General Manager

Freedom Leisure; Bridgwater; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Cycle-to-work scheme

Staff membership discount (including a

Employee Assistance Programme

Annual leave entitlement

Staff benefits scheme

Training and career progression

Job summary

Freedom Leisure is seeking a General Manager for Trinity Sports and Leisure Centre in Somerset. The role requires entrepreneurial ability, strong financial acumen and a passion for high standards, with the goal of driving sales, income and cost efficiency within a welcoming community leisure centre.

You will lead and motivate the centre team, manage budgets, report KPIs, and build partnerships with customers and stakeholders to deliver an outstanding member experience and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years' experience in leisure facilities.

Responsibilities

• Business & Sales Management: accountable for the centre's performance, budget and cost centres.
• Operational Management: lead the team to maintain excellent standards and safe, welcoming activities.
• People Management: recruit and develop staff to deliver high‑quality leisure offerings and meet KPIs.
• Engage with internal/external customers and the local community to grow participation and income.
• Produce reports on centre operations and KPI metrics, reporting to Area Manager.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial awareness

People management

Budgeting

Sales & community engagement

Stakeholder liaison

Job description

Do you want to make a difference within your local community, supporting people to improve their lives through leisure?

If you feel driven to inspire people to be more active, improve their wellbeing and would like a job that will make a real difference to local people’s lives then Freedom Leisure is the place for you!

We are a not-for-profit leisure trust with a strong purpose and commitment to support our local communities and hard-to-reach groups encouraging them to become more active, contributing to improved lives. From swimming lessons, to walking football and everything in-between we are driven to provide fun and welcoming sessions to support the whole community to be active, both within our leisure centres and in the local community.

We are looking for a General Manager to look after Trinity Sports and Leisure Centre in Somerset.

We are looking for a Manager with proven entrepreneurial ability, financial acumen, who has a passion for high standards and can demonstrate a history of taking ownership and delivering results. You will have excellent commercial awareness which you can translate into the successful running of popular Leisure Centres. The ability to drive sales/income and ability to manage expenditure are key qualities for this role. Other key qualities would be the ability to lead, motivate and support the centre team and to be able to work with internal and external customers/stakeholders/local community.

Your responsibilities will be varied and include:

Business & Sales Management - Accountability for the business, budgetary and cost centre performance across the whole Centre. Ensuring that sales are driven forward, developing the business plan and leading colleagues to achieve key performance targets.

Operational Management – leading the team to ensure excellent operational standards and record keeping is in place. Working with the team to provide all activities in a safe and welcoming environment.

People Management – Managing and recruiting a team where necessary, to deliver an exciting leisure offering to the highest standards, so that the service delivers the financial performance in line with the bid proposal, and deliver our services in a way to engage with the whole community. Provide the necessary support and leadership to colleagues for ongoing management and development of all.

You should have the necessary skills and experience to lead the Centre and engage the local community. The person we are looking for will have the ability to manage a number of priorities at the same time; will be able to build, lead and motivate colleagues and have a passion for the leisure and cultural services and events. The ability to deliver on tight deadlines under pressure is absolutely essential.

We want our employees and customers to have the best experience possible. So, if this sounds like you, we want to hear from you.

Hours: 37 hours a week, Monday to Sunday

Requirements

To develop and grow the membership, activity and attendance at the site

To manage and be responsible for the centre's income and expenditure

To be the lead contact at site and report to the Area Manager

To ensure that Freedom Leisure Policies, Procedures and Processes are fully adhered to

To ensure the relevant site audits processes are managed

To produce reports on various areas of the centre's operation and KPI's

At least 3 years' experience in leisure facilities

Experience of identifying staff training and development requirements and identifying development opportunities

A passion for the industry demonstrated through continuous professional development

We want you to love coming to work, feeling healthy, happy and valued. That's why we've developed a benefits package with you in mind, so what can we offer you?

Company pension

Cycle-to-work and car leasing tax-efficient schemes

Discounted staff membership (including family members)

Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential, independent and professional counselling

Incremental annual leave entitlement

My Staff Shop employee benefits scheme, offering discounts on cinema tickets, travel, high street e-vouchers, gift cards, days out, leisure activities and everyday spending

Fully funded training and development, with career progression opportunities

Various insurance and savings schemes

Salary: up to £33,895 per annum