Recreation Assistant

University of Leeds; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday entitlement

Health and wellbeing discounts

Professional development courses

On-site childcare

Travel schemes

Job summary

University of Leeds is recruiting a Recreation Assistant for two Sports Parks. The role focuses on safe environment, high customer service, cleaning tasks, setting up sport areas and moving equipment safely, plus cover reception and café/bar duties as required.

You will work a shift-based system including evenings and weekends, with hours varying to meet business needs; strong communication and a positive attitude are essential to support users and teams across Weetwood and Bodington.

Qualifications

• Customer service experience is important for interacting with users.
• Strong communication skills are essential for clear information exchange.
• Ability to plan and prioritise work to manage multiple tasks.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the environment is safe for users and maintain high levels of customer service.
• Carry out cleaning tasks, set up sport areas and move equipment safely; cover reception duties as required.
• Work in our café and bar provision when needed and adapt to shift patterns including evenings and weekends.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Job description

Interviews are expected to be held week commencing 19 October 2026

This role will be based at both Sports Park Weetwood and Sports Park Bodington

Are you customer focused and dedicated to providing an excellent service? Do you have excellent organisation skills with the ability to plan and prioritise work effectively?

With over £15 million invested over the past decade, the University of Leeds has established one of the leading outdoor sports facility provisions in the UK. Delivered across two dedicated Sports Parks, Sports Park Weetwood and Sports Park Bodington, these world-class environments support student sport, elite performance, and extensive community engagement.

Both Sports Parks offer outstanding outdoor facilities, including high-quality grass and 3G football pitches, rugby facilities with a dedicated spectator stand and bar, two international-standard water-based hockey pitches, a county-standard cricket ground with a traditional pavilion and the UK’s first purpose-built triathlon training centre.

Together, these facilities support the University’s Leeds Gryphons sports clubs and are widely used by local sports clubs, National Governing Bodies, and professional sports teams, reinforcing the University of Leeds’ reputation as a centre of sporting excellence.

As a Recreation Assistant you will work as part of our team ensuring that the environment is safe for use and that a high level of customer service is maintained at all times. You will undertake a range of duties including cleaning tasks, setting up sport areas and moving equipment safely. There will also be a requirement for you to cover reception duties and work within our café and bar provision, as required.

You will have excellent communication skills and have a helpful attitude towards customers, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team. You will also be able to maintain a positive attitude, whilst sometimes working under challenging situations.

You will be required to work on a shift-based system, which includes evening and weekend work. Hours of work will be variable dependent upon the needs of the business.

• 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!


• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.


• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.


• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!

Please see details of the University’s Pre-employment Health Assessment within the Candidate Brief.