At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team to enhance community wellbeing through leisure activities.
- Company: Join Freedom Leisure, a not-for-profit trust dedicated to improving lives in local communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, incremental holidays, 24/7 counselling, and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while working in a fun, supportive environment that values your contributions.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in leisure facilities with strong leadership and financial management skills required.
- Other info: Apply early as the position may close before the deadline due to high interest.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 32000 £ per year.
Do you want to make a difference within your local community, supporting people to improve their lives through leisure? If you feel driven to inspire people to be more active, improve their wellbeing and would like a job that will make a real different to local people’s lives then Freedom Leisure is the place for you! We are a not-for-profit leisure trust with we have a strong purpose and commitment to support our local communities and hard-to-reach groups encouraging them to become more active, contributing to improved lives. From Swimming lessons, to walking football and everything in-between we are driven to provide fun and welcoming sessions to support the whole community to be active, both within our leisure centres and in the local community. We are looking for a General Manager to look after Sandwich Leisure Centre in Kent. We are looking for a Manager with proven entrepreneurial ability, financial acumen, who has a passion for high standards and can demonstrate a history of taking ownership and delivering results. You will have excellent commercial awareness which you can translate into the successful running of popular Leisure Centres. The ability to drive sales/income and ability to manage expenditure are key qualities for this role. Other key qualities would be the ability to lead, motivate and support the centre team and to be able to work with internal and external customers/stakeholders/local community. Your responsibilities will be varied and include: Business & Sales Management – Accountability for the business, budgetary and cost centre performance across the site. Ensuring that sales are driven forward, developing the business plan and leading colleagues to achieve key performance targets. Operational Management – leading the team to ensure excellent operational standards and record keeping is in place. Working with the team to provide all activities in a safe and welcoming environment. People Management – Managing and recruiting a team where necessary, to deliver an exciting leisure offering to the highest standards, so that the service delivers the financial performance in line with the bid proposal, and deliver our services in a way to engage with the whole community. Provide the necessary support and leadership to colleagues for ongoing management and development of all. You should have the necessary skills and experience to lead the Centre and engage the local community. The person we are looking for will have the ability to manage a number of priorities at the same time; will be able to build, lead and motivate colleagues and have a passion for the leisure and cultural services and events. The ability to deliver on tight deadlines under pressure is absolutely essential. We want our employees and customers to have the best experience possible. So, if this sounds like you, we want to hear from you. In the event that a high volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested. Hours: 37 hours a week, Monday to Sunday To develop and grow the membership, activity and attendance at the site To manage and be responsible for the centre’s income and expenditure To be the lead contact at site and report to the Area Manager To ensure that Freedom Leisure Policies, Procedures and Processes are fully adhered to To ensure the relevant site audits processes are managed To produce reports on various areas of the centre\’s operation and KPI’s At least 3 years’ experience in leisure facilities Experience of identifying staff training and development requirements and identifying development opportunities A passion for the industry demonstrated through continuous professional development. We want you to love coming to work, feeling healthy, happy and valued. That\’s why we\’ve developed a benefits package with you in mind, so what can we offer you? My Staff Shop, our very own staff benefit scheme, gives employees access to a great range of benefits. Get discounts on cinema tickets, travel bookings, high street e-vouchers, gift cards, days out, leisure activities and your day to day spending. Discounted Staff membership (including family members) Incremental holidays Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 confidential, independent and professional counselling. Company pension Various insurance and saving schemes Financial advice Cycle-to-work and Car Leasing tax-efficient schemes (salaried staff only, depending on earnings). All this as well as fully funded training and career progression opportunities in a team working environment supporting your local community to improve lives through leisure. Closing date: 20th June 2025 Salary: up to £28,127 per annum #J-18808-Ljbffr
General Manager - Full Time - Sandwich Leisure Centre employer: Freedom Leisure
Contact Detail:
Freedom Leisure Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager - Full Time - Sandwich Leisure Centre
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the local community and its needs. Understanding the demographics and preferences of the people in Sandwich will help you tailor your approach and demonstrate your commitment to improving their lives through leisure.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlighting your ability to motivate and support colleagues will be crucial in demonstrating that you're the right fit for this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Freedom Leisure's current initiatives and community programmes. Being knowledgeable about their existing projects will allow you to discuss how you can contribute to and enhance these efforts during your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your financial acumen and experience in managing budgets. Be ready to provide specific examples of how you've driven sales and managed expenditure effectively in previous roles, as this is a key aspect of the General Manager position.
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager - Full Time - Sandwich Leisure Centre
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in leisure management, sales, and team leadership. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive results and manage budgets effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the leisure industry and your commitment to community engagement. Mention how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, particularly in business and people management.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your previous roles, focus on quantifiable achievements. For instance, mention any successful initiatives you led that increased membership or improved operational standards at previous leisure centres.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Think about how you would respond to questions regarding your experience with budget management, team motivation, and community engagement. Be ready to provide examples of how you've handled challenges in these areas.
How to prepare for a job interview at Freedom Leisure
✨Show Your Passion for Community Engagement
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for improving the lives of local people through leisure activities. Share any relevant experiences where you've successfully engaged with the community or led initiatives that encouraged active lifestyles.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Prepare to discuss your experience with budget management and financial performance. Be ready to provide examples of how you've driven sales or managed expenditure effectively in previous roles, as this is crucial for the General Manager position.
✨Highlight Leadership Skills
Be prepared to talk about your leadership style and how you motivate teams. Share specific instances where you've successfully led a team to achieve targets or improve operational standards, as this will showcase your ability to manage and inspire staff.
✨Understand the Role's Responsibilities
Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description. Be ready to discuss how you would approach business and sales management, operational management, and people management at the Sandwich Leisure Centre.