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- Tasks: Lead and enhance operations across multiple leisure facilities, ensuring top-notch service and safety.
- Company: Leisure United, a community-focused organisation dedicated to promoting health and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Shape the future of leisure services while inspiring teams and communities.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in leisure management, strong leadership, and commercial awareness required.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to equity, diversity, and community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 ÂŁ per year.
Organisation: Leisure United
Salary: 60k
Location: Field‑based across multiple sites within the North of England.
Contract type: Permanent
Closing date: 12 February 2026
Interview date: 27 February 2026
Responsibilities:
- STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP & OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE: Deliver high‑quality facilities. Ensure a safe, inclusive, and premium experience for all users across your hub portfolio. Lead, support, and hold General, Dual site and Cluster Managers accountable for consistent service delivery and facility standards. Maintain outstanding facility standards and ensure consistent operational excellence, driving external validation through audit, compliance, and quality assurance processes. Develop, in conjunction with the COO, and support delivery of an operational business plan for all hubs in your portfolio aligned to organisational strategy. Conduct both announced and unannounced audits to drive service standards across all business areas. Monitor customer feedback systems and lead service‑improvement initiatives across your area. Contribute to strategic planning, business development, and service innovation. Promote and implement environmentally sustainable practices across operations in collaboration with the Head of Facilities and wider operational teams.
- BOARD, SMT & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT: Report regularly to the Senior Management Team (SMT) on business performance. Develop and implement both commercial and social outcomes in line with Leisure United’s strategic direction. Work collaboratively with the wider Development Team to align operations with organisational priorities. Engage proactively with Board‑level expectations and contribute to strategic discussions.
- Commercial Performance & Financial Management: Drive commercial success and operational efficiency to create financially resilient hubs across your area, including memberships, programmes, secondary spend, and pricing strategies. Develop and monitor all operational budgets, income targets, and cost controls. Share best practice across your management teams. Track and manage KPIs through site scorecards to drive performance and accountability.
About You
- ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE: A minimum of ten years’ experience of managing in a leisure centre environment, multi site environment. Experience working in or with a charitable leisure trust or community-based organisation. Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify and develop new business opportunities. Experience and evidence of managing staff. Experience of direct budget management and reporting. Ability to work within and develop a team environment. Evidence of excellent customer care standards. Development and maintenance of partnerships and multi-agency working. Evidence of having taken Health & Safety responsibility. Experience devising and implementing business plans and management of business KPIs. Proven success of managing and operating leisure and sports facilities including strategy setting, innovation, improvement, and change management. Working with a wide range of partners to promote participation in sport and physical activity. Experience with multiple CRM’s, POS systems, or facility management systems. Experience of managing safeguarding systems.
- ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS: Ability to motivate and lead others. Excellent interpersonal skills. Customer orientated. Ability to manage priorities and time effectively. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to plan, organise, and co-ordinate effectively. Ability to deal with conflict and difficult people under pressure. Up to date knowledge of Health and Safety and the ability to undertake Risk Assessments. Numerate and IT literate, including Microsoft Office.
- PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES: Strategic, visionary and values-driven leader. Collaborative, approachable and inspiring with a focus on enabling others. Confident, resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced and growing environment. Committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. Diplomatic and trusted, with high levels of integrity and professional credibility. Passionate about supporting people and communities to thrive.
- EDUCATION & TRAINING: Level 5 qualification and working towards further First Aid Certificate.
Additional Information: To be able to work independently and use own initiative. To be able to lead, develop and inspire teams. To be able to make sound decisions under pressure. Ability to respond, manage and control emergency situations efficiently and effectively, in line with agreed procedures, training and protocols. To maintain a professional, competent, and personable demeanor. Strong commitment to equality and diversity. Ability to work effectively with the public while maintaining a strong commitment to safeguarding and the safety of children, the young people and vulnerable adults. Knowledge of commercial catering operations.
Senior Operations Manager employer: Leisure United
Contact Detail:
Leisure United Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the leisure industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Senior Operations Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity that’s not even advertised yet!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their operational goals and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out as someone who’s genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your leadership style and how you've driven operational excellence in previous roles. Use specific examples that showcase your ability to manage teams and improve service delivery.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in managing leisure centres and multi-site operations. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Leisure United!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Senior Operations Manager, you'll need to lead teams effectively. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership style and any successful initiatives you've implemented in previous roles.
Highlight Your Commercial Acumen: We’re looking for someone with strong commercial awareness. Be sure to include examples of how you've driven financial success and operational efficiency in your past positions.
Keep It Professional Yet Personable: While we appreciate professionalism, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through! Show us your passion for supporting communities and how you embody our values of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leisure United
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Familiarise yourself with strategic leadership, operational excellence, and how to maintain high facility standards. This will help you speak confidently about your relevant experience and how it aligns with the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to lead and motivate teams. Think of specific instances where you've held managers accountable or driven service improvements. Highlighting your interpersonal skills and how you've managed conflict will also resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Be Ready for Numbers
Since this role involves budget management and financial performance, brush up on your numerical skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've developed and monitored budgets in the past, and think about how you can drive commercial success in this new position.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Research Leisure United’s mission and values, especially their commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. During the interview, express your passion for supporting communities and how your personal attributes align with their organisational goals. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture.
