About the role and you
This new senior leadership position will oversee and drive forward the council’s leisure and cultural services at an exciting time for the authority, alongside contributing to our wider strategic direction and decision-making.
In April 2025, Alive West Norfolk, our leisure and cultural provider, will be coming back under in-house council management. As part of a strengthened senior leadership team, you will play a key role in embedding, integrating and developing these key services for our communities.
Initially, the role will focus on the strategic management of our four leisure facilities plus our superb arts centre – the Corn Exchange – which houses a 700-seat theatre and two cinema screens. The four leisure facilities focus on promoting active lifestyles and improved wellbeing and with the prospect of significant capital investment coming for these facilities, we need someone to take the lead in developing these proposals, working with a multi-disciplinary team and our elected members over the coming months.
This role will work with partners at a strategic level, both locally and nationally, to help make the most of our arts and cultural assets for the benefit of our residents and local economy.
We’re looking for a strategic leader, someone who is keen to make a difference, cares about our borough and will be a passionate advocate for our place, communities and our leisure and culture assets in West Norfolk.
A video from Kate Blakemore, our Chief Executive, about this exciting opportunity
Working at the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk
Kate Blakemore joined as our Chief Executive in September 2024 and is leading an exciting programme of organisational transformation alongside shaping our place-based agenda, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and Cabinet.
We are ambitious to make this council fit for the future and ensure all projects and services run effectively and align with the needs of our communities, maximising the significant opportunities for the borough while proactively addressing our challenges.
Our Corporate Strategy has four priorities:
- Promoting growth and prosperity
- Providing efficient and effective delivery of our services
- Protecting our environment
- Supporting our communities
Politically, the local elections in May 2023 enabled the first minority administration in 20 years to be formed and it is the first in West Norfolk to be made of up a partnership of independent councillors and other parties.
About our place
Our borough is renowned for its rich built and natural heritage, from its ancient towns, historic buildings and maritime links, through to the fens, countryside and stunning coastline.
West Norfolk is a large borough with a diverse landscape and history, and a strong arts and culture scene. We are fortunate to serve a place people want to visit. You can enjoy countryside and coast, admire and visit town centre locations steeped in history, and attend major cultural events such as the King’s Lynn Festival and Festival Too.
There is also St George’s Guildhall where Shakespeare is reputed to have played, which is undergoing major restoration works. There are many other events supported by the council, you will be surprised at the range of them and how accessible they are. There are also a host of sports and leisure facilities, many operated by Alive West Norfolk.
Like all places, we also have our challenges to address. Many affect other places too while some are more acutely-felt here, whether that be the standard and supply of affordable housing, connectivity and infrastructure, climate change impacts, social and health inequalities, or an ageing population.
West Norfolk is one of only a few places nationally to be designated as a “Marmot Place” and is working with the Institute of Health Equity, Public Health and the Integrated Care Board on approaches to reduce health inequalities.
At the council, we have a plan to lead with our partners and shape our borough as a place where people and businesses can thrive and grow, our environment is protected, our heritage is preserved, and development meets the needs of local people. We are committed to that and to our communities.
Recruitment timeline
| Date | Process |
|---|---|
| 6 January | Applications open |
| 31 January | Applications close |
| w/c 3 February | Long listing and short-listing |
| w/c 10 February | Psychometric testing - specific dates to be agreed with candidates |
| 12 February | Technical assessment |
| 19 February | Final assessment day and interview |
Relocation Package
We offer a relocation package of up to £8k to newly appointed officers who move their home into the borough. The package includes financial assistance with relocation expenses including such items as temporary accommodation expenses, removal expenses and travelling and house purchase expenses.
Other Benefits
- A competitive salary with performance related pay
- A generous annual leave entitlement of 36 days, increasing to 39 days with continuous service (this includes personal leave, bank and general holidays)
- Comprehensive Benefits package including discount schemes, cycle to work, online GP and more
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to counselling services
- A good work/life balance with an agile working environment
- Relevant Professional subscription payment
- Committed training programme and development opportunities
- Membership of the local government pension scheme
Job description and person specification
The full job description and person specification is available to view below.
View the Assistant Director of Leisure and Culture full details
Apply for the role
If this looks like the perfect opportunity for you then please apply at the link below.