Leisure Duty Manager

Serco; Oxford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

21 days’ holiday

Free gym membership

Free safeguarding training and DBS

Free swimming lessons for one child

6% employer matched pension

Training and development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Wisdom wellbeing app

Personal Trainer discounts

Retail discounts

MoreLeisure benefits site

Job summary

Serco Leisure is seeking a Duty Manager for Barton Leisure Centre in Oxford. You’ll lead daily operations, ensuring a safe, welcoming environment and high service standards for customers of all ages.

Prior experience in leisure/hospitality/retail management is essential, with lifeguard qualifications and a focus on safety. You will manage opening/closing, rosters and programme delivery, while supporting sales, customer engagement and community health initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leisure, hospitality or retail management.
• Lifeguard background with supervisor experience
• Strong understanding of health and safety practices, with confidence to lead during high-pressure or emergency situations
• Commercial awareness and experience supporting sales, customer engagement or service improvement initiatives
• Ability to organise, prioritise and manage multiple operational demands effectively
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and motivate others
• A proactive, hands‑on approach, taking pride in maintaining high standards and delivering a great customer experience
• Confident and capable swimmer
• Valid National Pool Lifeguard Qualification or willingness to work towards it
• Valid National Pool Plant Operators certificate or willingness to work towards it

Responsibilities

• Lead on health, safety and quality, ensuring compliance with legislation, maintaining safe systems of work and taking control during incidents and emergencies
• Drive commercial performance by supporting sales activity, member retention and excellent customer service standards
• Oversee daily operations, including opening and closing the centre, managing rotas and ensuring programmes are delivered effectively
• Monitor the facility and proactively resolve issues to maintain high standards of cleanliness, safety and presentation
• Lead, coach and develop colleagues, supporting growth and consistent performance across the team
• Act as a visible leader, building trust with customers and responding positively to feedback, queries and community needs
• Support with Lifeguarding duties as required

Skills

Leisure management

Lifeguard supervision

Health & safety

Sales & service

Organization

Communication

Team leadership

Swimming

Job description

Location: Barton Leisure Centre, Oxford, OX3 8GA

Salary: £30,000 to £31,500 per annum plus excellent benefits

Schedule: Permanent, Full-time, 40 hours per week

Ready to impact a better future?

Leisure Solutions Community Trust encourages active, healthy lifestyles across the local community. Providing affordable access to a wide range of sports and leisure facilities in a safe, clean, friendly and welcoming space, their goal is to support healthier and happier lives for everyone. Delivering these services relies on an enthusiastic, customer-focused team, and they're now looking for a Duty Manager to join their team and help make a positive difference every day.

As a Duty Manager, you'll lead the day-to-day operation of the leisure centre, helping create a safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment for customers of all ages. By supporting colleagues, maintaining high standards and ensuring activities run smoothly, you'll have a positive impact on communities, helping more people stay active, connected and healthy while contributing to a better future.

What You’ll Do As a Duty Manager

• Lead on health, safety and quality, ensuring compliance with legislation, maintaining safe systems of work and taking control during incidents and emergencies
• Drive commercial performance by supporting sales activity, member retention and excellent customer service standards
• Oversee daily operations, including opening and closing the centre, managing rotas and ensuring programmes are delivered effectively
• Monitor the facility and proactively resolve issues to maintain high standards of cleanliness, safety and presentation
• Lead, coach and develop colleagues, supporting growth and consistent performance across the team
• Act as a visible leader, building trust with customers and responding positively to feedback, queries and community needs
• Support with Lifeguarding duties as required

Does this sound like you?

• Proven experience in leisure, hospitality or retail management
• Lifeguard background with supervisor experience
• Strong understanding of health and safety practices, with confidence to lead during high-pressure or emergency situations
• Commercial awareness and experience supporting sales, customer engagement or service improvement initiatives
• Ability to organise, prioritise and manage multiple operational demands effectively
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and motivate others
• A proactive, hands‑on approach, taking pride in maintaining high standards and delivering a great customer experience
• Confident and capable swimmer
• Valid National Pool Lifeguard Qualification or willingness to work towards it
• Valid National Pool Plant Operators certificate or willingness to work towards it

What We Offer

• 21 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Free gym membership for you and your immediate family
• Free safeguarding training and DBS checks
• Free swimming lessons and holiday clubs for one child (50% off for additional children)
• 6% employer matched pension contribution
• Training and development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme, Wisdom wellbeing app, Personal Trainer discounts
• Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment, travel, and gym equipment
• Learn more at www.moreleisure.org/employee-benefits

Vetting and checks

An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role. This includes spent and unspent convictions, cautions, and any relevant information held by local police, in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and safeguarding requirements. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire to allow us to provide any support needed for you to succeed in the role.

Serco Leisure is one of the UK's leading national operators of leisure centres, destination venues and elite sporting facilities, managing sites, services and recruitment on behalf of the Leisure Trust.

Our Inclusive Recruitment Commitment

We prioritise your skills and potential, and champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
• Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).

Please note, for many of our roles, a DBS check will be required.

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