Sports Assistant​/Lifeguard

About the role

With over 5000 members, the University sports facilities proudly boasts two swimming pools, sauna & steam rooms, spa pool, gym, two aerobics studios, full‑sized floodlit all‑weather pitch, floodlit 5‑a‑side pitch, 11 tennis courts, athletics track, floodlit rugby training pitch, and other amenity areas & car park. As a Lifeguard (12 months, Fixed Term), you will provide critical safety supervision, instruction, support and encouragement to customers within the Sports Centre, Swimming pool, Spa, Sauna and Steam Room to help them maximise the effectiveness of their health and wellbeing activities and contribute to the delivery of the Sport & Active Life service within the Sports Centre and associated facilities.

You will supervise activities such as student swimming lessons, children's swim and general swimming. You will also be responsible for opening facilities, monitoring and recording Health and Safety (H&S) and other information (including pool and spa water tests), providing first aid in the event of injury, rescuing swimmers in danger or distress and administering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or artificial respiration if necessary, engaging in cleaning duties, promoting and demonstrating excellent customer service, closing down facilities at night.

To be considered for this role, you will require a National Pool Lifeguard Qualification and experience of working within a customer service environment. It would be advantageous if you had previous experience working within a recreational/leisure environment and have a good knowledge of Health and Safety policy and procedures. This role would be suited to an individual who has an enthusiasm and knowledge of the sporting world and fitness.

Position is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 because the post holder will have substantial access to young people and/or vulnerable adults. Therefore, an appointment to this post will be subject to checking through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The successful applicant will be required to give consent for the University to check with the DBS for the existence and content of any criminal record in the form of an Enhanced Disclosure.

Information received from the DBS and the police will be kept in strict confidence and will be destroyed once the University is satisfied in this regard.

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Aaron Spencer at

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. More information regarding secondments can be found.

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward‑thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Full‑time, fixed term till 07 August 2026