Careers

About Us

Welcome Letter

Thank you for your interest in becoming an Appointed [Non-Executive] Director of the Sport and Recreation Alliance.

The Sport and Recreation Alliance believes that the power of sport and recreation can change lives and bring communities together. With our members, and in partnership with the wider sector, we seek to make the most of opportunities and face up to the areas that challenge us.

Our 2021-2025 strategy came at a critical juncture for both society and our sector. The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced both the importance of sport, recreation and physical activity to the lives of individuals and communities but also highlighted how easily it could be taken away. Now, more than ever, we must work creatively and collaboratively to make the case for sport and recreation.

Climate change, we know, will present significant questions for the delivery of sport and recreation at both grassroots and elite level. In general, the economic environment for the sector – exacerbated by the legacy of the pandemic, significant cuts to local Government services and the cost-of-living crisis – remains challenging. The Alliance’s strategy expires this year, and the Board has consulted with our members to identify priorities for the next strategic period; I feel confident that they will work with us in the most positive spirit to move the organisation forward.

You can read more about the role of Director in this pack.  We want to be clear about what we are looking for from our Directors and this pack is designed to help you understand more about us. We are also happy to answer any questions you may have.

DAME JANE BEER DBE 
Chair

About Us

The Sport and Recreation Alliance believes that the power of sport and recreation can change lives and bring communities together. With our members and in partnership with the wider sector, we make the most of opportunities and tackle the areas that provide a challenge.

We do this by providing advice, support and guidance and by being the voice of the sector. Working with Government, policy makers and the media, we help grassroots sport and recreation grow and thrive. Having an active nation is important as it delivers huge benefits to society and the millions of participants, volunteers, staff and spectators.

You can find out more in our current strategy Support. Recover. Achieve. on our website.

Our Purpose, Vision, Mission and Values continue to underpin our work - our focus and what we deliver.

Purpose: We believe everyone should benefit from the positive power of sport and recreation.

This is the reason we exist – it is what motivates us.  

Vision: We will be at the heart of a thriving sector enabling more people from all backgrounds to participate in sport and recreation.

This is the difference we want to make to our members and the wider community when we follow our Purpose.

Mission: Be the go-to body for sport and recreation, providing expert services, advice and advocacy.

This is what we will do every day to make sure our Purpose delivers our Vision.

Values: We know that values are not just words – they matter.

Our values define how we work - how we engage with one another, and the relationships we foster with our members, partners and wider stakeholders.

Throughout the life of our strategy, we will be guided by three simple values:

• Support – We are supportive and show care and commitment to our members and our staff.
• Collaboration – We are built on a great team which collaborates with others to harness collective energy and drive change.
• Relationships – We value long-lasting relationships with our members, partners and the wider sport and recreation community. 

Governance

We are committed to high standards of governance and we are compliant at Tier 3 with ‘A Code for Sports Governance’.

Our governance structure and policies allow us to maintain a strong board which works hard to build a sustainable organisation. Further details of our Board and framework can be found here. 

About The Role

Skills and Experience

This year, we are looking for a Director who has the varied skills and experience to move the organisation forward in its next five years of a new strategy.

Previous Board experience is essential and that you can demonstrate:

• Creative and strategic thinking that challenges/refines conventional ways the sector has operated.
• Using your skills to constructively challenge group thinking and potential inhibiters to change at a national level.
• Making a clear commitment to improving diversity and equality and understanding the needs of under-represented groups in sport and recreation.
• How the potential of the UK’s sport and recreation landscape can change lives for the better. 

Key responsibilities (jointly with other Directors):

• Ensuring that the organisation has a clear vision and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these.
• Being responsible for the overall performance of the organisation and for its culture and ethos.
• Ensuring that the organisation complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
• Acting as a guardian of the organisation’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application.
• Ensuring that the organisation’s governance and probity is of the highest possible standard.

Person Specification

• Have an understanding of, and commitment to, sport and/or physical recreation.  
• Someone who can continue to develop and maintain the Alliance’s strategic focus and direct the organisation towards its future.
• Be able to make a commitment to the Alliance and devote the necessary time.
• Have strategic vision, independent judgement, an ability to think creatively and a willingness to speak your mind.
• A clear commitment to improving diversity and equality and understanding the needs of under-represented groups in sport.
• Have knowledge of good governance and commitment to highest standards. 

Time and Commitment

You will be expected to join four Board meetings a year, which are usually held at the Alliance’s offices in Central London but are also accessible by video [normally Microsoft Teams]. In addition, we would encourage your attendance at several Alliance meetings and events and there may be a requirement for your attendance at Board sub-committees, depending on other roles and responsibilities you assume.

The role is voluntary, and we will pay Directors’ travel expenses and provide a full induction to the organisation’s work.

Term of Office

The appointment is for a four year-term which will start at the conclusion of the 2025 Annual General Meeting provisionally set for October this year. One further four-year term can be served. 

Further Information

Your Application and the 2025 Recruitment Process

Please find below details of the selection process, to assist you in completing and tailoring your application:

You should submit:

• An up-to-date CV which shows your full career history – we recommend that this is no longer than two pages.
• An appropriate covering letter.
• Please do complete our e-survey Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form via this link.

Please send your completed application form and letter to the Company Secretary, BY EMAIL to Kate Lawrenson klawrenson@sportandrecreation.org.uk

Closing date – applications should be received by 12 noon on Friday 6 June 2025.

You will receive an acknowledgement to your email, and we suggest that if you don’t receive this you should contact Kate to confirm your application has been received.

All candidates’ CVs and letters will be considered by the Nominations Committee. Any interviews will be notified after the closing date and may be by video conference.

Members of the Nominations Committee are Dame Janet Beer (Alliance Chair), Dame Sally Dicketts* (Alliance Senior Independent Director), Dave Strain (Alliance Appointed Director) and Vicky Williams (LTA People Director). 

Diversity is valued within our team. More than just encouraging your application, we're committed to conscious inclusion that (we hope) cultivates an ethos of belonging, connection and shared purpose. It’s this philosophy that drove us to shape our values and behaviours and we open our doors to those who share those values.

Every role in the Alliance team is open to applications from all sections of society. We believe in the potential of everyone; regardless of race, religion or belief, ethnic origin, different physical ability, family structure, socioeconomics, age, nationality, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other difference that makes you, well, you.

Prior to completing and submitting a CV, please refer to our privacy policy on our website.

For more detailed information about the Alliance and a list of the current Directors, please visit our website at www.sportandrecreation.org.uk

For an informal discussion about the role of Director please contact the Company Secretary.

*Dame Sally Dicketts will not take part in this Appointed Director process as she is standing for re-appointment. 

Apply for role

Closing date: 6th June 2025