At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant leisure venue and inspire a team of swimming instructors.
- Company: Join a family-focused leisure operator with exciting growth plans.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, quarterly bonuses, 29 days holiday, and fully funded training.
- Why this job: Make a splash in your career while helping kids learn to swim!
- Qualifications: Leadership experience in leisure or customer service, plus great communication skills.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for career progression with new venues opening soon.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 42000 Β£ per year.
We are looking for an energetic, hands-on General Manager to lead a modern, purpose-built leisure venue in Warrington. You'll oversee a team of around 30 swimming instructors, alongside your Assistant Manager and Team Leader, delivering hundreds of junior swimming lessons each week. As General Manager you'll be responsible for meeting and exceeding your sales targets whilst ensuring the highest levels of teaching and customer service to the participants and their parents underpinned at all times by operational excellence and the highest levels of health and safety.
What You'll Do
- Hands on, leading day-to-day operations, working shifts between 8am - 8pm and 1 weekend in 2.
- Coach, motivate, and develop your team to deliver exceptional customer service.
- Manage staffing rotas, schedules, and budgets.
- Drive local sales, membership growth, and customer retention.
- Manage and convert incoming leads through centrally generated leads and enquiries.
- Build strong relationships with schools, nurseries, and the local community.
- Monitor performance data and customer feedback to improve standards.
- Lead recruitment, onboarding, training, and retention of instructors.
About You
- Proven leadership experience in leisure, hospitality, or customer-facing environments.
- Strong operational focus, attention to detail, and commitment to health & safety.
- Confident communicator with excellent coaching skills.
- Pool Plant Operator qualification (or willingness to train).
What's On Offer
- Competitive salary of Β£35K + quarterly bonus up to Β£1,500 (OTE Β£40K+).
- 29 days holiday including bank holidays.
- Fully funded training and development.
- Opportunities to grow with new venue openings in 2026 and 2027.
- Career progression within a rapidly expanding, family-focused leisure operator.
Interviews will be taking place in late January.
General Manager - Learn to Swim in Manchester employer: Leisure People
Contact Detail:
Leisure People Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land General Manager - Learn to Swim in Manchester
β¨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research their values, mission, and recent news. This way, when you walk into that interview, you can show them you're not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about their vision.
β¨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Grab a mate and do some mock interviews. Focus on common questions for a General Manager role, like how you'd handle team dynamics or drive sales. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll shine in the real deal.
β¨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to leisure and swimming. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral β which is always a bonus!
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager - Learn to Swim in Manchester
Some tips for your application π«‘
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about leading a team and making a difference in the community. Share your experiences that highlight your passion for leisure and customer service.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored specifically for this General Manager position. Highlight your leadership experience in leisure or hospitality, and donβt forget to mention any relevant qualifications like the Pool Plant Operator. We love seeing how your background fits with what weβre looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the good stuffβyour skills and achievements!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. Itβs super easy, and youβll be able to showcase your application in the best light. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leisure People
β¨Know Your Venue Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you research the leisure venue thoroughly. Understand its mission, values, and the community it serves. This will help you demonstrate your enthusiasm and show that you're genuinely interested in leading the team.
β¨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about times when you motivated staff, improved customer service, or exceeded sales targets. This will highlight your proven leadership experience and operational focus.
β¨Emphasise Health & Safety Knowledge
Given the importance of health and safety in this role, be ready to discuss your understanding of relevant regulations and best practices. If you have a Pool Plant Operator qualification, mention it; if not, express your willingness to train and learn.
β¨Engage with Community Connections
Since building relationships with local schools and nurseries is key, think about how you can leverage your existing connections or ideas for outreach. Discussing your strategies for driving membership growth and customer retention will show your proactive approach.