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- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to enhance community wellbeing through leisure services.
- Company: Join Freedom Leisure, a fast-growing cultural trust making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, incremental holidays, and fully funded training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on local lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational management and a passion for leisure services.
- Other info: Flexible hours with excellent career progression in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 55000 £ per year.
Join the Energy at Freedom Leisure - Do Good Feel Good! 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! An outstanding opportunity has arisen to join our team at Freedom Leisure, one of the fastest growing and successful leisure and cultural trusts in the UK. We are seeking an experienced and inspirational Area Manager to lead our Leisure Partnership in the Arun district.
The following sites within the Arun contract are Arun Leisure Centre, Bersted Park Community Centre, Littlehampton Wave and The Windmill Entertainment Centre.
Responsibilities- Business & Sales Management - Accountability for the business, budgetary and cost centre performance across sites in your area. Ensuring that sales are driven forward, developing the business plan and leading a staff team to achieve key performance targets.
- Operational Management - Ensuring the day to day management and running of the leisure services and events is of the highest standard.
- People Management - Ensuring that work standards and performance are at the highest level through the effective recruitment, day to day leadership, management and development of all staff.
- Partnership Management - Develop outstanding working relationships and liaise regularly with local authority partners to ensure delivery of their objectives and compliance with the contract.
Hours: 37 hours a week - Flexible to meet the demands of the business
Requirements- You may already be an Area Manager or an experienced leader in a public/private sector organisation looking for the next step.
- The person we are looking for will have the ability to manage a number of priorities at the same time; will be able to lead and motivate staff and have a passion for the leisure services and events.
- Previous experience in a senior operational leisure role.
- Proven track record of leading and managing a change in culture.
- Experience of leading a multi-site operation that includes large scale events.
- Outstanding commercial awareness with experience of managing and delivering sales targets and income performance.
- Excellent IT skills to be able to produce and interpret reports and data.
- Awareness of industry developments and trends.
- Problem solving, project management, customer service and staff management experience.
- My Staff Shop, our very own staff benefit scheme, gives employees access to a great range of benefits including 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).
- Fully funded training and career progression opportunities in a team working environment supporting your local community to improve lives through leisure.
Closing date: 20th February 2026
Salary: up to £47,780 per annum + car allowance
Area Manager - Full Time - Arun in Rustington employer: Freedom Leisure
Contact Detail:
Freedom Leisure Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Area Manager - Full Time - Arun in Rustington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the leisure industry, especially those connected to Freedom Leisure. Attend local events or workshops to meet potential colleagues and partners – you never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for the role! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, share your enthusiasm for improving community wellbeing through leisure services. Let them see how your values align with Freedom Leisure's mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching the latest trends in the leisure industry. Be ready to discuss how you can drive sales and improve operational management at multiple sites. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also a forward-thinking leader.
✨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 Arun district.
We think you need these skills to ace Area Manager - Full Time - Arun in Rustington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for leisure services shine through! We want to see how driven you are to inspire others and improve wellbeing in the community.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in managing teams and operations. We’re looking for someone who can juggle multiple priorities, so give us examples that showcase your leadership skills and operational know-how.
Be Data Savvy: Since we value commercial awareness, include any experience you have with managing budgets or achieving sales targets. Show us how you’ve used data to drive performance in your previous roles!
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 Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you research Freedom Leisure and their mission. Understand their values and how they aim to improve community wellbeing. This will help you align your answers with what they’re looking for in an Area Manager.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about specific situations where you motivated staff or managed change effectively. Be ready to discuss your approach to people management and how you ensure high performance.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Since the role involves business and sales management, come prepared with insights on how you’ve driven sales in previous roles. Discuss any strategies you’ve implemented that resulted in increased income performance, as this will show you understand the financial side of the operation.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the challenges the team currently faces or how they measure success in the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
