At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team to create a vibrant community hub focused on wellbeing and leisure.
- Company: Join Freedom Leisure, a not-for-profit dedicated to improving local lives through active engagement.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, a pension scheme, and fully funded training for career growth.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to shape a brand new facility opening in 2026.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in leisure management with a passion for community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 22700 - 27200 £ 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
Requirements
- 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
Benefits
- 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: 20th March 2026
Salary: up to £27,201 per annum
General Manager - Full Time - Weldon Wellbeing Pavilion in Northfleet employer: Freedom Leisure
Contact Detail:
Freedom Leisure Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager - Full Time - Weldon Wellbeing Pavilion in Northfleet
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Freedom Leisure and the Weldon Wellbeing Pavilion. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out in interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to leisure and 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. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role of General Manager. Be ready to showcase your leadership skills and passion for community engagement.
✨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 Freedom Leisure team and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager - Full Time - Weldon Wellbeing Pavilion in Northfleet
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the leisure industry shine through! We want to see how driven you are to inspire others and improve their wellbeing. Share personal experiences or projects that highlight your commitment to making a difference in the community.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the General Manager role at Weldon Wellbeing Pavilion. Highlight your entrepreneurial skills, financial acumen, and any relevant experience in managing leisure facilities. This will show us that you understand what we're looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate well-organised applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and how you can contribute 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 the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised as we review applications.
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
Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight your ability to motivate and support colleagues, as well as how you've managed to deliver results under pressure. This is crucial for a General Manager role.
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
Since managing income and expenditure is key for this position, come ready to discuss your experience with budgeting and financial management. Bring examples of how you've driven sales or improved financial performance in previous roles.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Familiarise yourself with Freedom Leisure's mission and values. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their goal of improving community wellbeing through leisure activities.