At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations and create unforgettable experiences for our community.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking social enterprise focused on wellbeing.
- Benefits: Free gym membership, discounts, and wellness perks await you!
- Other info: Make a real impact while enjoying excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a transformed leisure centre and inspire your team.
- Qualifications: Experience in leisure or hospitality; leadership skills are a must.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Job Type: Full Time - 40 hours per week
Proposed Start Date: January 2026
Be the Face of Our Transformed Site – Centre Manager Wanted!
We’ve invested big. We’ve transformed our site. Now we need you to lead it. The Walnuts Leisure Centre has been fully refurbished and is set to relaunch as a leading destination for health, fitness, and community life. This is your chance to step into a career-defining role where you’ll shape its future, inspire your team, and create unforgettable experiences for thousands of members.
What You’ll Do
- Run the show – oversee daily operations and deliver excellence across the centre.
- Inspire your team – motivate, develop, and lead from the front.
- Grow the business – drive memberships, bookings, and revenue.
- Engage the community – build partnerships, deliver innovative programmes, and get people talking.
- Set the standard – ensure safety, service, and operations are second to none.
Who You Are
- A natural leader with experience in leisure, fitness, hospitality, or a similar sector.
- Commercially sharp and operationally strong.
- Energetic, people-focused, and ready to make an impact.
- Qualified (or ready to qualify) in First Aid, Pool Plant, and Health & Safety.
Why This Role Rocks
- You’ll take charge of our premier site as it reopens.
- Huge opportunity to make your mark and shape the centre’s culture.
- Backed by a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that invests in its people.
Perks You’ll Love
- Free gym, leisure, and golf membership for you and one member of your household.
- Fitness and Wellbeing benefits.
- Employee discount on food & drink.
- Pension & Early Pay option.
- Awards & recognition for outstanding achievement.
- Retail, Cinema and Travel discounts and offers through our benefits portal.
- Cycle to work and salary sacrifice schemes including holiday and car purchase.
- 24/7 support via our Employee Assistance Programme.
- Refer a friend and earn a bonus.
This is more than a management job—it’s a chance to lead something exciting, ambitious, and transformational. Ready to take charge of our premier site? Apply now and start your next big chapter at Walnuts Leisure Centre.
Interested? Here’s a little more about us: We are an independent social enterprise on a mission to improve wellbeing through our range of accessible services. These include golf, swimming, gyms, bowling, social and health programmes at 20 locations across Bromley, the Midlands and Hampshire. We reinvest our profits into the long-term wellbeing of our local communities and our staff to ensure we deliver the best service possible. To date we’ve helped hundreds of thousands of people to live a happier and healthier lifestyle and you can become a part of giving back to the community!
All offers of employment are conditional upon you signing the contract of employment and:
- Satisfactory health clearance;
- Two satisfactory references;
- Proof of attainment of qualifications;
- Evidence of your right to work in the United Kingdom; and
- Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if needed for the role.
Mytime Active applies its Equal Opportunities Policy at all stages of recruitment and selection. Mytime Active reserve the right to remove the advert for this role as required.
Centre Manager - Walnuts Leisure Centre - Orpington, London employer: Southwark Leisure
At Mytime Active, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions personal and professional growth. As the Centre Manager at the newly transformed Walnuts Leisure Centre in Orpington, you'll enjoy a range of benefits including free gym memberships, wellness perks, and a supportive environment that encourages innovation and community engagement. Join us in making a meaningful impact while leading a dedicated team in a role that truly matters.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Centre Manager - Walnuts Leisure Centre - Orpington, 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 Southwark Leisure. 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 Southwark Leisure. 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 Centre Manager - Walnuts Leisure Centre - Orpington, 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 Southwark Leisure 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 Southwark Leisure
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Southwark Leisure, 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.
