Contract Manager
Posting Start Date: 8 Apr 2026
Location: Chichester, West Sussex, GB, PO19 1QA
Company: Serco Plc
Contract Manager
Location: Chichester, PO19 1QA
Salary: Competitive salary plus excellent benefits
Schedule: Full-time, site-based across the contract with flexibility to self-manage time across locations
Ready to impact a better future?
Here at Leisure Solutions Community Trust our goal is to get more people, more active, more often. We provide affordable access to a wide range of sports and leisure facilities to support healthier and happier people across all segments of the local community, whilst helping you to make MORE of every day. To deliver those services takes an enthusiastic and customer focused team - and right now we are looking to recruit for a Contract Manager to join our Team.
As the Contract Manager, you’ll take the lead on an exciting new leisure contract at a time of real momentum. Joining a major operator in the leisure sector, you’ll be part of a growing, ambitious business focused on innovation, future‑focused investment to improve facilities, and delivering high‑quality leisure services that create lasting, positive impact for customers, communities, and partners. As the most senior leader on the contract, you’ll have real ownership of operational performance, commercial outcomes, and key stakeholder relationships. Using inclusive leadership, innovation, and a focus on wellbeing, you will support in ensuring our leisure centres play a vital role in supporting more active, healthy communities.
What you’ll do as a Contract Manager
You’ll be entrusted to:
- Lead the operational and commercial performance of the Chichester Leisure Contract, ensuring delivery against financial, service, safety, and social outcomes
- Act as the ambassador for the contract, building trusted relationships with Chichester District Council, Leisure Solutions Community Trust, and key stakeholders
- Provide inspirational leadership to senior managers and colleagues, creating headroom for people to grow and succeed
- Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and organic growth opportunities across the contract
- Ensure compliance with health and safety, employment law, and contract specifications, taking action from audits and performance reviews
- Develop and maintain robust contract, business, and strategic plans that support long-term sustainable success
Does this sound like you?
You’ll be a great fit for this role if you have:
- Proven experience leading large, diverse teams within leisure, hospitality, or a similar operational environment
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to manage complex contracts and performance targets
- A strategic mindset, with the ability to balance day-to-day operations with long-term planning
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with a collaborative and values-led approach
- Relevant business management qualification or equivalent professional experience
Vetting and checks:
As well as checking eligibility to work in the UK, you will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire to help us identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.
Discover all you need to keep growing
We’re one of the top 1% of international employers, so you can have confidence you’ll be part of a highly supportive culture with leaders you can count on to help you achieve your goals. From mentoring and training to our focus on internal progression, we’re proud to offer clear development opportunities – and the support and tools to help you seize them.
What we offer
- Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays (and the option to buy up to five additional leave days each year)
- Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
- Bonus: A performance-based bonus scheme
- Company car
- Private medical insurance
- Training and development: Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
- Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
- Discounts: Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
- Charity: Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
- Employee networks: Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans, and people from all cultural backgrounds.
Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.
Serco/Serco Leisure Operating Limited are appointed as the Trust’s Managing Agents. We manage the recruitment process and the Trust’s employees in the delivery of the service on their behalf. The Trust is committed to equal opportunities and requests any potential applicant to contact the Recruitment Team on 0345 010 4000 as soon as possible if an applicant has any additional queries, requirements or will need additional time in submitting an application. Applicants should be aware that in line with the company’s policy, employees will have a DBS check where appropriate.
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