General Manager - Full Time - Applemore Leisure Centre

Freedom Leisure; Dibden; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Cycle-to-work scheme

Staff membership

Employee Assistance Programme

Training and progression

Job summary

Freedom Leisure is seeking a General Manager for Applemore Leisure Centre in the New Forest. You will lead all aspects of centre performance, drive sales and income, and maintain high operational standards to deliver a welcoming and safe environment for the local community.

You will manage staff, budgets and stakeholder relationships to achieve the centre's targets. The ideal candidate has at least 3 years' experience in leisure facilities, strong commercial awareness, and proven ability to lead

Qualifications

• Proven entrepreneurial ability to drive business growth.
• Strong financial acumen and budgeting experience.
• Leadership of centre teams with motivation and development.
• Ability to drive sales and income while managing expenditure.
• Excellent commercial awareness and stakeholder management.
• Experience in leisure facilities is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Business & Sales Management: accountability for centre performance, budgeting and cost centres, driving sales and implementing the business plan.
• Operational Management: lead the team to deliver high standards and safe, welcoming activities.
• People Management: recruit and lead staff, support development, and manage performance.
• Member growth: develop membership, activity, and attendance at the site.
• Reporting: produce reports on KPIs and site operations.

Skills

Entrepreneurial ability

Financial acumen

People leadership

Sales leadership

Commercial awareness

Budgeting

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 different to local people’s lives then Freedom Leisure is the place for you!

We are a not-for-profit leisure trust with we have 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 our Applemore Leisure Centre in New Forest.

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.

Hours: 37 hours a week, Monday to Sunday

• 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
• Financial advice
• 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

Closing date: 2nd October 2026

Salary: up to £39,934 per annum

Freedom Leisure is proud to be an equal opportunities employer.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.