Location: Albion St
Ref: GLA14069
We believe everyone deserves a great Glasgow life and that starts with the people who work here.
Glasgow Life is a charity like no other. Our vision is to improve the lives of everyone in our city — and inspire every citizen and visitor to become engaged and active in a city globally renowned for culture and sport.
To help us deliver that vision, we’re looking for a Director of Libraries, Sport & Physical Activity & Communities to join our Senior Leadership Team.
Our teams focus on making a real difference through culture and sport in Glasgow. If you’re excited by the idea of being part of that, this could be the job for you.
Location: Hybrid. Our head office is based in Merchant city with excellent transport links and access to discounted car parking nearby.
What you’ll do
As Director of Libraries, Sport & Physical Activity and Communities, you’ll report directly to the Chief Executive and play a pivotal role in delivering our strategic vision. You'll lead a diverse portfolio of physical and digital services - from Glasgow Club gyms and our citywide Libraries to vital community learning and engagement programmes, and ensure they contribute meaningfully to the mental, physical, and economic wellbeing of Glasgow’s people.
You’ll oversee major strategic projects and transformational change, driving innovation, inclusion, financial sustainability, and service excellence across your portfolio. As a key member of our Senior Leadership Team, you’ll also help shape Glasgow Life’s future direction, strengthen our income base, and lead engagement with strategic partners locally, nationally and internationally.
Your leadership will make a visible and lasting difference through teams that:
· Support our communities
· Help people get active
· Create cultural and learning experiences
· Or work behind the scenes to make it all happen
Who you are
We’re looking for a strategic, inspiring and collaborative leader with a deep understanding of how culture, sport, libraries and community services improve lives.
You’ll bring strong business acumen, a people-focused approach, and a commitment to delivering public value in a complex, high-profile environment. If you can balance social impact with income generation and lead inclusively and authentically, we’d love to hear from you.
We’re looking for:
· A degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, along with evidence of ongoing professional and leadership development
· Senior leadership experience in a large, complex organisation delivering customer-focused services
· Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to manage diverse and high-level stakeholder relationships
· A commercial mindset and excellent financial and budget management skills
· In-depth knowledge of challenges facing the delivery of culture, sport, libraries and community services in both public and commercial contexts
· A proven track record in leading successful organisational change and service redesign
· Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with experience of driving performance and continuous improvement
· Experience working across organisational boundaries, with a solid grasp of political, governance and decision-making frameworks
· An understanding of the wider public and third-sector landscape in Scotland
· A personal and professional commitment to Glasgow Life’s values — demonstrated through inclusive, values-led leadership
Download the Candidate Brochure in the Job Attachments section on MyJobScotland to see the full list of essential and desirable criteria.
What we offer
At Glasgow Life, our work changes lives. As a charity, we bring communities together and support wellbeing through sport, culture, heritage, and learning.
Learn more about Glasgow Life in our 10 Facts video in the Further Information section on MyJobScotland.
We support you to live a great life. Inside and outside of work. Some of our benefits include:
Holiday
When you join, you’ll get 30 days’ holiday. Plus 6.5 public holidays if you’re full-time. This increases to 35 days after 5 years of service.
Fancy a bit more time off? You can buy extra holiday too!
Pension
Save for later life and join the Local Government Pension Scheme. Your future self will thank you. Our generous employer contribution will help you plan for the future.
Support
Sometimes we all need support and a listening ear. Our free and confidential Employee Assistance Programme can support your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
Discounts
As a colleague, you can enjoy discounts on the things you love, from Glasgow Club memberships to our museum shops and our online store. We are also part of the cycle-to-work scheme, helping you stay active.
Flexibility and development
We are proud of our flexible and inclusive work policies, which help you balance work and life. We also offer support for learning, development and career progression.
Please note that Glasgow Life is an Arm’s Length External Organisation to Glasgow City Council. We are currently completing a Job Evaluation exercise and introducing a new pay and grading structure. This may impact current salaries quoted in job adverts.
