Your career in sport and physical activity

Find a career in sport and physical activity that you can see yourself in.

Whether you're just curious or already leading, CIMSPA connects you to the right jobs, training and professional status and stays with you the whole way.

RECOGNISED BY EMPLOYERS

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  • Lampton Leisure
  • Blackpool Council
  • Everyone Active
  • Your Personal Training
  • Edinburgh Leisure
  • Oxford Brooke's University Sport
  • Nuffield
  • Places Leisure
  • Derby Active

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Find your stage

Where are you now?

Pick where you are now and we'll show you the jobs, training and status that come next.

A group of students working together on an outside bench

Explore careers

New to the sector and finding your direction.

A group of college students meeting up and talking in a communal area

In training

In training and want to know it leads somewhere real.

Mixed ethnic group of business professionals at a networking conference/meeting

Launch your career

Newly qualified and ready to find the right job.

A leisure duty manager stands at reception as she welcomes new members entering the building. She is dressed semi-casually in a blue collared shirt and a nametag on a lanyard around her neck. She has a stack of papers in her arms as she hands out registrations forms to patrons entering.

Grow and progress

Working in the sector and planning your next step.

Disabled young woman exercising in a gym with help of her coach

Excel and stand out

Experienced and ready for Chartered status.

A mature student using a tablet in an adult education class

Lead and influence

Shaping the sector and building your legacy

Not sure where to start?

Take the sport and physical activity career quiz

CIMSPA is the UK's chartered professional body for sport and physical activity. We guide your whole career from Practitioner to Chartered Senior Practitioner connecting you to jobs, training and recognised professional status.

Role spotlight

Sector occupations.

Explore and compare occupations from across the sector, see salary information and role requirements. 

View all occupations

Managersleaders
Active Schools Coordinator (Scotland)
An active schools coordinator works to encourage children and young people to take part in sport…
Managersleaders
Sports Development Officer
A sports development officer is responsible for promoting participation in sport and physical activity across communities.…
Practitioner
Health navigator
A health navigator helps adults improve their health and wellbeing by encouraging physical activity and supporting…
Practitioner
High-performance coach
High-performance coaches work with elite and professional athletes to help them achieve peak performance in their…
Managersleaders
Swim coordinator
A swim coordinator is typically responsible for organising and overseeing swimming programmes, lessons and activities at…
Managersleaders
Leisure duty manager
The leisure duty manager is responsible for overseeing the smooth and efficient day-to-day operation of a…
Practitioner
Pilates instructor
The role of the Pilates instructor is to engage, facilitate, educate and support clients within Pilates…
Practitioner
Assistant swimming teacher
The role of the assistant swimming teacher is to provide a fantastic experience to people learning…
Practitioner
Coach
A coach will improve a participant’s experience of sport and physical activity by providing specialised support…
Practitioner
Coaching assistant
A coaching assistant will improve a participant’s experience of sport and physical activity by supporting a…
Practitioner
Exercise referral practitioner
Exercise referral practitioners are health and fitness professionals who work with clients referred to them by…
Practitioner
Group exercise instructor
Group exercise instructors are fitness professionals who teach, lead and motivate groups of individuals through intentionally…
Practitioner
Gym instructor
The role of the gym instructor is to engage, facilitate, educate and support clients in the…
Practitioner
Lifeguard
The role of the lifeguard is to facilitate a safe aquatic environment to enable users to…
Practitioner
Personal trainer
Personal trainers work on a one-to-one or small-group basis to coach clients towards their health and…
Practitioner
Pool plant operative
The role of a pool plant operative is to manage the pool plant and surrounding amenities.…
Practitioner
Recreation assistant
The role of the recreation assistant is to support, enhance and deliver the day-to-day operations of…
Practitioner
Swimming teacher
The role of the swimming is to plan, deliver and evaluate a series of swimming lessons…
Practitioner
Tai Chi or Qi Gong for health and wellbeing instructor
Tai Chi and Qigong instructors, teach, lead and motivate groups and individuals through intentionally designed Tai Chi…
Practitioner
Yoga instructor
The role of the yoga instructor is to engage, facilitate, educate and support clients within yoga…
Managersleaders
Entry manager
Entry managers are employed in the sport and physical activity sector as individuals operating in a…
Managersleaders
General manager
General managers are individuals employed in the sport and physical activity sector who are experienced managers.…
Practitioner
Senior manager
Senior managers are individuals employed in the sport and physical activity sector who can take substantial…
Real experience

Real careers, real experiences.

People from across the sector share their experiences from every stage.

View all experiences

Jobs spotlight

Roles hiring now.

Find jobs across the UK, search by location, occupation and more.

Sports Coaching Apprenticeship

Provided by Essex Professional Coaching
Colchester
June 30, 2026

Health & Fitness Apprentice

Provided by Tees Active
Stockton On Tees
January 21, 2027

Self Employed Personal Trainer

Provided by Your Personal Training
Nationwide
December 31, 2026

View all jobs

Employer trust signals

Employers ask for it.

Professional status isn’t just for you, it’s how the sector’s employers shortlist.

Coach welcoming a new woman in the gym

EMPLOYER PARTNER

“We ask for Professional Status because it tells us a candidate can lead a team to our standard.”

Aisha N.
Personal Trainer, Manchester

A teacher supporting a group of teenage students with their assignments

EMPLOYER PARTNER

“Chartered Practitioner status is how we shortlist for senior roles. It's a mark we trust.”

Aisha N.
Personal Trainer, Manchester

Claim your status

Your career deserves professional recognition.

From practitioner status all the way to Chartered Senior Practitioner. CIMSPA membership gives you the tools, status and community to get there.