National Aquatics Competency Manager - Learn to Swim Swim England

Location: SportPark-based, minimum 2x Days a Week Onsite

Salary: £40,000.00 £42,000.00 GBP annually

Hours:Full-Time (35 hours a week)

Closing date: 16th March 2026

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and collaborative National Aquatics Competency Manager - Learn to Swim to lead the operational development of Swim England's nationally recognised Learn to Swim programme.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in evolving one of the most established learn-to-swim frameworks in the country - helping shape its future direction, commercial approach and sector impact.

Working closely with colleagues, partners and the wider aquatics sector, you will support the review and development of the Learn to Swim framework, ensuring it remains relevant, inclusive and fit for purpose for today's communities. You will help drive collaboration across school swimming, water safety and competency initiatives, contributing to the shared goal of enabling every person to enjoy swimming confidently and competently.

This role suits someone who combines sector knowledge with strong stakeholder leadership, commercial awareness and a passion for driving meaningful change in aquatics participation.

Key Responsibilities Programme Leadership & Development

• Lead the review and ongoing development of the Learn to Swim framework, supporting the creation of a modern programme aligned to the needs of the aquatics sector.
• Work collaboratively to shape a refreshed commercial approach that meets the needs of leisure operators, swim schools, clubs and participants.
• Oversee the development of programme resources and content to support education, awareness and participation outcomes.

Partnership & Sector Engagement

• Build strong relationships with leisure operators, swim schools, local authorities and national partners to maintain the prominence of the Swim England Learn to Swim programme.
• Represent Swim England within national forums, working groups and sector networks.
• Collaborate with the Aquatics Competency Manager - School Swimming to ensure a connected and holistic approach to swimming competency.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide functional line management and support to two Aquatics Competency Development Leads.
• Work alongside regional field-based teams, providing technical leadership while drawing on local insight to inform programme development.
• Collaborate closely with Business Engagement Leads to strengthen partnerships and sector relationships.

Operational Support & Delivery

• Provide guidance and support to partners delivering Learn to Swim across community and commercial environments.
• Contribute to wider organisational priorities and strategic projects as required.
• Carry out duties within the scope and spirit of the role while adhering to organisational policies and values.

Skills and Experience Essential

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to influence, collaborate and build strong working relationships.
• Strong understanding of the learn-to-swim landscape, including leisure operators and swim schools.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of partner needs within the aquatics sector.
• Experience working within community sport, leisure or physical activity environments (minimum 5 years).
• Proven ability to turn strategic conversations into action and impact.

Desirable

• Experience leading or developing national programmes or frameworks.
• Knowledge of customer journey design or digital programme development.
• Experience working with governing bodies, national partners or sector-wide initiatives.

Please be advised that we cannot offer visa sponsorship and that you must have right to work in the UK to apply or be considered for this role. If you are a non-UK/EU National, you must have an appropriate working Visa to undertake employment. You must also be working within the UK to apply or be considered for this role, due to the public liability insurance Swim England holds.

Swim England is committed to inclusion and embracing the spirit of all equalities legislation. As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively encourage applications from disabled people. We recognise that the diversity of our workforce is not reflective of today's society and we are currently operating a pilot scheme whereby applicants from ethnically diverse backgrounds can opt into our guaranteed interview scheme. Candidates that have opted into the scheme will be guaranteed an interview provided that they have demonstrated, within their application, that they meet the essential criteria for the role. When emailing the CV and cover letter, applicants from ethnically diverse backgrounds are encouraged to state they wish to 'Opt In' to the scheme.

Where possible, Swim England will always make reasonable adjustments for accessibility to anyone who requires it.

If you would like any of the documentation in a different format or would like to apply in a different way please get in touch. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process, in line with the Equality Act 2010. However, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

Swim England is also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

Swim England and the Amateur Swimming Association

The Amateur Swimming Association (Swim England) Ltd is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. Registered charity number . Registered company number .

Swim England Trading Limited, registration number ; Swim England Events and Sponsorship Limited, registration number .

All companies are registered in England and Wales at registered office: Pavilion 3, SportPark, 3 Oakwood Drive, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3QF.

Supporting documents

Please download to view supporting documents below.

National Aquatics Competency Manager - Learn to Swim - JD