At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage Tandridge Leisure Centre, driving sales and ensuring excellent operational standards.
- Company: Join Freedom Leisure, a not-for-profit trust dedicated to improving community wellbeing through leisure activities.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, incremental holidays, 24/7 counselling, pension schemes, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Apply early as the position may close before the deadline due to high application volumes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while working in a fun and supportive environment.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in leisure facilities management with strong leadership and financial skills required.
The predicted salary is between 20466 - 40822 £ 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 our Tandridge Leisure Centre.
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 whole Centre. 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: 17th July 2026
Salary: up to £35,000 per annum
Freedom Leisure is proud to be an equal opportunities employer.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
General Manager - Full Time - Tandridge Leisure Centre employer: Freedom Leisure
Freedom Leisure in Hove is an excellent employer that prioritises outstanding customer service and teamwork, making it a rewarding place to work. With a supportive work environment, employees benefit from professional development opportunities and an attractive benefits package, ensuring that your contributions are valued and recognised. Join us to be part of a dynamic team dedicated to creating memorable experiences for our guests.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager - Full Time - Tandridge Leisure Centre
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the local community and its needs. Understanding the demographics and preferences of the people in Tandridge will help you demonstrate your commitment to improving their lives through leisure activities during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight specific instances where you motivated staff or improved team performance, as this is crucial for the General Manager role.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Freedom Leisure's current initiatives and programmes. Being knowledgeable about their existing offerings will allow you to suggest innovative ideas that align with their mission, showcasing your entrepreneurial spirit.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your financial acumen in detail. Be ready to explain how you've previously driven sales and managed budgets effectively, as these are key responsibilities for the General Manager position at the leisure centre.
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager - Full Time - Tandridge Leisure Centre
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in leisure management, financial acumen, and team leadership. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive sales 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 operational 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 customer satisfaction at previous leisure centres.
Highlight Community Engagement:Since the role involves working closely with the local community, emphasise any past experiences where you successfully engaged with community groups or implemented programmes that benefited local residents.
How to prepare for a job interview at Freedom Leisure
✨Show Your Passion for Community Engagement
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for supporting local communities and improving lives through leisure. Share specific examples of how you've engaged with community initiatives in the past, as this aligns perfectly with the values of Freedom Leisure.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Prepare to discuss your experience with budget management and financial performance. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully driven sales and managed expenditure in previous roles, as these are key qualities for the General Manager position.
✨Highlight Leadership Skills
Emphasise your ability to lead and motivate a team. Discuss your approach to managing staff, including recruitment and training, and how you ensure high operational standards. This will show that you can effectively manage the centre's team and operations.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Anticipate questions that may ask how you would handle specific challenges, such as tight deadlines or community engagement issues. Think through your responses in advance, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.