At a Glance
- Tasks: Support daily operations and deliver exciting activities at the Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre.
- Company: Join BH Live, a leading charity and social enterprise in leisure and events.
- Benefits: Enjoy gym membership, health plans, training opportunities, and a celebratory day off.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact in your community while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience and teamwork skills are essential; First Aid qualification is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 26510 - 26510 £ per year.
Post Title: Recreation Assistant
Sites: Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre
Salary: Up to 26,510 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing date for receipt of applications: 11 August 2026
The role:
BH Live is recruiting for Recreation Assistants to join our team at the Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre. You will support the safe, effective and customer-focused day to day operations of the centre, whilst ensuring high standards of presentation, operational readiness, customer experience and activity delivery across all areas.
You will:
- Support the delivery of activities, bookings, events and operational programming across the Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre.
- Prepare, set up and clear down sports facilities, activity areas and operational spaces.
- Support opening and closing procedures, key holding responsibilities, site security arrangements and operational readiness checks as required.
- Carry out operational inspections, equipment checks and routine monitoring across the facility, taking action to rectify minor issues where appropriate.
- Support the maintenance and presentation of all areas across the Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre.
- Undertake routine operational tasks to ensure the facilities remain safe, compliant and operationally ready.
- Report accidents, incidents, defects and operational concerns through appropriate procedures and support follow-up actions where required.
To be successful you will need:
- Previous experience of working within a customer service, leisure, sport or operational environment.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- The ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Understanding of health safety procedures.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
- A First Aid qualification (or willingness to obtain the qualification within 8 weeks).
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 UKs 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
We are making a positive difference across the communities we serve.
Our organisation is changing lives - placing us at the heart of the UKs growing social economy. We host hundreds of events a year; sell more than half a million cultural, and entertainment tickets; clock up millions of leisure centre visits, and welcome thousands of conference and exhibition delegates. As well as promoting community health and wellbeing, this generates millions of pounds in economic benefit for the local economy through business and cultural tourism.
As a social enterprise, we don't pay dividends to shareholders. Every pound we make is used to run our business and generate a surplus to reinvest and enhance our centres and facilities for public benefit.
We're BH Live, and we make things happen.
To apply:
All applications are to be made via the BH Live Careers site: careers.bhlive.org.uk.
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.
Recreation Assistant - Southampton employer: BH Live
BH Live is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises community engagement and employee well-being at our Active Stokewood location in Bournemouth. With a focus on professional development, we provide numerous growth opportunities alongside benefits such as onsite parking and health cash plans, making it a rewarding place to build your career in recreation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Recreation Assistant - Southampton
✨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 Recreation Assistant - Southampton
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.
