Sarah Retzlaff
Bingham,United Kingdom
Summary
Interim Joint Head of Sport and Leisure Service, Nottingham City Council
Results-oriented professional with a strong background in leadership, strategic planning, and operational management. Skilled in driving commercial business growth and effective budget management and subsidy reduction. Proven track record in implementing strategies that achieve business objectives and foster team development.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Interim Joint Head of Sport and Leisure
Nottingham City Council
Nottingham, United Kingdom
09.2023 - 08.2025
- Successfully manage £7 million commercial income revenue and 2.3 million annual customer visits.
- Oversee operational management of six leisure facilities and supervise over 250+ employees.
- Manage remote teams delivering consistently high-quality services.
- Collaborated with consultants to conduct recent thorough leisure service options appraisal.
- Guided development of sport, leisure, and physical activity, generating £6.9 million in social value.
Sport & Leisure Manager
Nottingham City Council
Nottingham
01.2014 - 09.2023
- Direct operational management of six leisure facilities in Nottingham City, overseeing 250+ staff members.
- Develop sport, leisure, and community services to enhance local engagement and deliver social value.
- Cultivate strategic partnerships and creative networks to drive organisational growth and community outcomes.
- Identified growth opportunities and new capital gym and leisure development projects to drive commerciality.
Shared Leisure Service Manager - Nottingham CC & Gedling BC
Nottingham City Council / Gedling Borough Council
Nottingham and Gedling, Nottinghamshire
04.2017 - 06.2019
- Managed operations of seven leisure facilities in Nottingham and five in Gedling, supervising over 300+ full-time equivalent staff.
- Drove business growth through income generation and reduced subsidy reliance.
- Developed sport and leisure services aligned with community needs and strategic objectives.
- Demonstrated strong leadership by nurturing staff development and transforming working cultures.
Sport & Leisure Development Manager
Nottingham City Council
Nottingham
05.2009 - 01.2014
- Directed strategic management of Sport, Leisure and Community Service initiatives.
- Oversaw successful project delivery while adhering to timelines and budgets.
- Secured funding and investment to enhance community initiatives.
- Facilitated partnerships that fostered innovation in service delivery.
Senior Community Sport & Leisure Manager
Nottingham City Council
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
03.2004 - 05.2009
- Developed community sport initiatives to enhance engagement and participation.
- Created innovative networks for collaborative efforts and creative service delivery.
- Secured funding and resources through inward city investment strategies.Achieved excellent track record of measurable results across all initiatives.
Business English Teacher
Inlingua
Münster, North West Germany
08.2000 - 03.2004
- Served as Lead Business English Teacher for commercial contracts, including Deutsche Bank and SchmitzCargobull.
- Conducted intensive coaching sessions to prepare clients for high-stakes presentations and meetings.
- Adapted course materials to align with individual learning styles and objectives.
Principal Sports Development Manager
Hull City Council
Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
01.1997 - 03.2000
- Led strategic management of Sports Development Service
- Led and managed the new Youth Sport Trust National Junior Sports Programme, fostering youth participation in sports.
- Coordinated SRB and EAZ geographical projects to meet regional objectives.
- Established creative networks and partnerships to extend outreach and collaboration.
Sports Development Officer (Young People)
Nottingham City Council
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
01.1994 - 01.1997
- Reduced barriers to sports participation for young individuals through proactive initiatives.
- Established partnerships with organisations to enhance grassroots sport
Sports Development Officer
Rutland County Council
Oakham, Rutland
03.1992 - 01.1994
- One of the first, original Sports Development Officer positions created and financed by Sport England, partnering with essential local authorities throughout UK.
Duty Leisure Officer
Rushcliffe Borough Council
Bingham, Nottinghamshire
11.1990 - 03.1992
Education
Level 6 Certificate Management and Leadership - Managing Organisational Culture, Managerial Decision Making
Chartered Management Institute
UK 01.2009 - 12.2010
Theory and Methodology of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - Accredited Teacher Status
Trinity College, London
UK 01.2000 - 12.2002
Professional Development Certificate in Leisure Management - Certificate - Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management
Loughborough College
UK 01.1992 - 12.1994
Skills
- Leadership and management
- Strategic planning
- Business growth strategies
- Budget management and subsidy reduction
- Multi Site Operational oversight
- Customer service development
- Workforce development
Certification
2025 iHasco Level 2 and 3 Safeguarding Children (DSL)
2024 RLSS National Pool Plant Operators Certificate
2022 TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health
2022 FAA Level 3 Award in Supervising First Aid for Mental Health
2021 Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET) (Formerly PTLLS)
Accomplishments
2024 ROSPA GOLD Health and Safety Award for standards achieved in public service (9yrs Gold)
2022 QUEST Excellent Ken Martin and Djanogly Leisure Centres
2022 APSE Finalist Best Community and Neighbourhood Initiative
2022 UK Active Awards *Winner* Physical Activity Hero
2019 - QUEST Very Good Ken Martin Leisure Centre
2018 - APSE Finalist Nottingham Tennis Centre
2016 - APSE Finalist Clifton Leisure Centre
2015 - APSE Winner Victoria Leisure Centre
2015 - Nottingham awarded 'Home of Sport' by Visit England Tourism Board
2014 - Nottingham awarded 'City of Football' by Sport England
2012 - Asian Football Awards Winner - Development Project issued by FA
Languages
English
Native
German
Intermediate
Timeline
Interim Joint Head of Sport and Leisure
Nottingham City Council
09.2023 - 08.2025
Shared Leisure Service Manager - Nottingham CC & Gedling BC
Nottingham City Council / Gedling Borough Council
04.2017 - 06.2019
Sport & Leisure Manager
Nottingham City Council
01.2014 - 09.2023
Sport & Leisure Development Manager
Nottingham City Council
05.2009 - 01.2014
Level 6 Certificate Management and Leadership - Managing Organisational Culture, Managerial Decision Making
Chartered Management Institute
01.2009 - 12.2010
Senior Community Sport & Leisure Manager
Nottingham City Council
03.2004 - 05.2009
Business English Teacher
Inlingua
08.2000 - 03.2004
Theory and Methodology of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - Accredited Teacher Status
Trinity College, London
01.2000 - 12.2002
Principal Sports Development Manager
Hull City Council
01.1997 - 03.2000
Sports Development Officer (Young People)
Nottingham City Council
01.1994 - 01.1997
Sports Development Officer
Rutland County Council
03.1992 - 01.1994
Professional Development Certificate in Leisure Management - Certificate - Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management
Loughborough College
01.1992 - 12.1994
Duty Leisure Officer
Rushcliffe Borough Council
11.1990 - 03.1992
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