General Manager in Kingston upon Thames

We are Places for People Group, a social enterprise that believes it's people that make a community. That's why we build homes and deliver services for everyone in the community to thrive. At Places Leisure, we are changing lives by creating active places and healthy people for communities to thrive, and we want to be the UK's leading health and wellbeing enabler. We apply the same philosophy to our People as we do to our communities, ensuring our team is appreciated and supported. At Places for People, you're more than just a number - you're part of our cause.

Kingston's brand-new leisure centre is set to open in Spring 2027, and we're looking for an exceptional General Manager to lead the journey. This is a unique opportunity to build a high-performing team, shape the culture, and establish a facility at the heart of the local community. You'll play a key role in the mobilisation and opening of this flagship centre, helping people improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life through outstanding facilities, programmes and customer experiences.

Reporting to the Contract Manager, you will lead the day-to-day operation of the centre, ensuring consistently high standards of service, presentation and cleanliness. You will identify and deliver strategic initiatives that drive commercial performance, achieve key operational targets, and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders. You will also be responsible for creating a welcoming and inclusive environment that encourages participation in sport, physical activity and wellbeing programmes. By understanding the needs of the local community, you'll ensure the centre delivers a diverse and engaging offer that attracts and retains customers.

You will be a strong leader with a commercial brain, able to evidence at interview where you have taken decisions that have improved the bottom line. You will be a skilled manager/coach and be able to motivate and develop your direct reports and wider team. Our business is fast moving and ever changing, and you will possess the capability to lead a team through change whilst delivering amazing customer service. Ideally, you will possess a background in leisure; alternatively, we would welcome applications from candidates from a hospitality background. However, more importantly to us is your ability to lead a fast moving business and maximise commercial value whilst delighting our customers.

We are a large, diverse and ambitious business, which will give you all the challenge you could wish for. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• A bonus scheme for all colleagues at 2%
• Full Health & Fitness membership for you, a nominated adult and up to 4 juniors
• Flexible working (including part time working, shift work and more)
• An opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
• Access to ongoing personal learning and development
• Access to our Company Pension scheme
• Cashback plan for healthcare costs – up to £500 saving per year
• Discounts of up to 50% on activities, centre shop and cafes
• Extra perks including huge discounts and offers from shops, cinemas and much more.

At Places for People, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We are committed to creating safe communities for our customers and colleagues by protecting children, young people, and adults at risk from harm, abuse, and neglect. We follow robust safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring all employees, volunteers, and contractors uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability. Our recruitment process includes pre-employment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where applicable, to promote a safe and secure working environment. By joining Places for People, you are expected to contribute to our safeguarding culture, following our policies and reporting concerns to protect those in our communities.