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- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to improve community leisure services and achieve operational goals.
- Company: Join a leading charitable leisure trust dedicated to enhancing lives through leisure.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, electric car, performance bonuses, and generous holiday increments.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in communities while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in leisure operations and strong team leadership abilities required.
- Other info: Flexible location with travel across sites; great career growth opportunities await!
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 120000 £ per year.
As one of the UK's leading charitable leisure trusts, we're proud of our mission of Improving Lives Through Leisure. We're here to help communities live healthier, happier lives by making our centres welcoming, inclusive and accessible to everyone – because everyone deserves to feel good. We're all about delivering amazing customer service and creating spaces where people feel at home, supported and inspired.
Responsibilities
- Lead, support and develop Regional Managers to achieve financial and operational targets.
- Ensure high-quality service delivery and well-maintained facilities across all centres.
- Drive customer-focused programming and ensure services reflect our Diversity & Inclusion commitments.
- Act as a senior liaison with local authority partners and maintain strong contract performance.
- Participate fully in the Executive Team decision making processes.
- Contribute to business planning, strategic development and tender submissions.
- Champion positive leadership, clear communication and a high-performance culture across your teams.
Qualifications
- Significant experience in operational management within the leisure sector and the ability to build, lead and motivate high-performing teams.
- Experience of business planning, developing operational strategy and playing a key role in tender processes and contract mobilisation.
- Well developed interpersonal skills, able to negotiate and influence people both internally and externally.
- Team orientated approach; able to work across organisation boundaries and demonstrate interest in and be supportive of colleagues.
- Able to work flexibly with a high level of autonomy.
- Mobility to travel across sites.
- Good communication and presentation skills; able to think on your feet and respond to difficult questions.
- Excellent time management skills – able to deal with a number of priorities at once and keep total workload in hand.
- A self-starter who inspires others with their passion and energy.
- Education to degree level or equivalent is advantageous but not essential.
Benefits
- Company electric car plus car allowance
- Up to 10% of annual salary discretionary performance bonus scheme
- Company pension with enhanced employer contribution rates
- Contribution towards private medical insurance
- My Staff Shop; our staff benefit scheme, gives employees access to a great range of benefits
- Discounted staff membership (including family members)
- Incremental holidays
Please note that the location can be flexible and negotiated on appointment but, as this role requires extensive travel to our sites and a regular presence at our Head Office in East Sussex (minimum of fortnightly), this is not a home-working role.
Freedom Leisure’s commitment is that every qualified person will be evaluated according to skills regardless of age, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability status, or religion.
Operations Director - Full Time in Milton Keynes employer: Freedom Leisure
Contact Detail:
Freedom Leisure Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director - Full Time in Milton Keynes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the leisure sector and let them know you're on the hunt for an Operations Director role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company’s mission and values. Since they’re all about improving lives through leisure, think of examples from your past that showcase how you've delivered amazing customer service and fostered inclusivity.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in building and motivating high-performing teams. Share stories that demonstrate your ability to drive results and maintain strong relationships with partners.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of a team that’s committed to making a difference in communities.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director - Full Time in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Leisure: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for improving lives through leisure shine through. We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission and how you can contribute to creating welcoming spaces for everyone.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your operational management experience in the leisure sector. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've led teams and achieved targets, so don’t hold back on those details!
Communicate Clearly: Your written application should reflect your excellent communication skills. Keep it clear and concise, and make sure to address how you can drive customer-focused programming and uphold our Diversity & Inclusion commitments.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Don’t wait too long – apply before the closing date!
How to prepare for a job interview at Freedom Leisure
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the mission of the organisation and how it aligns with your values. Familiarise yourself with their services, especially around customer service and community engagement, as these are key to the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your experience in leading teams and driving performance. Think about specific situations where you've motivated others or improved service delivery, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific challenges in operations management. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making skills, especially in relation to diversity and inclusion initiatives.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about their future plans for community engagement or how they measure success in service delivery, which will demonstrate your strategic thinking.
