At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team to create a vibrant community hub focused on health and wellbeing.
- Company: Join Freedom Leisure, a not-for-profit dedicated to improving local lives through active engagement.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible hours, and the chance to make a real community impact.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to build a new facility from the ground up with excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Shape a brand new leisure centre and help your community thrive through fun activities.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership skills, business acumen, and a passion for community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are excited to welcome our new team starting from May 2026. If you feel driven to inspire people to be more active, improve their wellbeing and would like a job that will make a real difference to local people’s lives then Freedom Leisure is the place for you! We are a not-for-profit leisure trust with 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.
About the Weldon Wellbeing Pavilion
The Weldon Wellbeing Pavilion is a brand new purpose built community leisure and wellbeing hub opening in early 2026. The Pavilion aims to improve lives through leisure by providing inclusive, affordable and sustainable activity spaces for the entire community. Developed in partnership with Ebbsfleet Garden City Trust, the Pavilion will be a vibrant local centre supporting health, fitness, sport and community events.
Facilities You’ll Be Part Of
- A fully equipped gym
- Multi use fitness studio for classes and group exercise
- Community hall (capacity up to 200 people) for sports & private hire
- 3G football pitch and tennis court
- Changing rooms and a fully accessible Changing Places facility
- On site café, breakout spaces & reception area
This is an exciting opportunity to help shape a new community hub from the ground up. We are looking for a General Manager to look after the new Weldon Wellbeing Pavilion. 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
Required skills: Business Management, Leadership, People Management, Sales Management, Recruitment, Financial Acumen
Required languages: English
General Manager – Leisure Center Growth & Community Impact employer: Freedom Leisure
At Freedom Leisure, we are dedicated to making a positive impact in our communities through inclusive and affordable leisure activities. As a not-for-profit leisure trust, we offer a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development, allowing you to inspire others while enjoying the benefits of working in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility at the Weldon Wellbeing Pavilion. Join us in creating a vibrant hub for health and fitness, where your contributions will truly enhance the lives of local residents.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager – Leisure Center Growth & Community Impact
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Freedom Leisure and the Weldon Wellbeing Pavilion. Understand their mission, values, and community impact. This will help you tailor your approach and show them you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to leisure and community wellbeing. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions and scenarios relevant to the role. Think about how your experience aligns with their goals of improving community wellbeing and driving sales. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager – Leisure Center Growth & Community Impact
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for promoting active lifestyles shine through. We want to see how you can inspire others and make a real difference in the community!
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in business management and people leadership. We’re looking for someone who can drive sales and manage a team effectively, so connect your past roles to what we need at the Weldon Wellbeing Pavilion.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you the perfect fit for this role. Remember, we want to know about your achievements and how they relate to our mission!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Freedom Leisure.
How to prepare for a job interview at Freedom Leisure
✨Know Your Community
Before the interview, take some time to research the local community and its needs. Understand how the Weldon Wellbeing Pavilion can make a difference in people's lives. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you connect with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about specific situations where you motivated your team or improved performance. Highlight your ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results under pressure, as this is crucial for the General Manager role.
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
Be ready to discuss your experience with budget management and financial performance. Prepare to explain how you've driven sales and managed costs in previous roles. This will demonstrate that you have the commercial awareness needed to run a successful leisure centre.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Familiarise yourself with Freedom Leisure's mission and values. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with their commitment to community engagement and wellbeing. Showing that you're on board with their vision will set you apart from other candidates.
