Contract Manager


Company:	Active Life Ltd
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	CT2 7PH
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	4 Sept 2026
Closing date:	4 Oct 2026

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Summary

Contract Manager - Active Life

Location: Active Life, Herne Bay

Salary: Circa £45K

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

Lead. Inspire Teams. Make a Difference.

Active Life is a community focused charity dedicated to improving health, wellbeing, and quality of life through accessible leisure, fitness, and community services. We are looking for an exceptional Contract Manager to provide senior leadership across our contract, inspire our teams, and help shape the future delivery of our services.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced contract and operational leader who thrives in a dynamic environment and is passionate about delivering outstanding services that have a genuine impact on people's lives.

As Contract Manager, you will be the most senior lead within the contract, providing strategic and operational leadership across services, facilities, programmes, and people. Acting as the direct reporting line into senior teams, you will play a pivotal role in driving performance, ensuring excellent customer experiences, maintaining compliance, and supporting the long-term sustainability and growth of Active Life.

What You'll Be Doing

You will:

* Lead and oversee the day-to-day operation and strategic direction of Active Life's contract, services, facilities, and programmes.

* Develop, support, and motivate high-performing teams, creating a positive, inclusive, and accountable culture across the contract.

* Ensure the delivery of excellent customer service and community engagement.

*Manage contract budgets and contribute to the financial sustainability and commercial performance of the organisation.

*Drive continuous improvement and identify opportunities for growth and innovation.

*Ensure compliance with health and safety, safeguarding, and regulatory requirements.

*Build and maintain strong relationships with senior teams, local authorities, partners, stakeholders, and community groups.

*Act as the senior contract reporting line, providing clear updates, insight, and recommendations to senior leadership teams.

*Monitor performance, analyse data, and implement actions that improve operational effectiveness.

*Champion Active Life's values and commitment to improving community wellbeing.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who can combine strategic thinking with strong contract management and operational leadership.

You will have:

Essential

*Significant experience in a senior contract management or operational leadership role.

*Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop diverse teams.

*Experience managing contract budgets and delivering services against financial, operational, and contractual targets.

*Strong knowledge of health and safety, compliance, and risk management.

*Excellent communication, senior stakeholder management, and reporting skills.

*Experience driving service improvement, contract performance, and operational effectiveness.

*Strong organisational, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

*A customer-focused approach and commitment to high-quality, contract-led service delivery.

*A passion for community impact and improving health and wellbeing outcomes.

Desirable

Experience within the leisure, fitness, sport, health, wellbeing, charity, or commissioned services sector.

Relevant management qualification.

Experience managing complex contracts or multi-site operations.

Knowledge of safeguarding practices within community services.

Experience working with local authorities, commissioning bodies, senior stakeholders, or community partners.

Experience leading organisational change and growth initiatives.

Why Join Active Life?

At Active Life, our people are at the heart of everything we do. You'll join a supportive and purpose-driven organisation where your leadership of the contract will directly contribute to healthier, happier communities.

In return, we offer:

A rewarding senior contract leadership role with real community impact.

Opportunities for professional development and growth.

A supportive and collaborative working environment.

Competitive salary and benefits package.

The chance to drive innovation, influence senior decision-making, and help shape the future of Active Life.

If you're an ambitious and inspirational contract leader looking to make a lasting difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and help us create healthier, stronger communities through Active Life

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