Health and Fitness Manager

Chelmsford City Council; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization is seeking an enthusiastic Health and Fitness Manager for the Chelmsford Sports and Athletics Centre. The role involves leading a high-performing team, managing gym activities, and ensuring community satisfaction. Candidates should demonstrate leadership skills, a keen interest in fitness, and have experience in leisure facility management. The position is full-time, covering various shifts from early morning to late evening, including weekends. Join us in shaping the future of health and fitness in the community.

Benefits

Job-share or part-time options available

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Comprehensive experience in managing leisure facilities.
• Ability to inspire and lead a high-performing team.
• Understanding of community needs in health and fitness.
• Flexibility to cover shifts and manage diverse responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Health and Fitness team and manage gym activities.
• Ensure the facility meets community expectations and safety standards.
• Act as Duty Manager during shifts for operational oversights.
• Drive membership growth and community engagement.

Skills

Leadership skills

Service excellence orientation

Team management

Fitness industry knowledge

Job description

Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre is one of the region’s premier sporting venues, offering first‑class indoor and outdoor athletics facilities for both elite athletes and the local community. As part of Chelmsford City Council’s commitment to delivering exceptional health and fitness services, our state‑of‑the‑art gym offers a fantastic facility for members and athletes alike.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and forward‑thinking Health and Fitness Manager to lead this newly enhanced facility. If you have a passion for the fitness industry, a strong focus on driving service excellence, and the leadership skills to inspire a high‑performing team, this is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of health and fitness at Chelmsford Sports and Athletics Centre.

The successful applicant will assume managerial control and responsibility of the Health and Fitness team with accountability for the effective and efficient delivery of all Gym and Studio activities. Ensuring the programme meets community needs, attracts new audiences and supports a vibrant and engaging fitness offer whilst also working to drive membership growth and retention.

The successful applicant will also be required to act as a Duty Manager, on a shift basis, to take responsibility for the day to day operation of the centre, ensuring the centre is well maintained, clean, safe and compliant with brand standards at all times, supporting every department, ensuring adequate staff coverage. The post holder will ideally have a comprehensive employment history of working within a leisure facility and have previous experience of managing staff.

This position is offered on a full‑time basis, working on a shift basis to cover the opening hours of the centre, from 5.15am to 11pm, including weekends and bank holidays.

Interviews are currently scheduled for the week commencing 2nd February 2026.

Please note should sufficient applications be received prior to the closing date, we may close the role for applications early.

As an accredited Essex Family Friendly Employer, this full‑time role can be job‑shared or part‑time if we can fill the remaining hours. Please mention this in your supporting statement. if you are interested. For more details please visit: https://www.essex.gov.uk/family-friendly-charter.

Chelmsford City Council is committed to safeguarding vulnerable groups and expects all employees to share this commitment and have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services. The Council's Safer Recruitment process contains pre‑employment checks which includes safeguarding training, obtaining references and ensuring compliance with Disclosure and Barring Service process.