Head of Swimming

Do you have a proven track record delivering performance swimming coaching? Do you have a passion for sport and physical activity? Do you have excellent organisation skills with the ability to plan and prioritise your work effectively? 

The University of Leeds has a new strategy for sport which articulates our aim of becoming the leading provider of University sport in the UK. Through this strategy we are committed to ensuring that we provide opportunities for our students, staff and members of the local community to fulfil their sporting potential. Swimming is an important sport in the city of Leeds, and wish to provide the very best swimming opportunities for talented athletes in higher education.

Your key areas of responsibility will include the role of head coach for swimming at the University of Leeds, athlete recruitment, and managing key partnerships with the City of Leeds swim programme and Swim England. You will be expected to produce annualised plans for the athletes you are responsible for and review sessions accordingly. You will hold a UKCC Level 2 swimming coaching qualification or equivalent, and have a proven track record as a coach. Working as part of a team, you will be flexible, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You will also have significant experience of developing and working in partnership in both sport and non-sport environments. You will be highly motivated and have the ability to work unsupervised and use your own initiative. 

This role is working 20 hours per week. You will be required to work some early mornings and weekends and flexibility will be required.

Visa Eligibility

Please note that due to Home Office visa requirements, this role is not suitable for first-time Skilled Worker visa applicants.  Information on other visa options is available at: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

Pre-employment Health Assessment

Please see details of the University’s Pre-employment Health Assessment within the Candidate Brief.

What we offer in return 

26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year! Generous pension scheme options plus life assurance Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls. Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team. Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available. 

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:  

Andrew Lockwood, Assistant Head of Sport and Physical Activity (Development)

Email: [email protected]

Closing Date: 04 Jan 2026

Section: Operational Support

Salary: £29,588 to £33,002 p.a. pro rata