General Manager - Full Time - Halstead Leisure Centre

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

Job summary

A community-focused leisure organization is seeking a General Manager for the Halstead Leisure Centre. The ideal candidate will have a track record in the leisure sector, excellent commercial awareness, and leadership skills to enhance the local community's engagement and promote well-being. The role includes managing business performance, operational standards, and a dynamic team, ensuring high-quality service delivery and community involvement. Competitive salary of up to £31,000 per annum and various employee benefits are offered.

Benefits

Discounted Staff membership

Incremental holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Company pension

Fully funded training and career progression

Qualifications

• At least 3 years’ experience in leisure facilities.
• Ability to develop and grow membership and activity.
• Experience in managing income and expenditure.

Responsibilities

• Accountability for business performance across the Centre.
• Leading a team to ensure operational standards.
• Managing and recruiting a high-performing team.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Leadership

Motivational skills

Time management

Financial acumen

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, 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 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 Halstead Leisure Centre.

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:

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 deliver our services in a way to engage with the whole community. Provide the necessary support and leadership to colleagues for ongoing management 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.

In the event that a high volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.

Requirements

• 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.

Benefits

• My Staff Shop, our very own staff benefit scheme, gives employees access to a great range of benefits. Get discounts on cinema tickets, travel bookings, high street e-vouchers, gift cards, days out, leisure activities and your day to day 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).
• All this as well as fully funded training and career progression opportunities in a team working environment supporting your local community to improve lives through leisure.

Closing date: 8th October 2025

Salary: up to £31,000 per annum