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Active Life Ltd; Peacehaven; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability Confident employer

Job summary

Active Life Ltd is seeking an exceptional Contract Manager to provide senior leadership across our contract, services, facilities, programmes, and people. This on-site role reports into senior teams and shapes the future delivery of our services within the community.

You will lead strategic direction, manage budgets, ensure compliance and health & safety, and build strong relationships with local authorities, partners, and stakeholders to deliver high-quality, contract-led services that improve

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior contract management or operational leadership role.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop diverse teams.
• Experience managing contract budgets and delivering services against financial, operational, and contractual targets.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety, compliance, and risk management.
• Excellent communication, senior stakeholder management, and reporting skills.
• Experience driving service improvement, contract performance, and operational effectiveness.
• Strong organisational, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• A customer-focused approach and commitment to high-quality, contract-led service delivery.
• A passion for community impact and improving health and wellbeing outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the day-to-day operation and strategic direction of Active Life's contract, services, facilities, and programmes.
• Develop, support, and motivate high-performing teams, creating a positive, inclusive, and accountable culture across the contract.
• Ensure the delivery of excellent customer service and community engagement.
• Manage contract budgets and contribute to the financial sustainability and commercial performance of the organisation.
• Drive continuous improvement and identify opportunities for growth and innovation.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, safeguarding, and regulatory requirements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior teams, local authorities, partners, stakeholders, and community groups.
• Act as the senior contract reporting line, providing clear updates, insight, and recommendations to senior leadership teams.
• Monitor performance, analyse data, and implement actions that improve operational effectiveness.
• Champion Active Life's values and commitment to improving community wellbeing.

Skills

Senior contract leadership

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Health & safety knowledge

Reporting skills

Service improvement

Organisational skills

Customer-focused delivery

Education

Management qualification

Job description

Active Life is a community focused charity dedicated to improving health, wellbeing, and quality of life through accessible leisure, fitness, and community services. We are looking for an exceptional Contract Manager to provide senior leadership across our contract, inspire our teams, and help shape the future delivery of our services.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced contract and operational leader who thrives in a dynamic environment and is passionate about delivering outstanding services that have a genuine impact on people's lives.

As Contract Manager, you will be the most senior lead within the contract, providing strategic and operational leadership across services, facilities, programmes, and people. Acting as the direct reporting line into senior teams, you will play a pivotal role in driving performance, ensuring excellent customer experiences, maintaining compliance, and supporting the long‑term sustainability and growth of Active Life.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and oversee the day‑to‑day operation and strategic direction of Active Life's contract, services, facilities, and programmes.
• Develop, support, and motivate high‑performing teams, creating a positive, inclusive, and accountable culture across the contract.
• Ensure the delivery of excellent customer service and community engagement.
• Manage contract budgets and contribute to the financial sustainability and commercial performance of the organisation.
• Drive continuous improvement and identify opportunities for growth and innovation.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, safeguarding, and regulatory requirements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior teams, local authorities, partners, stakeholders, and community groups.
• Act as the senior contract reporting line, providing clear updates, insight, and recommendations to senior leadership teams.
• Monitor performance, analyse data, and implement actions that improve operational effectiveness.
• Champion Active Life's values and commitment to improving community wellbeing.

What We're Looking For

We’re looking for someone who can combine strategic thinking with strong contract management and operational leadership. You will have:

Essential

• Significant experience in a senior contract management or operational leadership role.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop diverse teams.
• Experience managing contract budgets and delivering services against financial, operational, and contractual targets.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety, compliance, and risk management.
• Excellent communication, senior stakeholder management, and reporting skills.
• Experience driving service improvement, contract performance, and operational effectiveness.
• Strong organisational, problem‑solving, and decision‑making abilities.
• A customer‑focused approach and commitment to high‑quality, contract‑led service delivery.
• A passion for community impact and improving health and wellbeing outcomes.

Desirable

• Experience within the leisure, fitness, sport, health, wellbeing, charity, or commissioned services sector.
• Relevant management qualification.
• Experience managing complex contracts or multi‑site operations.
• Knowledge of safeguarding practices within community services.
• Experience working with local authorities, commissioning bodies, senior stakeholders, or community partners.
• Experience leading organisational change and growth initiatives.

Why Join Active Life?

At Active Life, our people are at the heart of everything we do. You'll join a supportive and purpose‑driven organisation where your leadership of the contract will directly contribute to healthier, happier communities.

In return, we offer:

• A rewarding senior contract leadership role with real community impact.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• The chance to drive innovation, influence senior decision‑making, and help shape the future of Active Life.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Contract Manager

Company: Active Life Ltd

Hours: Full‑time

Location: CT2 7PH

Working pattern: On‑site

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 4 Sept 2026

Closing date: 4 Oct 2026

Location: Active Life, Herne Bay

Salary: Circa £45K

Contract: Full Time, Permanent