Leisure Centre General Manager - Bexley Crook Log, Erith & Sidcup

Overview

As the General Manager, you will have full strategic and financial accountability for the Bexley sites. You will be a visible leader, splitting your time across the three sites to support your teams and champion the highest standards. Lex Leisure is seeking an exceptional General Manager to lead our three key leisure centres in the London Borough of Bexley: Crook Log, Erith, and Sidcup. This senior multi‑site leadership role requires inspiring teams, driving commercial success, and delivering outstanding services.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Developing and executing a unified strategy for the sites, ensuring all three centres meet and exceed their commercial and community‑impact targets.
• Financial Management: Taking full P&L accountability, meticulously managing budgets, driving revenue (particularly membership, swim schools, and secondary spend), and controlling costs.
• Operational Excellence: Guaranteeing the highest standards of operation, customer service, cleanliness, and health & safety across all facilities, including fitness studios, sports halls, and pool areas.
• Team Development: Leading, mentoring, and inspiring your Centre Managers and wider teams. Foster a positive, high‑performance culture focused on staff development and exceptional service.
• Stakeholder Management: Acting as the key liaison for Lex Leisure, building and maintaining a strong, collaborative relationship with partners at Bexley Council and other community stakeholders.
• New Business: Be technically able and play a proactive role in securing new business.

Are you a strategic and commercially‑minded leisure leader ready to make a tangible impact on community health?

Qualifications

• Senior Leisure Management: Significant experience in a senior role (e.g., General Manager, Centre Manager of a large site) within the leisure industry.
• Commercial Acumen: Proven track record of managing large budgets, full P&L responsibility, and successfully driving revenue growth.
• Inspirational Leadership: Demonstrable experience in leading, motivating, and developing multi‑disciplinary teams to achieve ambitious goals.
• Operational Expertise: Deep understanding of health and safety, quality management, and operational standards within a busy leisure environment.
• Stakeholder Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and manage relationships with partners, clients, and the public.

Desirable Experience

• Swimming Pool Operations: Experience managing facilities with swimming pools, including programming (e.g., swim schools) and pool plant operations.
• PFI Contract Management: Experience working within a PFI (Private Finance Initiative) contract or a similar complex local authority partnership.

Benefits and Compensation

• Competitive Salary: £55,000 per annum.
• Autonomy & Impact: Senior strategic role with autonomy to shape the success of your sites.
• Benefits Package: Incremental annual leave, free gym membership for you and a nominated person, employee discount portal, Cycle to Work scheme, company sick pay, career progression, training and development.