Operations Director

Freedom Leisure; England; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charitable leisure trust in the UK is seeking an experienced Operations Director to oversee the strategic and operational performance of its leisure centres and cultural venues. The successful candidate will lead a team of Regional Managers, ensure excellent service delivery, and participate in strategic decision-making. Key qualifications include significant operational management experience in the leisure sector and strong interpersonal skills. The position requires flexibility for travel and presence at the Head Office in East Sussex.

Benefits

Company electric car plus car allowance

Up to 10% annual discretionary performance bonus

Enhanced company pension contributions

Contribution towards private medical insurance

Staff benefit scheme

Discounted staff membership

Incremental holidays

Qualifications

• Significant experience in operational management within the leisure sector.
• Ability to build, lead and motivate high-performing teams.
• Experience in business planning and developing operational strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support Regional Managers to achieve targets.
• Ensure high-quality service delivery across all centres.
• Drive customer-focused programming reflecting diversity commitments.
• Act as a liaison with local authority partners.
• Participate in Executive Team decision-making processes.
• Contribute to business planning and tender submissions.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation

Team orientation

Time management

Communication skills

Self-motivation

Education

Degree level education or equivalent

Job description

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 and creating spaces where people feel at home, supported and inspired.

We're looking for an experienced Operations Director to lead the strategic and operational performance of our leisure centres and cultural venues. You'll lead Regional Managers, drive commercial results, ensure exceptional service delivery and play a key role in shaping our organisational strategy as part of the Executive Team.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead, support and develop Regional Managers to achieve financial and operational targets
• Ensure high‑quality service delivery and well‑maintained facilities across all centres
• Drive customer‑focused programming and ensure services reflect our Diversity & Inclusion commitments
• Act as a senior liaison with local authority partners and maintain strong contract performance
• To participate fully in the Executive Team decision making processes
• Contribute to business planning, strategic development and tender submissions
• Champion positive leadership, clear communication and a high‑performance culture across your teams

The successful candidate will have significant experience in operational management within the leisure sector along with the ability to build, lead and motivate high‑performing teams.

You will also have experience of business planning, developing operational strategy and playing a key role in tender processes and contract mobilisation.

If you're driven and strive for excellence then we'd love 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.

Hours: 37 hours per week

Requirements

• Well developed interpersonal skills, able to negotiate and influence people both internally and externally
• Team orientated approach; able to work across organisation boundaries and demonstrate interest in and be supportive of colleagues
• Able to work flexibly with a high level of autonomy
• Mobility to travel across sites
• Good communication and presentation skills; able to think on your feet and respond to difficult questions
• Excellent time management skills - able to deal with a number of priorities at once and keep total workload in hand
• A self starter who inspires others with their passion and energy
• Education to degree level or equivalent is advantageous but not essential

Benefits

• Company electric car plus car allowance
• Up to 10% of annual salary Discretionary Performance Bonus Scheme
• Company pension with enhanced employer contribution rates
• Contribution towards private medical insurance
• My Staff Shop; our very own staff benefit scheme, gives employees access to a great range of benefits.
• Discounted Staff membership (including family members)
• Incremental holidays

Please note that the location can be flexible and negotiated on appointment but, as this role requires extensive travel to our sites and a regular presence at our Head Office in East Sussex (minimum of fortnightly) this is not a home working role.

Closing Date: 7th February 2026

Salary: up to £100,000 per annum

Freedom Leisure's commitment is that every qualified person will be evaluated according to skills regardless of age, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability status, or religion.