At a Glance
- Tasks: Oversee daily operations at Bitterne Leisure Centre, ensuring safety and excellent customer service.
- Company: Join BH Live, a leading leisure provider with a focus on community health and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy gym membership, training opportunities, and a matched pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for career growth and colleague recognition.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while gaining valuable management experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in leisure centres, strong communication skills, and lifeguard certification required.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
BH Live is recruiting for a Duty Manager to join our team at Bitterne Leisure Centre. You will oversee the day‑to‑day operations of the leisure centre, ensuring the safety, cleanliness, efficiency, and excellent customer service across all areas. Bitterne Leisure Centre is a multi‑complex facility, offering activities for visitors of all ages and abilities to help improve health and wellbeing. Swimming lessons and sessions take place regularly across a 25m main pool (complete with a water slide) and a 10m learner pool. There is also a state‑of‑the‑art gym complete with cardio and strength areas, and group exercise classes are delivered in dedicated studios. A sports hall is available for sports, block bookings and general hire.
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.
Responsibilities
- Supervise and support colleagues including lifeguards, receptionists, instructors, and cleaners.
- Ensure each department has the appropriate level of staffing and be responsible for the coordination of reactive shift cover.
- Ensure high standards of customer service across all areas of the centre.
- Resolve complaints efficiently and courteously.
- Be responsible for and coordinate the safe evacuation of members of the public and colleagues in the event of an emergency.
- Ensure the centre opens and closes safely and on time, in line with operational procedures.
- Carry out visual building inspections of the building and report any issues to our technical team.
- Conduct and document regular facility checks including pool tests, fire exits, gym equipment, and cleanliness standards.
- Be responsible for the security of the building whilst on duty and respond to emergency calls when off duty.
- Act as the designated First Aider and Pool Responder/Lifeguard as required.
Qualifications
- Operational experience of working within a leisure centre.
- Strong communication and previous experience of managing or supervising people.
- A recognised Pool Lifeguard qualification (e.g., NPLQ) and a first aid at work certificate.
- Good organisation and attention to detail.
- A customer‑focussed approach.
- The ability to remain calm under pressure.
- Previous experience in a similar role is highly desirable.
Benefits
- Onsite parking
- Training and development opportunities
- Gym membership
- Health cash plan
- Company pension matched up to 6% contributions
- Colleague discount on food and drink
- Colleague recognition
- Birthday / Celebratory day off
- Loyalty Rewards
Duty Manager - Southampton employer: BH Live
BH Live is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture at Bitterne Leisure Centre where teamwork and community engagement are at the forefront. Employees benefit from comprehensive training and development opportunities, a supportive environment that prioritises health and wellbeing, and unique perks such as gym membership and loyalty rewards. Join us in making a positive impact on the local community while enjoying a fulfilling career in leisure management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Duty Manager - Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Bitterne Leisure Centre before your interview! Visit the facility, chat with staff, and understand the vibe. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! As a Duty Manager, you'll need to manage a team and handle customer complaints. Role-play common scenarios with a friend to boost your confidence and refine your responses.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your organisational skills! Prepare a list of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed teams or resolved issues. This will demonstrate your ability to keep things running smoothly at the leisure centre.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Duty Manager - Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in leisure management and customer service. We want to see how your skills match the role of Duty Manager, so don’t be shy about showcasing your operational experience!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about working at Bitterne Leisure Centre and how you can contribute to our mission of promoting health and wellbeing in the community.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Duty Manager, you'll be supervising a team. Make sure to highlight any previous experience managing or supporting colleagues. We love to see examples of how you've resolved conflicts or improved team performance!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at BH Live
✨Know the Centre Inside Out
Before your interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with Bitterne Leisure Centre. Understand the facilities, the types of activities offered, and the customer demographics. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your enthusiasm and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Duty Manager, you'll be supervising various staff members. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or resolved conflicts. Highlight your communication skills and how you ensure high standards of customer service, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Prepare for Emergency Scenarios
Given the responsibilities around safety and emergency procedures, think about how you would handle different situations. Be ready to discuss your approach to ensuring safety and how you would coordinate evacuations or respond to emergencies. This will show your ability to remain calm under pressure.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how success is measured in the role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the position is the right fit for you.
