Sports & Recreation Team Lead

Sports & Recreation Team Lead

• Lead the Sport & Recreation Team to deliver safe, high-quality, and community-focused parks, playgrounds, and sports facilities.
• Flexible working with WFH & RDOs, plus Fitness Passport access.
• Salary from $128,405.61 – $138,426.30 per annum + 12% Superannuation + Travel Allowance.

Make a Difference Where You Work

In this role, you will have the opportunity to shape vibrant, welcoming, and safe outdoor spaces that bring the community together. By leading a dedicated team and engaging with local groups, you’ll directly influence how people connect, play, and enjoy their environment, leaving a lasting positive impact on the social, environmental, and recreational fabric of the community.

Why Join Us?

• Make a tangible impact: Lead projects that enhance parks, playgrounds, and sports facilities, directly improving community life.
• Collaborative and dynamic team: Work alongside passionate colleagues, sporting clubs, and community groups to deliver innovative recreation outcomes.
• Grow and lead: Develop your leadership skills while managing a high-performing, multi-disciplinary team in a supportive environment.

About the Role

As the Sports & Recreation Team Lead, you will:

• Lead and develop a high-performing, customer-focused team to manage Council’s parks, playgrounds, and sports facilities.
• Plan, deliver, and oversee open space and recreation projects, including capital works programs, asset improvements, and facility upgrades.
• Drive community engagement and build strong partnerships with sporting clubs, community groups, and volunteers.
• Provide strategic advice on complex or sensitive open space and recreation matters, influencing long-term planning and outcomes.
• Ensure safe, sustainable, and high-quality recreation spaces that meet the needs of a growing and diverse community.

What You’ll Bring:

• Tertiary qualifications in public open space management or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience managing public open spaces and/or sport facilities, including asset management, facility activation, and project delivery.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience leading multi-disciplinary teams.
  Excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and customer service skills.
• Solid understanding of relevant legislation, including the Local Government Act and Crown Lands Management Act.
• Demonstrated project management experience, with strong knowledge of tendering processes and regulatory requirements.
• Proven experience managing and procuring contractors and external consultants.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving ability.

Desirable:

• Experience in Local or State Government or similar environments.
• Knowledge of Technology One (HRIS/payroll) and ECM systems (records management).
• Experience managing budgets and financial reporting.

How to apply

Visit https://www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Council/Working-with-us/Careers to apply or learn more including all about the range of benefits on offer at Willoughby.

For more information, contact Stephen Alderton, Manager – Open Space and Recreation at Stephen.Alderton@Willoughby.nsw.gov.au or +61 2 9777 7978.

Applications should address all the key responsibilities outlined in the Position Description. The Position Description (PD) is located in the Job Attachments section of the job listing.

Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including police, working with children and qualification checks.

Applications close: Sunday, 8 February 2026 at 11:30pm

Please note recruitment activity may commence before the closing date.

Diversity & Inclusion at Willoughby

We are committed to building a workplace that reflects the diversity of our community – one where everyone feels respected, valued, and supported to contribute fully. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities, and identities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, LGBTIQA+ communities, veterans, and people of all ages. If you require adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.