Head of Place

We’re looking for a Head of Place to lead the strategic development, delivery, and expansion of London Sport’s Place-based approach, overseeing the Place Expansion programme funded by Sport England.

The role is responsible for embedding locally led, system-wide approaches to increase physical activity levels in underserved communities across London, reducing inequalities and improving health outcomes.

• Lead the design and delivery of the Place Expansion Programme across six London boroughs.
• Ensure place-based working reflects local insight, community voice, local political oversight and system collaboration.
• Act as a senior strategic advisor on place-based approaches internally and externally.
• Oversee a portfolio of place partnerships, ensuring high‑quality delivery, managing programme performance against agreed outcomes, KPIs, and investment requirements.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing team of 5 Senior Development Managers delivering place-based work.
• Work closely and efficiently with colleagues in the Impact and Insight team to champion the use of data, insight, and community engagement to shape interventions.
• Lead the management of programme budgets and ensure effective use of funding, ensuring that funding is spent on time and as agreed.
• Oversee partner funding agreement and ensure compliance with funder requirements and organisational policies.

• Significant senior leadership experience in place-based, community development, or public health programmes.
• Proven track record of managing complex, multi-stakeholder programmes with significant budgets.
• Experience of working with or alongside public sector systems such as London local government.
• Strong understanding of inequalities in physical activity, health, or social outcomes
• Deep understanding of place-based approaches and systems change.
• Programme and financial management experience.
• Confident communicator with experience representing organisations externally
• You are able to demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion in relation to London.
• You have lived experience of day-to-day life in London.

• Full-time (35 hours per week). We are open to discussing flexible working options.
• Salary: £63,000 per annum if full-time
• Permanent contract
• Flexible working: we use a model of 2 plus days per week in our central London office and working from home, with regular travel required throughout London

Tuesday 27th October 2026