General Manager

Active Life; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts

Gym membership

Friendly, inclusive workplace

Ongoing training and development

Opportunities to progress in theLeisur

Job summary

Active Life is seeking an experienced General Manager for Herons Leisure Centre in Maidstone to lead daily operations, foster a welcoming team, and ensure safe, high-quality services for the community. You will manage budgets, drive participation, and develop programmes that meet local needs.

We are looking for a confident leader who blends commercial awareness with a commitment to wellbeing, delivering outstanding customer experiences while maintaining safe and financially sustainable

Qualifications

• Experience leading a leisure centre or similar busy customer-facing operation.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with ability to motivate teams.
• Experience managing budgets, controlling costs and using financial information to monitor performance.
• Solid understanding of health and safety, safeguarding and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operation of the leisure centre, ensuring facilities are safe, welcoming and well managed.
• Develop and support the team, setting clear expectations and building an inclusive culture.
• Manage budgets, monitor income and expenditure, and optimise resources to meet financial targets.
• Oversee health and safety, safeguarding and operational compliance with proper records and checks.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Customer service

Budget management

Health & safety

Team development

Job description

As General Manager at Active Life, you'll take responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and overall performance of Herons Leisure Centre. You'll lead a welcoming, inclusive team, oversee safe and efficient operations, manage budgets and resources, and develop services that meet the needs of our community. Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the day-to-day operation of the centre, ensuring facilities and services are safe, welcoming and well managed.
• Leading, supporting and developing the team, setting clear expectations and building a positive, inclusive working culture.
• Managing budgets, monitoring income and expenditure, and using resources effectively to achieve agreed financial objectives.
• Overseeing health and safety, safeguarding and operational compliance, ensuring procedures, checks and records are maintained.
• Driving membership growth, retention and participation through high-quality services and a strong focus on customer needs.
• Working with colleagues to develop activity programmes, promote centre services and identify opportunities to increase community engagement.
• Championing excellent customer service, overseeing the resolution of complaints and using feedback to improve the customer experience.
• Monitoring operational and financial performance, maintaining accurate records and reporting progress against agreed targets.
• Overseeing cleanliness, presentation and maintenance, coordinating repairs and improvements to keep facilities ready for use.
• Planning staffing and rotas to meet operational needs, supporting recruitment, induction and ongoing training.
• Building positive relationships with customers, community groups and partners to support accessible and inclusive leisure opportunities.
• Leading continuous improvement, responding to operational issues and working with colleagues to deliver centre and organisational objectives.

We're looking for an experienced, motivated and community-focused General Manager to lead our team at Active Life. If you're passionate about inspiring teams, delivering excellent customer experiences and helping more people become active, we'd love to hear from you.

We're looking for a confident, approachable leader with experience of managing teams and busy customer-facing operations. You'll combine commercial awareness with a genuine commitment to community wellbeing, balancing excellent service with safe, efficient and financially sustainable operations. You'll communicate clearly, take ownership of challenges and support your team to deliver a welcoming and inclusive experience for everyone.

Experience of managing a leisure centre or a comparable customer-facing operation, with responsibility for day-to-day service delivery.

• Strong leadership and communication skills, with experience of supporting, developing and motivating teams to deliver excellent customer service.
• Experience of managing budgets, controlling costs and using financial and operational information to monitor performance and inform decisions.
• A sound understanding of health and safety, safeguarding and operational compliance, alongside strong organisation, problem-solving and digital skills.
• Be flexible and willing to work a variety of shifts, including early mornings, evenings and weekends.
• Share our commitment to creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone in our community feels valued., Active Life is committed to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare. The successful candidate may be asked to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

At Active Life, we are at the heart of our community, committed to creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where everyone feels valued, supported and able to thrive. We believe that being active should be accessible to everyone, and we're passionate about helping people of all ages and abilities lead healthier, happier and more active lives.

At Active Life, we support our people to thrive. In return for your hard work and commitment, we offer:

• Employee discounts.
• Gym membership to help you stay active.
• A friendly, supportive and inclusive workplace.
• Ongoing training and development.
• Opportunities to build your skills and progress within the leisure industry.

Ready to join us? If you're ready to lead and support a dedicated team and make a positive difference in your community, we'd love to hear from you. Bring your leadership experience, customer focus and passion for active lifestyles to Active Life.