Lifeguard

Freedom Leisure; Tenterden; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading leisure trust in Tenterden is seeking a Lifeguard to provide excellent customer service and ensure the safety of all visitors. You will engage with a diverse clientele and maintain a friendly, clean environment. Candidates must be competent swimmers and are encouraged to apply regardless of their prior experience. Enjoy a supportive workplace with extensive training opportunities and a benefits package that promotes health and happiness at work.

Benefits

Discounted staff membership

Incremental holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Must be a competent swimmer and pass a swim test.
• Engage effectively with customers of all ages.
• Open to training for lifeguarding skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure friendly and clean facilities for customers.
• Provide safety and assistance in the leisure centre.
• Work effectively as part of a team across various departments.

Skills

Customer engagement

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Flexible working

Passion for leisure industry

Education

NPLQ qualification or equivalent

Job description

Join the Energy at Freedom Leisure – Do Good Feel Good!

At Freedom Leisure, we’re all about positive vibes, great people, and making a real impact. Yes, we run leisure and cultural facilities, gyms, and swimming pools—but at the heart of it all, it’s our people who make the difference.

As one of the UK’s leading charitable leisure trusts, we’re proud of our mission of Improving Lives Through Leisure. We’re here to help communities live healthier, happier lives by making our centres welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to everyone - because everyone deserves to feel good. We’re all about delivering amazing customer service with a smile—every single day. We create spaces where people feel at home, supported, and inspired.

If you’re passionate about helping others and love creating great experiences, you’ll feel right at home with us. You don’t need to be an expert to get started - we’ll give you all the training and support you need. With over 130 centres across England and Wales, there’s loads of room to grow. Many of our team have built amazing careers doing what they love, helping customers day‑to‑day and making people feel good.

We’re proud to be a workplace where everyone is welcome, valued, and supported to thrive—because when our team reflects the communities we serve, we all grow stronger together.

Tenterden Leisure Centre provides an exciting range of activities for residents and visitors alike. Including a leisure pool, a fitness suite, exercise studios and sports hall providing a wide range of activities. The centre also boasts a lovely café providing a focal point for the community.

If you like talking to people, this is definitely the role for you. We understand that engaging with customers and colleagues is not as easy as it sounds and sometimes comes with experience. We will provide all the training needed to be a successful Lifeguard but we also believe that employing people from a mix of employment backgrounds can offer a wider benefit to our team, some of which might be in their first ever job and need more support from their colleagues.

In the role of Lifeguard, you will ensure the best levels of service are achieved for our customers through offering a friendly, clean and safe facilities.

We’re not looking for the next Duncan Goodhew but you will need to be able to swim competitively. If you need extra coaching to get to the level needed to become a lifeguard, don’t worry as one of our excellent swim teachers will be able to support you to improve.

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.

Hours: 37 hours a week, Monday to Sunday (Rota basis)

• NPLQ qualification or equivalent (training can be provided)
• Enhanced DBS check
• Competent swimmer – swim test will need to be completed as part of the interview process.
• An ability and understanding of how to relate to customers of all ages and abilities and also to all levels of staff.
• Well developed interpersonal skills.
• Team orientated approach, able to work across organisation boundaries and demonstrate interest and be supportive of the work of staff and colleagues.
• To be able to work flexibly and understand instructions from managers.
• Demonstrated passion and energy for the leisure industry.

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?

• 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

Closing Date: 23rd January 2026

Salary: up to £23,555 per annum