At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams across four vibrant leisure sites in Portsmouth.
- Company: Join BH Live, a leading charity and social enterprise in leisure and events.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, gym membership, training opportunities, and more.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent growth potential and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community health and wellbeing while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing large teams and P&L budgets is essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 £ per year.
Sites: BH Live Active - Portsmouth; Multi Site role covering the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth Gymnastics Centre, Portsmouth Tennis Centre and Charter Community Sports Centre.
Salary: 50,000 - 55,000 per annum (dependant on experience)
Hours: 40 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing date for receipt of applications: Sunday 5 July 2026
The role: We are looking for an experienced General Manager, to lead our teams across four leisure sites in Portsmouth; The Mountbatten centre, the city's flagship leisure and sports centre, as well as Portsmouth Gymnastics Centre and Portsmouth Tennis Centre and Charter Community Sports Centre. You will lead, coach, and support a team of heads of departments, who in turn manage colleagues across a range of areas, including operations, health and wellbeing, sales, recreation, hospitality, coaching and junior activities across all four sites.
You will:
- Be fully accountable for the commercial performance and programming of the sites.
- Attend partnership meetings with Portsmouth City Council, ensuring reports and financial information is submitted on time.
- Lead by example, coach, inspire and empower your team to outperform against all metrics.
- Have a strong focus on recruitment, colleague training and internal development.
- Consistently deliver great experiences for our customers.
- Deliver the highest levels of operational excellence and ensure compliance with health and safety.
- Continually encourage and deliver innovation within service and business plans.
- Write and prepare regular reports and analysis for both internal and external stakeholders.
To be successful you will need:
- Commercial acumen with experience of managing P&L budgets up to 1.5 million pound turnover.
- Robust business planning knowledge and management of performance through KPIs.
- Inspirational leadership and coaching experience managing large team of colleagues.
- Commercially astute with a strong background driving high volumes of sales and key performance indicators.
- Possess a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of health and safety.
- A professional management qualification or equivalent.
You will work a combination of shifts during the week and you will need to be available to work some weekends. This role would suit an experienced General Manager who is looking for their next career step.
We offer:
- Onsite parking
- Training and development opportunities
- BH Live Active - Gym membership
- Health cash plan
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Company pension matched up to 6% contributions
- Colleague discount on food and drink
- Colleague recognition
- Birthday / Celebratory day off
- Loyalty Rewards
About BH Live: We are one of the UK's leading leisure and event venue operators - a registered charity and social enterprise. Our geographical reach spans across multiple venues, leisure centres and attractions across Portsmouth, Southampton, Croydon and the BCP region with millions of visits per year. Our organisational and charitable purpose is to generate:
- More participation - through the provision of leisure facilities to encourage active communities, improved health, and wellbeing
- Higher audiences - through the provision of a diverse range of cultural and artistic events that appeal to a wide audience
- Greater economic and social benefit - through hosting major conferences, exhibitions, and events for the benefit of the local, regional, and international economies and people
To apply: All applications are to be made via the BH Live Careers site - https://careers.bhlive.org.uk/ The full job description for the role can be found on the BH Live Careers site. BH Live reserves the right to close the vacancy early should sufficient applications be received. We therefore highly recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible.
Locations
Multi Site General Manager - Portsmouth employer: BH Live
BH Live is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises employee growth and development across its four leisure sites in Portsmouth. With competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits including gym memberships, health cash plans, and a supportive environment focused on innovation and community engagement, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling career in the leisure industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Multi Site General Manager - Portsmouth
✨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 BH Live. 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 BH Live. 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 Multi Site General Manager - Portsmouth
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 BH Live 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 BH Live
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with BH Live, 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.
