Glasgow Life is one of Scotland’s largest charities, dedicated to transforming lives and strengthening communities through sport, physical activity, culture and learning. Working at the heart of the city, Glasgow Life welcomes millions of people each year to its gyms, sports facilities, pitches, community venues, museums and libraries, delivering services at scale that support Glasgow’s physical, mental and economic wellbeing and contribute to the city’s reputation as a world-leading sporting and cultural destination.

We are now seeking to appoint a Head of Sport and Physical Activity, a senior leadership role central to delivering Glasgow Life’s ambition to inspire every citizen and visitor to lead an active, healthy life. Reporting to the Director of Libraries, Sport and Physical Activity and Communities, the role carries responsibility for leading all sport and physical activity services across the city, providing visible and inspirational leadership, and ensuring the safe, effective and financially sustainable delivery of leisure services that maximise participation, inclusion and community impact.

About the role

As Head of Sport and Physical Activity, you will be a strategic advisor to Glasgow Life’s Senior Leadership team, shaping strategy and driving performance across a diverse portfolio of facilities, services and programmes. You will lead, inspire and challenge a multi-disciplinary team to lead the operational delivery of leisure services across multiple facilities and teams, ensuring safe, effective and financially sustainable services while supporting Glasgow Life’s wider ambitions for participation, health improvement and community wellbeing.

The role also has a significant outward-facing dimension. You will work collaboratively with partners across the city and nationally, advocate for the value of sport and physical activity, and represent Glasgow Life at senior forums, influencing policy, securing investment and strengthening the organisation’s reputation as a leader in inclusive, community-focused sport and physical activity.

The person

We are looking for an experienced, values-led leader with a strong strategic track record in sport, physical activity, leisure or related sectors, gained within complex public, charitable or commercial environments. You will bring excellent leadership capability, strong commercial and financial acumen, and experience of leading large teams and managing services at scale.

You will be an effective communicator and influencer, comfortable operating at senior and Board level and building productive relationships across sectors. A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is essential, alongside an understanding of the role sport and physical activity play in tackling inequality, improving health outcomes and strengthening communities.

Terms of appointment

Salary: £85,409 – £99,011

30 days annual leave plus 6.5 public holidays, rising to 35 days after five years’ service

Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme

Discounted Glasgow Club membership and retail discounts

Flexible working and family-friendly policies

Please note that Glasgow Life is an Arm’s Length External Organisation to Glasgow City Council. We are currently completing a Job Evaluation exercise and introducing a new pay and grading structure, which may impact current salaries quoted in job adverts. Further information can be found at https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/jobevaluation.

Diversity matters at Glasgow Life 

We're determined to reflect the extraordinary diversity of Glasgow in our workforce. Glasgow Life is on a journey to develop a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. Where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We're a Disability Confident and Carer Positive employer and invite candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Read more about our commitment to equality and diversity on our website. https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/the-small-print/an-inclusive-employer  

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Glasgow Life on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details of how to apply, please visit roles.saxbam.com using reference DBHQE. Alternatively email belinda.beck@saxbam.com. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on the 5^th July 2026.