At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic sports and education centre, driving growth and operational excellence.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to sport, education, and community engagement.
- Benefits: Career development opportunities, supportive environment, and a chance to shape a flagship facility.
- Other info: Flexible working hours, including evenings and weekends, to suit your lifestyle.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in leisure, sport, or education sectors.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a dynamic and commercially driven General Manager to lead the Fylde Sports and Education Centre (FSEC). Reporting into senior leadership, you’ll take full responsibility for the performance, operations, and strategic development of a multi-use sports and education facility. This includes full P&L accountability, team leadership, and partnership development with education providers, sports organisations, and community stakeholders. You will play a key role in driving participation, revenue growth, and delivering high-quality sport, leisure, and education programmes, ensuring operational excellence across all areas of the centre.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver operational plans, KPIs, and budgets aligned to overall strategy
- Lead on business growth, increasing participation, revenue, and facility utilisation
- Oversee the safe and efficient day-to-day operation of all facilities and services
- Implement and maintain robust operational procedures (SOPs) across all functions
- Manage relationships with schools, colleges, and training providers to deliver high-quality programmes
- Ensure effective financial management, including budgeting, cost control, and performance reporting
- Identify trends through data analysis and drive continuous improvement initiatives
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team, including recruitment, onboarding, and performance management
- Champion a high-quality customer and learner experience, ensuring feedback drives improvements
- Represent the centre at stakeholder meetings, events, and community forums
- Ensure full compliance with health & safety, safeguarding, and regulatory requirements
What We’re Looking For
Knowledge & Experience
- Proven leadership experience within leisure, sport, education, or multi-use facilities
- Strong track record of commercial performance and budget management
- Experience working with or alongside education providers and structured programmes
- Understanding of health & safety, safeguarding, and compliance frameworks
- Ability to interpret financial data, performance metrics, and utilisation reports
Skills & Attributes
- Strong leadership and team development capability
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Commercially astute with strong organisational and planning ability
- Results-driven with a proactive and accountable mindset
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively under pressure
- Passion for sport, education, health, and community engagement
- Flexible approach to working hours, including evenings and weekends where required
Why Join Us?
Join a forward-thinking organisation committed to excellence in sport, education, and community engagement. We offer:
- Opportunities to shape and grow a flagship multi-use facility
- A collaborative and supportive working environment
- Career development within a growing leisure and education operation
General Manager - Fylde Sports and Education Centre employer: AFC Fylde
Join a forward-thinking organisation that prioritises excellence in sport, education, and community engagement at the Fylde Sports and Education Centre. As a General Manager, you will benefit from a collaborative and supportive work culture, with ample opportunities for career development and the chance to shape a flagship facility that serves the community. Enjoy a dynamic role where your leadership will drive participation and revenue growth while ensuring a high-quality experience for all users.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager - Fylde Sports and Education Centre
✨Get Involved in Local Sports Communities
Dive into your local sports scene! Attend community games, coaching sessions, and meet-ups. Building relationships with coaches and team managers can help you uncover job opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Leverage Internships and Volunteering
Even though you’re after a full-time role, don’t underestimate internships or volunteering in sports organisations. These positions not only give you hands-on experience but can also lead to permanent openings. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to make your face known in the industry!
✨Visit Sports Job Fairs
Keep an eye out for sports job fairs and career expos specific to the recreation management field. These events are goldmines for meeting hiring managers from organisations like AFC Fylde. Bring your A-game and be ready to chat about how you can contribute to their team!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to check out openings on our site! Our listings will often include positions at excellent organisations in sports recreation management, including AFC Fylde. Applying directly through our platform increases your chances of getting noticed by recruiters. Let's get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager - Fylde Sports and Education Centre
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining AFC Fylde aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at AFC Fylde
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with AFC Fylde, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration
In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.
