At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team to enhance community wellbeing through leisure activities.
- Company: Join Freedom Leisure, a not-for-profit dedicated to improving lives in your local community.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, incremental holidays, and fully funded training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team focused on community engagement and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in leisure facilities with strong leadership and financial skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 35000 £ 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 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. 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 manage expenditure are key qualities for this role. Other key qualities include the ability to lead, motivate and support the centre team and 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 delivers 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:
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 in Oxted employer: Freedom Leisure
Freedom Leisure is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact in the local community through leisure services. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including discounts, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work culture that values teamwork and community engagement. Join us at Tandridge Leisure Centre, where your passion for improving lives through leisure can flourish in a rewarding and fulfilling environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager - Full Time - Tandridge Leisure Centre in Oxted
✨Get Involved in Local Sports Communities
Dive into your local sports scene! Attend community games, coaching sessions, and meet-ups. Building relationships with coaches and team managers can help you uncover job opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Leverage Internships and Volunteering
Even though you’re after a full-time role, don’t underestimate internships or volunteering in sports organisations. These positions not only give you hands-on experience but can also lead to permanent openings. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to make your face known in the industry!
✨Visit Sports Job Fairs
Keep an eye out for sports job fairs and career expos specific to the recreation management field. These events are goldmines for meeting hiring managers from organisations like Freedom Leisure. Bring your A-game and be ready to chat about how you can contribute to their team!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to check out openings on our site! Our listings will often include positions at excellent organisations in sports recreation management, including Freedom Leisure. Applying directly through our platform increases your chances of getting noticed by recruiters. Let's get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager - Full Time - Tandridge Leisure Centre in Oxted
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining Freedom Leisure aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Freedom Leisure
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Freedom Leisure, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration
In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.
