General Manager - Full Time - Braintree Swimming and Fitness

Freedom Leisure; Braintree; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A not-for-profit leisure trust is seeking a General Manager for their Braintree Swimming and Fitness centre. This role focuses on driving business performance, managing operations, and developing a team to deliver high-quality leisure services. Ideal candidates will have at least 3 years of experience in leisure facilities and a passion for improving community wellbeing. The position offers a salary of up to £33,000 per annum and various employee benefits.

Benefits

Staff benefit scheme

Discounted staff membership

Incremental holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Company pension

Financial advice

Fully funded training opportunities

Qualifications

• At least 3 years' experience in leisure facilities.
• Experience in identifying staff training and development requirements.
• Passion for the industry demonstrated through continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Manage business, budgetary, and cost centre performance across the whole centre.
• Ensure excellent operational standards and record keeping.
• Recruit and manage a team to deliver high service standards.

Skills

Business & Sales Management

Operational Management

People Management

Job description

Overview

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 and improve their wellbeing, and you would like a job that will make a real difference to local people’s lives, 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 and 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 Braintree Swimming and Fitness centre.

Responsibilities

• 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 delivers 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 staff.

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 KPIs.
• 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.

Benefits

• My Staff Shop, our staff benefit scheme, gives employees access to a range of benefits including discounts on cinema tickets, travel bookings, high street e-vouchers, gift cards, days out, leisure activities and everyday spending.
• Discounted staff membership (including family members).
• Incremental holidays.
• Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 confidential, independent and professional counselling.
• Company pension.
• Various insurance and saving schemes.
• Financial advice.
• Cycle-to-work and Car Leasing tax-efficient schemes (salaried staff only, depending on earnings).
• Fully funded training and career progression opportunities in a team-working environment supporting your local community to improve lives through leisure.

Closing and Salary

Closing date: 8th October 2025.

Salary: up to £33,000 per annum.