding, we'll work with you to provide the support you need.