At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate in community leisure services, ensuring high standards and operational excellence.
- Company: Horizon Leisure Trust, a charity dedicated to improving community health and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, generous leave, and health benefits.
- Other info: Opportunity for relocation support and career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community health while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Five years in senior leisure or commercial leadership with strong operational skills.
The predicted salary is between 59576 - 68231 £ per year.
Horizon Leisure Trust is a registered charity and community leisure trust with a genuine social purpose, operating major leisure centres in Havant, Waterlooville, and Guildford, alongside a dedicated Wellbeing Hub in Havant. We exist to make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve, and everything we do is shaped by that mission. As part of our ongoing growth and development, we are seeking an exceptional leisure professional to join our Senior Leadership Team as Head of Leisure. This role will be central to delivering Horizon’s five-year strategic plan. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, the postholder will lead the operational delivery of our services, ensuring that all centres and community assets consistently deliver exceptional standards of service, safety, and performance.
Through visible leadership, the role will build and develop high performing teams, fostering an inclusive, accountable, and customer focused culture that empowers colleagues to perform at their best. The postholder will champion innovation and continuous improvement, supporting Horizon’s ambitions for commercial growth, community impact, and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the operational strategy and delivery across all Horizon sites, ensuring consistent high standards and a proactive, solutions-focused culture.
- Lead on health and safety across all sites, ensuring robust governance, empowering the Health and Safety Manager, and cultivating a proactive culture of safety and compliance.
- Drive income generation and commercial performance across core areas including Health & Fitness, Learn to Swim, Soft Play, Events, and Hospitality.
- Hold full profit and loss responsibility, ensuring financial targets are met and resources are optimised.
- Manage organisational change effectively, embedding continuous improvement and operational resilience.
- Provide strong leadership and development for operational and commercial teams, promoting ownership and high performance.
- Collaborate with the Marketing team to shape and execute commercial campaigns that drive engagement and growth.
- Support the Chief Executive in building and maintaining strategic relationships with external stakeholders, local authorities, and community partners.
- Lead and support major capital and business development projects aligned with Horizon’s long-term objectives.
We are seeking a senior leisure professional who brings:
- A minimum of five years’ experience in a senior operational or commercial leadership role within the leisure, health and fitness, or contract management sectors.
- Proven success in managing multi-site operations and delivering high-quality customer experiences.
- Strong commercial acumen with a track record of income generation and budgetary control.
- Demonstrated ability to lead change, challenge existing processes, and embed a culture of continuous improvement.
- A modern, people-focused leadership style with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience in capital project delivery and strategic business case development.
In addition to a competitive basic salary of £70,000, there is the potential to earn a 5K annual performance bonus. Benefits include 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service), a matched pension contribution of 5%, BUPA Medical and Dental, Smart Health Online GP Access, Death in Service x3, Free Membership x 2 and access to Reward Gateway’s discount platform. A relocation package can be considered for the right candidate.
To apply please forward your CV to David Peacock, Recruitment Director at our retained recruitment partners – Leisure People dp@leisurepeople.com. For an informal discussion David can be contacted on 07974 313421. Closing date Sunday 19th July 2026.
Locations
Head of Leisure - Havant, Hampshire employer: Horizon Leisure Centres
Horizon Leisure Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to enhancing community health and wellbeing through its leisure services in Havant, Waterlooville, and Guildford. With a strong focus on employee development, a supportive work culture, and a commitment to innovation, we offer competitive benefits including a generous annual leave policy, healthcare provisions, and opportunities for professional growth. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling career in a vibrant and inclusive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Leisure - Havant, Hampshire
✨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 Horizon Leisure Centres. 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 Horizon Leisure Centres. 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 Head of Leisure - Havant, Hampshire
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 Horizon Leisure Centres 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 Horizon Leisure Centres
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Horizon Leisure Centres, 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.
