Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage a diverse outdoor activity centre, ensuring high-quality experiences for all users.
- Company: Join Hampshire County Council at Calshot Activities Centre, a top UK outdoor destination.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive leave, employee support, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in outdoor education while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Senior management experience in outdoor education and qualifications in multiple activities required.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and innovative environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Full-time position, Permanent employment.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Centre Manager to join our Calshot Activities Centre team at Hampshire County Council.
Are you looking for a challenging and diverse leadership role, working as part of a friendly and supportive team, with an opportunity to make a real difference? Calshot Activities Centre is one of the UK\’s largest and most diverse residential outdoor activity centres, located on the scenic South Coast at the entrance to Southampton Water.
The Role:
As Calshot Centre Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the centre, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, safe, and inclusive outdoor learning and recreational experiences. You will lead a dedicated team, drive continuous improvement, and maintain the centre\’s approach to quality and safety.
What you\’ll do:
- Lead, develop, and manage Calshot Activities Centre, ensuring outstanding, safe, and accessible outdoor experiences for a diverse range of users.
- Provide strategic and operational leadership, including staff management, business planning, partnership development, and continuous improvement.
- Lead the implementation of the Calshot Asset Strategy and contribute to long-term planning, sustainability, growth, and innovation.
- Oversee health and safety, safeguarding, and risk management, ensuring robust processes and compliance.
- Operate as Operational Budget Holder, responsible for budget planning and monitoring.
- Ensure a high-quality experience for all users through excellent customer service and well-maintained facilities.
- Develop income streams and business opportunities and monitor key performance indicators.
- Deputise for the Head of Service, contributing to the strategic direction and performance monitoring of Hampshire Outdoor Centres.
- Represent the service at a national level and act as a technical expert and advisor where qualified.
What we\’re looking for:
- Senior management experience in outdoor education or centre leadership.
- Qualifications in at least four outdoor activities (including a higher-level coaching qualification).
- A Level grade A-C in English and Maths (or equivalent).
- Strong leadership, people management, and communication skills.
- Experience in business planning, budget management, and partnership working.
- Commitment to safety, safeguarding, and environmental sustainability.
- Ability to innovate, manage change, and deliver excellent customer service.
We are recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK with a focus on providing quality services and support to the people of Hampshire. We offer an excellent benefits package, including:
- Competitive annual leave entitlement
- Employee Support and Wellbeing
- A range of flexible working options
This role will require an enhanced DBS check.
Centre Manager - Southampton employer: Institute for Outdoor Learning
Contact Detail:
Institute for Outdoor Learning Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Centre Manager - Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the outdoor education sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Centre Manager 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 interviews by researching the Calshot Activities Centre and its values. Show us that you understand their mission and how your leadership style aligns with their goals. Tailor your responses to highlight your experience in managing outdoor activities and ensuring safety.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings! Be proactive and reach out directly to the hiring team at Hampshire County Council. Express your interest in the Centre Manager position and ask if they’d be open to a chat about your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Utilise our website to apply! We’ve got all the resources you need to make your application stand out. Make sure to showcase your qualifications in outdoor activities and your commitment to safety and sustainability in your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Centre Manager - Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for outdoor education and leadership shine through. We want to see how much you care about providing safe and inclusive experiences at Calshot Activities Centre.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in outdoor activities and management. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills in leading teams and ensuring safety, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so use bullet points where possible and avoid jargon. This helps us quickly see why you’d be a great fit for the role.
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 Calshot Activities Centre.
How to prepare for a job interview at Institute for Outdoor Learning
✨Know Your Centre Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you research Calshot Activities Centre thoroughly. Understand its mission, values, and the range of activities offered. This will help you demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and how your leadership style aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your senior management experience in outdoor education or centre leadership. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led teams, managed budgets, and implemented strategic plans to improve services.
✨Emphasise Safety and Compliance
Given the importance of health and safety in this role, be prepared to discuss your approach to risk management and safeguarding. Share any relevant experiences where you ensured compliance and maintained high safety standards in previous positions.
✨Demonstrate Your Customer Service Skills
Think of examples that showcase your commitment to delivering excellent customer service. Discuss how you've developed income streams and business opportunities while ensuring a high-quality experience for users. This will show that you understand the balance between operational success and customer satisfaction.