At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to create outstanding customer experiences in a brand-new leisure centre.
- Company: Join Southwark Council, committed to empowering residents and promoting community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Flexible hours with a focus on diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in leisure or customer service, strong leadership, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 45091 - 45091 £ per year.
Are you passionate about creating outstanding customer experiences? Are you ready to shape the future of leisure services and make a real difference in your community?
Southwark Council is offering an exciting opportunity to be part of our brand-new leisure centre, empowering residents to lead healthier, happier lives. We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Leisure Team Leader to join our growing team. If you have a passion for customer service, excellent leadership skills, and a commitment to delivering outstanding facilities, this is the perfect opportunity to make an impact in a dynamic environment at Southwark Leisure Centres.
About Southwark
Southwark is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes that are lived in by around 40% of our residents. Our borough is home to more than 18,300 businesses, including iconic cultural venues, major employers, and vibrant social enterprises. We are proud of our young, diverse, and growing population. We are committed to creating a just and fair Southwark, taking meaningful action to address inequalities. Our communities are our greatest strength, and our work is shaped by the values at the heart of Southwark Stands Together—our shared commitment to tackling racism, injustice, and inequality. These principles guide everything we do, including how we serve our residents and support our staff.
What You'll Be Doing
As a Leisure Team Leader, you’ll be responsible for overseeing daily operations, ensuring the highest standards of safety, cleanliness, and customer service, and leading a fantastic team of Recreation Assistants. Your leadership will drive the success of the centre, ensuring smooth operations while delivering a great experience for our visitors.
Your Key Responsibilities:
- Maintain the highest standards of safety, cleanliness, and security across all areas of the leisure centre, in line with all policies, procedures, and regulations.
- Provide effective, visible leadership to your team, ensuring high performance and adherence to procedures.
- Ensure your team deliver top-notch customer service, addressing customer queries and complaints professionally and promptly.
- Support the Duty Manager in maintaining operational standards, records, and financial procedures. Take on specific areas of responsibility as needed.
- Ensure the leisure centre opens on time and closes securely at the end of each day, following all necessary protocols.
- Maintain effective communication with the Line Manager and team ensuring smooth shift transitions and operational efficiency.
- Support the ongoing training and development of your team, conducting performance reviews and offering feedback to ensure continuous improvement.
What We're Looking For
We’re looking for a proactive and enthusiastic leader with a passion for customer service and team development. You’ll bring:
- Experience in a leisure or customer service-focused environment
- Strong leadership and team management skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
- The ability to stay calm under pressure and handle emergencies effectively
- A commitment to maintaining high operational standards
- A flexible, proactive attitude with a keen focus on continuous improvement
Additional Information
Closing date: 10th August 2026
Interview Date: 17th August 2026
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
This role is classed as Regulated Activity under safeguarding legislation. To help us ensure the safety and wellbeing of those we support, you’ll be asked to declare all cautions and both spent and unspent convictions as part of the recruitment process.
Southwark Leisure Services operates across several sites, seven days a week from early morning to late night. There is a requirement for the post holder on occasions, to work outside normal office hours and at different venues to meet the needs of the service.
Team Leader - Southwark, London employer: Move Southwark
Southwark Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a vibrant work culture that prioritises community impact and employee development. As a Leisure Team Leader in Southwark, you will not only lead a passionate team but also contribute to the well-being of a diverse population, all while enjoying opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to inclusivity. Join us in shaping a healthier future for our residents in a supportive environment that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Leader - Southwark, London
✨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 Move Southwark. 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 Move Southwark. 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 Team Leader - Southwark, London
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 Move Southwark 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 Move Southwark
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Move Southwark, 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.
