Assistant General Manager

Leisure People; Luton; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Contributory pension

Free swimming and off-peak gym

Cycle to work scheme

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Leisure People in Luton is seeking an Assistant General Manager to oversee diverse sports, leisure, swimming and fitness facilities. You will lead operational teams, drive health & safety, and shape programming across Aquatics or Group Exercise depending on your background.

The role includes day-to-day centre operations, a marketing support function, and handling customer inquiries to maintain excellent service levels.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing multi-faceted venue operations including health and safety.
• Experience coaching, developing, leading and organising large teams.
• Experience in managing budgets and financial targets.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage operational teams across multiple sites; recruit, develop and performance-manage staff.
• Take lead on health & safety or programming (Aquatics/Group Exercise) depending on experience.
• Monitor and improve programmes to meet community needs and financial targets; deliver new projects/events.
• Oversee day-to-day operations to ensure cleanliness, safety, compliance and reliable operations.
• Support marketing and promotion of centre programmes and activities.
• Handle customer inquiries and complaints to ensure high levels of service.

Skills

Team leadership

Health & safety

Aquatics programming

Group exercise programming

Budget management

Customer service

Staff recruitment

Communication skills

Job description

We are looking for an Assistant General Manager to support with running several diverse multi-faceted sports, leisure, swimming and fitness facilities in the Luton area.

Our client is an ambitious progressive Leisure Trust who are on a mission to increase the health, well-being and physical activity levels of the communities they serve. They continue to invest in their teams, their existing facilities and services, and with more sites opening in 2026 this is a fantastic opportunity to develop and grow professionally.

Overview of the role

• Lead and manage the operational teams, including recruitment, development, and performance management.
• Take the group lead on either health and safety, Aquatics Programming or Group Exercise Programming depending on your experience and skill set.
• Monitor and improve programmes and services to meet community needs and achieve financial targets and help deliver new projects and events.
• Take responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Centre's to ensure they are clean, safe, compliant and in great working order.
• Support with marketing and promoting of the centre's programmes and activities.
• Handle customer enquiries, complaints and ensuring high levels of service delivery
• Work a shift pattern of 8.00 to 16.00 or 12.00-20.00 Monday to Friday and working one in three weekends.
• Support the wider business and act as General Manager in their absence.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 3 days after 5-years' service.
• Opportunity to buy extra holiday.
• Contributory pension.
• Year on year basic salary increase.
• Ongoing investment into your professional development with additional qualifications and courses.
• Free swimming and off-peak gym membership.
• Discounted golf, sports hire and food and drink
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Working for a supportive, inclusive, fun organisation with a genuine purpose to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities they serve.

The ideal candidate:

• Passionate about delivering a great customer experience and increasing the health and wellbeing of your community.
• Comprehensive experience in managing multi-faceted venue operations including health and safety.
• Experience in coaching, developing, leading and organising large teams.
• Experience in managing budgets.
• Fitness, sports or leisure management industry experience possibly as a Club Manager, Centre Manager or Deputy General Manager looking to join and progress with a bigger organisation or an exceptional Operations Manager or Head of department ready for the next step.
• Experience in swimming pool operations or the willingness to undertake your National Pool Lifeguard and pool plant operators' qualifications through the company as part of the onboarding process.
• Have your own transport or living in Luton for easy access to the centres on a shift basis.