What’s next
To get started, complete our short application form upload your CV and a Supporting Statement via MyJobScotland. Use the Candidate Brochure to shape your CV and Supporting Statement and show how your experience aligns with the job.
Important Dates:
The closing date for this job is 11.59pm on 28 September 2025 . First stage interviews are provisionally scheduled for late October, with final stage early November, in Glasgow.
Who We Are
Our Libraries, Sport and Physical Activity and Communities services are at the heart of life in Glasgow.
From Glasgow Club gyms and Learn to Swim programmes, to Libraries offering digital access and lifelong learning, to community centres creating safe, local spaces — we support people of all ages and backgrounds.
Diversity and Fair Work at Glasgow Life
We’re working to build a team that reflects the rich diversity of Glasgow’s communities — where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to be their full, authentic selves at work.
We’re proud to be a Disability Confident and Carer Positive employer, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
We’re also committed to Fair Work First principles, including effective voice, opportunity, security, fulfilment and respect for all our staff.
We’re working hard to address underrepresentation in our workforce. We especially welcome applications from people with disabilities and from ethnic minority communities.
We’re excited to hear from you. Let’s shape a great Glasgow life — together.
Closing date is 11.59pm on Sunday 28TH September 2025
Information is available in alternative formats, on request.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We’re an award-winning charity that runs local learning centres in the heart of communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide an innovative education programme which includes practical learning support and motivational and confidence-building activities for children and young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to inspire students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to broaden their horizons and achieve their full potential.
As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping thousands of young people each year. We have forty-four centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, with ambitious plans to scale-up our provision further over the coming years.
We are looking for individuals who will thrive in a fast-paced, rewarding role helping to change the lives of young people by taking up a permanent role as a part-time Programme Support Tutor. You will work closely with our existing team, supporting the delivery and organisation of the IntoUniversity programme in the centre.
The main duties of the role
To deliver the IntoUniversity programme effectively to children and young people in different settings, including schools-based workshops, Academic Support sessions and educational visits. This includes positive behaviour management and adherence to the IntoUniversity safeguarding policy.
- To assist with the organisation and delivery of the Academic Support, FOCUS and Mentoring Programmes.
- To assist the IntoUniversity Centre Leader in liaising with schools and other partner bodies, in organising the classroom and resources and in planning project delivery.
- To update and maintain IntoUniversity displays, publicity and resources.
- To work with the IntoUniversity Centre Leader to recruit children and young people to the programme, including after-school Academic Support and FOCUS Weeks.
- To develop educational resources and worksheets for use across all IntoUniversity programmes.
- To ensure compliance with all necessary regulations and legal requirements, including the Children’s Act, Children and Young People (Scotland) Act, Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act, Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, and legislation and policies related to Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety.
- To champion diversity and inclusion in your role at all times, referring to the Diversity and Inclusion Staff Responsibilities Guide.
- To undertake any task that may be requested from time to time that may be consistent with the nature and scope of this post.
Contract
Permanent, part-time
Start date
As soon as possible, to be agreed directly with the successful candidate
Working hours
- 15 or 16 hours per week (please see job description for further information).
Salary
Starting salary is £28,250 (pro-rata).
Pro-rated salary is £10,885 per annum for 16 hours per week.
Pro-rated salary is £10,205 per annum for 15 hours per week.
Location
IntoUniversity Clacton
Staff benefits
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to wellbeing and legal support
- Life Assurance scheme with AIG including SmartHealth service with access to 24/7 online GP appointments
- Staff in FOCUS – rewards, competitions and prizes across the year
- Interest-free new starter loans of up to £1,000
- Cycle to Work Scheme and Travelcard Loan Scheme
- Employer pension contributions of 6%
- Staff in FOCUS – rewards, competitions and prizes across the year
Registered Charity
101 - 500
IntoUniversity provides local learning centres where young people are inspired to achieve.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.