National Open Water Manager

Swim England; Nanpantan; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Swim England, the national governing body for swimming in England, is seeking a strategic National Open Water Manager to lead the development and delivery of open water swimming across England.

In this role you will champion Swim England as the national authority, collaborate with clubs, venues, partners and stakeholders to create safe, inclusive and accessible opportunities while guiding policy, programmes and partnerships that connect participation, performance and water safety.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of open water swimming landscape and safety factors.
• Ability to develop and deliver a clear strategic vision.
• Experience influencing policy across sport, environment, health and government.
• Excellent national-level communication and representation skills.
• Knowledge of health and safety, environmental regulation, and water quality.
• Understanding of sports development and participation growth.
• Strong stakeholder management with local authorities and agencies.
• Collaborative cross-team working ability.

Responsibilities

• Lead Swim England as the national leadership organisation for open water swimming.
• Design and deliver participation programmes to grow open water swimming.
• Coordinate activity across clubs, events, coaching and workforce development.
• Support integration of participation, water safety and health initiatives.
• Develop and maintain guidance for clubs, coaches, leaders and event organisers.
• Represent Swim England at national forums and partner groups.
• Develop policy positions and advocacy materials for the organisation.
• Build relationships with partners including water companies and enviromental agencies.
• Engage with the wider open water community to drive growth and innovation.
• Promote Swim England values in all interactions.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Policy development

Communication skills

Open water safety

Government relations

Collaboration

Job description

Swim England is the national governing body for swimming in England.

We help people learn how to swim, enjoy the water safely, and compete in all our sports.

Our vision is of a nation swimming and we strive to inspire everyone to enjoy the water in the way that suits them. We work with our partners to create engaging programmes that enable everyone to be active, have fun and stay healthy through swimming.

Your application is generated using the information you have provided in your Profile. Your CV and any additional supporting evidence will also be attached and made available to the hiring manager.

• Based at SportPark, Loughborough (Minimum 2x Days per Week)
• 35 Hours a Week (Mon-Fri)

About the Role

We are looking for a strategic and motivated National Open Water Manager to lead the development and delivery of open water swimming across England.

This role will play a central part in shaping Swim England’s approach to open water swimming, driving participation, safety and sustainability across the sector. You will champion Swim England as the national authority, working with clubs, venues, partners and stakeholders to create safe, inclusive and accessible opportunities for open water swimming.

Working collaboratively across the organisation and wider sector, you will lead the development of programmes, policy and partnerships that connect participation, performance and water safety. Your work will ensure a joined-up, high-quality approach to open water swimming that supports growth and long-term impact across England.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of Swim England as the national leadership organisation for open water swimming
• Design and deliver participation programmes and initiatives to grow open water swimming
• Coordinate activity across competitive pathways, including clubs, events, coaching and workforce development
• Support the integration of participation, water safety and health within open water swimming initiatives
• Develop and maintain National Governing Body guidance, frameworks and resources for clubs, coaches, leaders and event organisers
• Lead the development and review of guidance for both managed and non-managed open water environments, including coastal settings
• Represent Swim England at national forums, partnerships and working groups, advocating for the sport in policy and infrastructure discussions
• Develop policy positions, consultation responses and advocacy materials to strengthen Swim England’s role as the authoritative voice for open water swimming
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key partners, including water companies, environmental agencies, local authorities and venue operators
• Engage and collaborate with the wider open water swimming community to support growth and innovation
• Promote Swim England values in all interactions

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Strong understanding of the open water swimming landscape, including participation, environmental and safety considerations
• Ability to develop and deliver a clear strategic vision for open water swimming
• Experience influencing and building relationships across multiple sectors, including sport, environment, public health and government
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to represent an organisation confidently at a national level
• Experience of influencing policy and working with government agencies and sector partners
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and policy, including health and safety, environmental regulation and water quality
• Understanding of sports development principles, participation growth and the role of National Governing Bodies
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with knowledge of local authorities, environmental agencies and commercial operators
• Collaborative approach with the ability to work effectively across teams and partners

Desirable

• Open water swimming coaching or leading qualification (or willingness to work towards)

Please be advised that we cannot offer visa sponsorship and that you must have right to work in the UK to apply or be considered for this role. If you are a non-UK/EU National, you must have an appropriate working Visa to undertake employment. You must also be working within the UK to apply or be considered for this role, due to the public liability insurance Swim England holds.

Swim England is committed to inclusion and embraces the spirit of equality legislation. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role are guaranteed an interview. We are also piloting a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for applicants from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Candidates who opt in to the scheme and demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. Applicants can indicate if they wish to opt in by answering the relevant question within the application form.

Where possible, Swim England will always make reasonable adjustments for accessibility to anyone who requires it.

If you would like any of the documentation in a different format or would like to apply in a different way please get in touch. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process, in line with the Equality Act 2010. However, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

Swim England is also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.