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- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to enhance leisure centres and cultural venues.
- Company: Join a leading charitable leisure trust dedicated to improving lives.
- Benefits: Electric car, performance bonuses, enhanced pension, and discounted memberships.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in communities while enjoying a supportive work environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational management and team leadership in the leisure sector.
- Other info: Flexible working with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced Operations Director to lead the strategic and operational performance of our leisure centres and cultural venues. You will lead Regional Managers, drive commercial results, ensure exceptional service delivery and play a key role in shaping our organisational strategy as part of the Executive Team.
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.
The successful candidate will have significant experience in operational management within the leisure sector, along with the ability to build, lead and motivate high-performing teams. You will also have 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-oriented 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.
About us:
As one of the UK’s leading charitable leisure trusts, we are proud of our mission of Improving Lives Through Leisure. We are 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 are all about delivering amazing customer service and creating spaces where people feel at home, supported and inspired. We want you to love coming to work, feeling healthy, happy and valued. That’s why we have developed a benefits package with you in mind.
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 very own staff benefit scheme, gives employees access to a great range of benefits.
- Discounted Staff membership (including family members)
- Incremental holidays
Operations Director - Full Time in South Chailey 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 South Chailey
✨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 job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its values. Make sure you can articulate how your experience aligns with their mission of improving lives through leisure. Show them you're not just a fit for the role, but for their culture too!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! As an Operations Director, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Get comfortable discussing your past achievements and how you can drive commercial results in their organisation.
✨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 joining our mission to create welcoming and inclusive spaces for everyone.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director - Full Time in South Chailey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in operational management within the leisure sector. We want to see how your skills align with our mission of Improving Lives Through Leisure!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As an Operations Director, you'll be leading teams, so don’t forget to emphasise your ability to build and motivate high-performing teams. Share specific examples of how you've championed positive leadership in your previous roles.
Highlight Your Customer Focus: We’re all about delivering amazing customer service, so make sure to include any relevant experience you have in driving customer-focused programming. Show us how you’ve ensured services reflect diversity and inclusion commitments in your past roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Freedom Leisure
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the operations of leisure centres and cultural venues. Familiarise yourself with their strategic goals, service delivery standards, and any recent changes in management or programming. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your approach to leading and developing teams. Share specific examples of how you've motivated Regional Managers or similar roles in the past. Highlight your ability to foster a high-performance culture and how you’ve championed positive leadership in previous positions.
✨Demonstrate Customer Focus
Since customer service is key, think of ways you've driven customer-focused programming in your past roles. Be ready to discuss how you ensure services reflect diversity and inclusion commitments, as this aligns with their mission of improving lives through leisure.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Expect questions about business planning and operational strategy. Brush up on your experience with tender submissions and contract performance. Prepare to articulate how you can contribute to the Executive Team's decision-making processes and drive commercial results effectively.
